On April 22nd the islanders had an 11 point lead on the Rangers 6 days later it's down to 5. If we get swept in this set with the Rags it's one. Islanders except for Boston have 3 teams that are out of the playoffs Rangers buffalo and the devils. There is no reason to miss the playoffs with that easy schedule. If they do with that easy schedule then everyone will be fired. All the Islanders have to do is split this series and we are in.
- Hockeyislife

have to score on that 4-on-3 .. they passed the puck about 47 times... insanity. shoot the frggin puck and crash the friggin net. .. maddening. (Bailey another 2 or 3 give aways on the power play right as we were finally set up in O-zone. dumb passes, dumb lazy plays... the guy just stinks).
- niteislander

A couple of games ago they mentioned that isles players are told to NOT shoot unless they have a clear line to the net. I can't remember if it was AJ or Butch and Burke who said that, but that seems concerning. Naturally the Isles are and have been a team that relies heavily on puck possession. They appear at times to be so obsessed with maintaining that possession that they pass up opportunities. The power play is a complete example of that. Normally when a team struggles, you begin to just throw anything at the net and hope for a greasy goal on a rebound or deflection. Instead, the Isles become less aggressive and continually overpass hoping for that infallible opportunity. I think THAT is their biggest issue right now.

A couple of games ago they mentioned that isles players are told to NOT shoot unless they have a clear line to the net. I can't remember if it was AJ or Butch and Burke who said that, but that seems concerning. Naturally the Isles are and have been a team that relies heavily on puck possession. They appear at times to be so obsessed with maintaining that possession that they pass up opportunities. The power play is a complete example of that. Normally when a team struggles, you begin to just throw anything at the net and hope for a greasy goal on a rebound or deflection. Instead, the Isles become less aggressive and continually overpass hoping for that infallible opportunity. I think THAT is their biggest issue right now.
- keaner17

I remember that as well. I thought yeah you don’t want to give up possession but you can’t give up opportunities to get pucks on net especially for this team. I agree they need to find a happy medium.

Also, Coburn should not see the lineup unless we have no choice. The team as a whole is struggling but these lineup decisions are pretty absurd. The guy looks like he’s skating in cement. I’ll also add if you’re going to pull anyone out of the backend it should be mayfield who has had an absolute abortion of a season.

A couple of games ago they mentioned that isles players are told to NOT shoot unless they have a clear line to the net. I can't remember if it was AJ or Butch and Burke who said that, but that seems concerning. Naturally the Isles are and have been a team that relies heavily on puck possession. They appear at times to be so obsessed with maintaining that possession that they pass up opportunities. The power play is a complete example of that. Normally when a team struggles, you begin to just throw anything at the net and hope for a greasy goal on a rebound or deflection. Instead, the Isles become less aggressive and continually overpass hoping for that infallible opportunity. I think THAT is their biggest issue right now.
- keaner17

Baby steps...let's worry about completing two passes on a breakout first so they're not spending 2+ minute shifts hemmed in their own zone. I feel like the offense will take care of itself once they're not spending 3/4 of every shift chasing the other team around.

Also, Coburn should not see the lineup unless we have no choice. The team as a whole is struggling but these lineup decisions are pretty absurd. The guy looks like he’s skating in cement. I’ll also add if you’re going to pull anyone out of the backend it should be mayfield who has had an absolute abortion of a season.
- Cptmjl

The Islanders have the goaltending to cover up the mistakes on the back end. The problem is the idoitic lineup decisions and the offense and pp. No margin for error at all one mistake by barzal game over might as well shut off the game. If Georgiev is in goal both games the Islanders will be cleaning out there lockers may 11th.

Well...better win two against the Rangers if they want to be able to take a deep breath and finish out the season with, what should be, four easier games out of five.

Baby steps...let's worry about completing two passes on a breakout first so they're not spending 2+ minute shifts hemmed in their own zone. I feel like the offense will take care of itself once they're not spending 3/4 of every shift chasing the other team around.
- UIF

So true. I agree totally.

The Islanders have the goaltending to cover up the mistakes on the back end. The problem is the idoitic lineup decisions and the offense and pp. No margin for error at all one mistake by barzal game over might as well shut off the game. If Georgiev is in goal both games the Islanders will be cleaning out there lockers may 11th.
- Hockeyislife

They really deserve to miss the playoffs, rags will be 5 back if they win tonight and we play them 2x
- Upstate_isles

Seems like since the trades were made the team lost is interest and heart, these new guys are not helping the team at all.

These next two games against the Rangers should be fun. Looks like Schwein will get his fix of a playoff series vs them as this is pretty much what these next two games are for both of these teams IMO. If this doesn't get the Isles going not sure they ever will. Can't imagine they won't be ready to play.

A couple of games ago they mentioned that isles players are told to NOT shoot unless they have a clear line to the net. I can't remember if it was AJ or Butch and Burke who said that, but that seems concerning. Naturally the Isles are and have been a team that relies heavily on puck possession. They appear at times to be so obsessed with maintaining that possession that they pass up opportunities. The power play is a complete example of that. Normally when a team struggles, you begin to just throw anything at the net and hope for a greasy goal on a rebound or deflection. Instead, the Isles become less aggressive and continually overpass hoping for that infallible opportunity. I think THAT is their biggest issue right now.
- keaner17

That makes sense for the d-men b/c u don't want to create a short handed break away or odd man rush.. but no one moving around and just passing it back and forth until Bailey decides to force a stupid pass is idiotic.

Trots has said many times in his post game that they need to get pucks to the net and try to put bodies in front... that is exactly what we all want and what they did last game for 2 goals. Throw it at the net and crash.

defensively last night they didn't play badly... almost all shots were from perimeter and even when they got pinned in their own zone for a long time they didn't get a ton of great opportunities. It was one horrible give away by Pulock and lazy play by Barzal that cost them the game.

They had some great chances too that they didn't convert. Bailey's shot from between dots, Palmieri's shot, couple of redirects... just not scoring when they get the chances. frustrating...

Well...better win two against the Rangers if they want to be able to take a deep breath and finish out the season with, what should be, four easier games out of five.
- eichiefs9

If they aren't up for these games then we aren't going to do jack sht in playoffs anyway..

I did not think it was possible for Bailey to get any slower. Boy is he bad lately. This team needs speed and needs the kids in the lineup no matter what the rest of the way.

Baby steps...let's worry about completing two passes on a breakout first so they're not spending 2+ minute shifts hemmed in their own zone. I feel like the offense will take care of itself once they're not spending 3/4 of every shift chasing the other team around.
- UIF

I'm not so sure about that 'taking care of itself part'. Being hemmed in has been a problem on occassion and certainly was last night, but the teams overall attack zone time this season is okay. Meanwhile they rank 26th in the league for SOG. The mindset on the pp has been consistent through the season and was on full display last night when they managed one shot on net during 1:13 of 4x3. You can't score if you don't shoot and despite being outplayed, outmuscled and outhustled, they had opportunities but didn't take advantage.

I'm not so sure about that 'taking care of itself part'. Being hemmed in has been a problem on occassion and certainly was last night, but the teams overall attack zone time this season is okay. Meanwhile they rank 26th in the league for SOG. The mindset on the pp has been consistent through the season and was on full display last night when they managed one shot on net during 1:13 of 4x3. You can't score if you don't shoot and despite being outplayed, outmuscled and outhustled, they had opportunities but didn't take advantage.
- keaner17

Bailey passing back and forth with Pulock for an entire powerplay without anyone else touching the puck or getting a shot on goal tells you all you need to know about their powerplay. I was mesmerized in disbelief watching Bailey sitting at the half boards motionless holding the puck then passing to Pulock and vice versa. No matter how many times I see it it doesn’t become any less ridiculous. Then Trotz throws him back out there and tells the media how wonderful he is. Laviolette and the Caps had to be cracking up watching our pp it is an absolute gong show.

I’ll preface this by saying I believe they get it together and go in hot to the playoffs. I said that last week and I still believe it. With that said wow what a disappointment Zajac and Palmieri have been so far. The team as a whole has been terrible and I’m sure that’s just a by product of it but they are an absolute, complete, non factor.

I’ll preface this by saying I believe they get it together and go in hot to the playoffs. I said that last week and I still believe it. With that said wow what a disappointment Zajac and Palmieri have been so far. The team as a whole has been terrible and I’m sure that’s just a by product of it but they are an absolute, complete, non factor.
- Cptmjl

I think Lou really messed up not getting Hall at the deadline. We needed offense... and Hall was MVP of the league not too long ago.. he is motivated to play for a contract and can score and create goals. Palmieri is exactly like a lot of other guys on this roster. Good 2 way player that is not an Elite offensive talent.

I think Lou really messed up not getting Hall at the deadline. We needed offense... and Hall was MVP of the league not too long ago.. he is motivated to play for a contract and can score and create goals. Palmieri is exactly like a lot of other guys on this roster. Good 2 way player that is not an Elite offensive talent.
- niteislander

I wanted Palmieri I thought he was the better fit and I still think the trade will pay off but man up to this point it doesn’t look good.

These next two games against the Rangers should be fun. Looks like Schwein will get his fix of a playoff series vs them as this is pretty much what these next two games are for both of these teams IMO. If this doesn't get the Isles going not sure they ever will. Can't imagine they won't be ready to play.
- TogaIsles

They better play cause I can't stand ranger fans yelling at me after a rag win at the game

They better play cause I can't stand ranger fans yelling at me after a rag win at the game
- Upstate_isles

worst fans in hockey... Yankee fan attitude with Cubs history.

I wanted Palmieri I thought he was the better fit and I still think the trade will pay off but man up to this point it doesn’t look good.
- Cptmjl

Hopefully you end up right and Hall disappears in playoffs and Pamieri goes nuts.

Hopefully you end up right and Hall disappears in playoffs and Pamieri goes nuts.
- niteislander

The whole team needs to go nuts. I feel they will before we go into the playoffs.

They better play cause I can't stand ranger fans yelling at me after a rag win at the game
- Upstate_isles

Oh that's right you're going tomorrow. Do something different that normal so they win this time. Maybe visit the glory hole after the game!