Ah, I'm with Jimmy here...I think what we see is what we get at this point, unless there's a monumental collapse. I don't agree with it, but how much more time am I going to waste puzzling over it? I'm hoping the first line serves as a good enough decoy for other teams' best shutdown players and that the second and third lines step up their scoring against weaker competition. And then we can just laugh at how hard everyone tries to make "first line Leo" a good thing that totally works.

My favorite is when this first line, like once over a five-game span, will do something other first lines do regularly and the entire broadcast team acts like the happy parent of the little league right fielder who finally gets a hit. "You see?! Look! They did a first line thing! I'm so proud!" I thought Shannon and Butch were going to take Leo out for ice cream when he scored.
- UIF

100%

The Goring diarrhea of the mouth routine after Leo scored exclaiming the incredible chemistry he has with Barzal after scoring once in 38 games was over the top

As far as the rest of your post that’s the only maybe positive with him being there is a possible “decoy” but I’m sure opposing coaches will focus there attention elsewhere. Not to tough to look at a stat line

Well if the thought process is to go into the playoffs with Komarov as a first line winger that’s pretty insane. Trotz should be trying different players besides Zajac and Komarov the next five games imo.
- Cptmjl

For whatever reason they seem to like him there. I don't expect it to change. Especially after a strong win last night.

Ah, I'm with Jimmy here...I think what we see is what we get at this point, unless there's a monumental collapse. I don't agree with it, but how much more time am I going to waste puzzling over it? I'm hoping the first line serves as a good enough decoy for other teams' best shutdown players and that the second and third lines step up their scoring against weaker competition. And then we can just laugh at how hard everyone tries to make "first line Leo" a good thing that totally works.

My favorite is when this first line, like once over a five-game span, will do something other first lines do regularly and the entire broadcast team acts like the happy parent of the little league right fielder who finally gets a hit. "You see?! Look! They did a first line thing! I'm so proud!" I thought Shannon and Butch were going to take Leo out for ice cream when he scored.
- UIF

It is ridiculous.

The 'i dont know why he works with that line, he just does' is nauseating. On a personal level everyone seems to like Leo. That's why Lou brought him in, since he wanted his personality in the lockeroom. That seems to carry over to people like Butch and Shannon becoming cheerleaders for him. We've beat the 'Leo doesn't belong on the top line' to death at this stage.
I remain concerned that when clamp down playoff style hockey sets in, the Isles are defensively capable but offensively challenged. That became apparent against both the Caps and Bruins where they went 0-5 with a 15-4 scoring disadvantage. It's notable that the acquisition of Hall appears to have made a difference in the dynamic of our matchup with Boston.
While the Rangers have been winning games, theyve been doing so against the likes of the Devils, Flyers and Sabres. It's the parity aspect that suggests this isn't about hot and cold spells for the Isles, but maybe matchup problems. They're certainly capable of getting it together against those teams, but that top line isn't going to tilt the ice against Pitt, Bos or Was.

The 'i dont know why he works with that line, he just does' is nauseating. On a personal level everyone seems to like Leo. That's why Lou brought him in, since he wanted his personality in the lockeroom. That seems to carry over to people like Butch and Shannon becoming cheerleaders for him. We've beat the 'Leo doesn't belong on the top line' to death at this stage.
I remain concerned that when clamp down playoff style hockey sets in, the Isles are defensively capable but offensively challenged. That became apparent against both the Caps and Bruins where they went 0-5 with a 15-4 scoring disadvantage. It's notable that the acquisition of Hall appears to have made a difference in the dynamic of our matchup with Boston.
While the Rangers have been winning games, theyve been doing so against the likes of the Devils, Flyers and Sabres. It's the parity aspect that suggests this isn't about hot and cold spells for the Isles, but maybe matchup problems. They're certainly capable of getting it together against those teams, but that top line isn't going to tilt the ice against Pitt, Bos or Was.
- keaner17

No need to stop now. It’s been going on since Lee went down

Also PO hockey is here at this point with the teams being so close to each other in the standings and the importance of every game whether you make the POs or not imo.

No need to stop now. It’s been going on since Lee went down

Also PO hockey is here at this point with the teams being so close to each other in the standings and the importance of every game whether you make the POs or not imo.
- nyisles7

I think at this stage teams like the Rangers are further exposed as to why they aren't going to make it. The difference between time and space allowed by them in the last two games compared to Boston and Washington is night and day. The Rangers are simply not on that level.

For whatever reason they seem to like him there. I don't expect it to change. Especially after a strong win last night.
- JimmyP

Most likely right.

I think at this stage teams like the Rangers are further exposed as to why they aren't going to make it. The difference between time and space allowed by them in the last two games compared to Boston and Washington is night and day. The Rangers are simply not on that level.
- keaner17

I don’t think The Rags are Boston or Washington either but the importance of the games now are PO type games imho. I mean the loss last night really hurt their chances and another loss Saturday will be devastating to there chances and we know the Isles need wins as well.
When the Isles play their game they can beat anyone in my opinion. They need to get back to that level and last night was a good start. Shutting out the Rags offense is a good start. They need to build off that and get on a roll going into the POs and think they will.

I don’t think The Rags are Boston or Washington either but the importance of the games now are PO type games imho. I mean the loss last night really hurt their chances and another loss Saturday will be devastating to there chances and we know the Isles need wins as well.
When the Isles play their game they can beat anyone in my opinion. They need to get back to that level and last night was a good start. Shutting out the Rags offense is a good start. They need to build off that and get on a roll going into the POs and think they will.
- nyisles7

They're going to have to string together a couple good games, which is entirely possible with the schedule they have coming up, for anyone to really feel comfortable IMO.

They're 21-4-2 against non-playoff teams and 9-11-3 against the three other teams they'll see in the playoffs. That's a concerning statistic heading into the postseason.

The good news is that the Isles are definitely a team built for playoff hockey. They stumbled into a long shutdown last year and had a great run in the playoffs, despite the prior struggles. I don't think anyone is trying to be too negative, but there are definitely some concerning issues and only 6 games left to get those fixed.

They're going to have to string together a couple good games, which is entirely possible with the schedule they have coming up, for anyone to really feel comfortable IMO.

They're 21-4-2 against non-playoff teams and 9-11-3 against the three other teams they'll see in the playoffs. That's a concerning statistic heading into the postseason.

The good news is that the Isles are definitely a team built for playoff hockey. They stumbled into a long shutdown last year and had a great run in the playoffs, despite the prior struggles. I don't think anyone is trying to be too negative, but there are definitely some concerning issues and only 6 games left to get those fixed.
- eichiefs9

Totally agree Chiefs.

First... Wahlstrom needs to stay in he lineup.
Second...Someone needs to put their arm around Barzal and tell him to focus. Leave the chippy sh!t to others and focus on the game.

First... Wahlstrom needs to stay in he lineup.
Second...Someone needs to put their arm around Barzal and tell him to focus. Leave the chippy sh!t to others and focus on the game.
- Nfdbulldawg

As long as he plays like he did last night I don’t think that will be a problem.

Islanders suck, especially Leo and Bailey. We are doomed in the POs as Other teams in the POs are much better than us.

State of the team on HB thread 4/30/2021

Edit: need to ad Barry needs to be fired for line up decisions
- nyisles7

- Upstate_isles

Pulse of the HB Isles thread 5/1/2021:

“Calm before the storm when the lineups are released.”

Pulse of the HB Isles thread 5/1/2021:

“Calm before the storm when the lineups are released.”
- nyisles7

- JohnScammo

Wake up Gramps, new blog.