Ben Shelley: Islanders bounce back for important win over Devils

Would not say that Palms has been best player since the deadline. He is starting to produce as the team has expected from the very beginning. You can say he is the hottest Islander with 13 points in March.

I would Sorokin in Goal...undecided on D...Hudson Fasching upfront. As best.

Fasching has brought a energy and life...8 of his 15 points have come in March.
Nelly 8 points with honorable mention.
Parise 7 points in March.

Would not say that Palms has been best player since the deadline. He is starting to produce as the team has expected from the very beginning. You can say he is the hottest Islander with 13 points in March.

I would Sorokin in Goal...undecided on D...Hudson Fasching upfront. As best.

Fasching has brought a energy and life...8 of his 15 points have come in March.
Nelly 8 points with honorable mention.
Parise 7 points in March.
- Nfdbulldawg

Fasching has been great addition - to me, Palmieri picking up the pace offensively has been a difference-maker over the last couple weeks.

Bringing this over from the previous blog.....

Yesterday @ 10:52 PM ET
6-4 redwings. How do we handle prosperity against a team we don’t perform well against? Big question.
- potvin05


The Caps are going to be in desperation mode, much like the Sabres were on Saturday. They play a physical game, led by Ovechkin and Wilson. Because, as you mention, the Isles have looked bad against them this season, I would look to shake things up a little. I would start Varly in goal as a reward for his good play in a losing cause against the Sabres. And I would even consider starting Ross Johnston, both for his physical play, and for whatever he can do to discourage Wilson from taking liberties with his hits. The only thing worse than the Isles losing again to the Caps in regulation would be losing and also suffering an injury to another key guy.

****Ducks for cover****.

Bringing this over from the previous blog.....

Yesterday @ 10:52 PM ET
6-4 redwings. How do we handle prosperity against a team we don’t perform well against? Big question.
- potvin05


The Caps are going to be in desperation mode, much like the Sabres were on Saturday. They play a physical game, led by Ovechkin and Wilson. Because, as you mention, the Isles have looked bad against them this season, I would look to shake things up a little. I would start Varly in goal as a reward for his good play in a losing cause against the Sabres. And I would even consider starting Ross Johnston, both for his physical play, and for whatever he can do to discourage Wilson from taking liberties with his hits. The only thing worse than the Isles losing again to the Caps in regulation would be losing and also suffering an injury to another key guy.

****Ducks for cover****.

- JohnScammo

Well we'll probably find out shortly once morning skate gets going.

I don't think there's a chance Varly plays and I think he will get his cookie for a strong outing this weekend on one of the back-to-backs with either TBL or CAR.

I do think there's a chance Johnston draws in but I don't necessarily agree that it's a good idea. I assume Holmstrom would be pretty much the only logical name to come out for him (unless they sit Bolduc and dress 13F, 5D) and I'm not so sure dressing Johnston to play 6 minutes is a smart choice with the 2pts being the most important thing. I'd rather run the small risk of Wilson doing something stupid than essentially play a forward short all night.

Tarik El-Bashir @Tarik_ElBashir
now
Milano (upper body) is on the ice for the #Caps’ optional morning skate. Wearing a no-contact jersey. Wouldn’t expect him to play tonight vs. NYI.

Bringing this over from the previous blog.....

Yesterday @ 10:52 PM ET
6-4 redwings. How do we handle prosperity against a team we don’t perform well against? Big question.
- potvin05


The Caps are going to be in desperation mode, much like the Sabres were on Saturday. They play a physical game, led by Ovechkin and Wilson. Because, as you mention, the Isles have looked bad against them this season, I would look to shake things up a little. I would start Varly in goal as a reward for his good play in a losing cause against the Sabres. And I would even consider starting Ross Johnston, both for his physical play, and for whatever he can do to discourage Wilson from taking liberties with his hits. The only thing worse than the Isles losing again to the Caps in regulation would be losing and also suffering an injury to another key guy.

****Ducks for cover****.

- JohnScammo

Pass on Ross. I don't want him and Martin in the same lineup again. We have an undertalented forward lineup that I would rather not further dilute for the sake of a quick fight and 58 minutes of bench time.

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
now
Nelson wearing a full face shield this morning.

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
50s
Same lines and D-pairs for #Isles

Ilya Sorokin in the starter’s net.

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
now
Nelson wearing a full face shield this morning.


- eichiefs9

Maybe just testing it if it was 'suggested'?

Maybe just testing it if it was 'suggested'?
- keaner17

Maybe. I don't recall him getting anything up high last game? I could have certainly missed it. Or maybe something happened in practice since then.

Well we'll probably find out shortly once morning skate gets going.

I don't think there's a chance Varly plays and I think he will get his cookie for a strong outing this weekend on one of the back-to-backs with either TBL or CAR.

I do think there's a chance Johnston draws in but I don't necessarily agree that it's a good idea. I assume Holmstrom would be pretty much the only logical name to come out for him (unless they sit Bolduc and dress 13F, 5D) and I'm not so sure dressing Johnston to play 6 minutes is a smart choice with the 2pts being the most important thing. I'd rather run the small risk of Wilson doing something stupid than essentially play a forward short all night.
- eichiefs9

No, I totally agree not to play with only 5 D. I had Holmstrom in mind. He was pretty quiet in the last game, despite sitting out the previous game (when Bailey returned).

Pass on Ross. I don't want him and Martin in the same lineup again. We have an undertalented forward lineup that I would rather not further dilute for the sake of a quick fight and 58 minutes of bench time.
- keaner17

The thing is, if he does fight, it's gonna be with Wilson. Getting Wilson and Johnston off the ice for 5 minutes is a trade I do any day of the week.

I agree the forward line up is somewhat under-talented, but nothing else has worked against the Caps this season, so I was just looking to shake things up a little.

The thing is, if he does fight, it's gonna be with Wilson. Getting Wilson and Johnston off the ice for 5 minutes is a trade I do any day of the week.

I agree the forward line up is somewhat under-talented, but nothing else has worked against the Caps this season, so I was just looking to shake things up a little.
- JohnScammo

Even if a slight edge goes to Wilson, Martin should be able to handle him adequately if things go sideways.

I don't anticipate either team will be running around like shitheads with an extremely-important two points on the line tonight.

I think the drawback of putting Johnston in the lineup to barely play, and be terrible when he does, outweighs the benefit of him maybe getting Wilson off the ice for 5 minutes.

Maybe. I don't recall him getting anything up high last game? I could have certainly missed it. Or maybe something happened in practice since then.
- eichiefs9

Well, he got stitches near his eye two games ago. I'm sure that's it.

Even if a slight edge goes to Wilson, Martin should be able to handle him adequately if things go sideways.

I don't anticipate either team will be running around like shitheads with an extremely-important two points on the line tonight.

I think the drawback of putting Johnston in the lineup to barely play, and be terrible when he does, outweighs the benefit of him maybe getting Wilson off the ice for 5 minutes.
- eichiefs9

Wilson won't fight, he'll run away and the Isles will probably get the extra penalty. There is no reason for Ross to play for the rest of the season.

Even if a slight edge goes to Wilson, Martin should be able to handle him adequately if things go sideways.

I don't anticipate either team will be running around like shitheads with an extremely-important two points on the line tonight.

I think the drawback of putting Johnston in the lineup to barely play, and be terrible when he does, outweighs the benefit of him maybe getting Wilson off the ice for 5 minutes.
- eichiefs9

As much as I love a tough guy in the lineup I agree with you. You can't dress him anymore going forward. Points are too valuable at this time of the year. Plus I've lost a little faith in RJ. He hasn't done very well against heavyweights his or close to his size. Kind of disappointed to be honest lol

Wilson won't fight, he'll run away and the Isles will probably get the extra penalty. There is no reason for Ross to play for the rest of the contract.
- JimmyP

Fixed

As much as I love a tough guy in the lineup I agree with you. You can't dress him anymore going forward. Points are too valuable at this time of the year. Plus I've lost a little faith in RJ. He hasn't done very well against heavyweights his or close to his size. Kind of disappointed to be honest lol
- Vukota

I've kinda felt that way for awhile now. I can't recall him really beating the wheels off anyone decisively anytime recently.

I've kinda felt that way for awhile now. I can't recall him really beating the wheels off anyone decisively anytime recently.
- eichiefs9

Nope only guys smaller then him. I think he has lost his last 5 fights or so. Not saying he got killed by he doesn't do much against guys his size. Lot's of holding on. Maybe a little gun shy since Morin on Philly dropped him

I wouldn't mind replacing RJ with Deslauries next year

I wouldn't mind replacing RJ with Deslauries next year
- Vukota

- eichiefs9

If they are going to continue to carry a tough guy as the 13th forward I would rather have Deslauries that's all

If they are going to continue to carry a tough guy as the 13th forward I would rather have Deslauries that's all
- Vukota

Maybe Iskhakov can be a goon

Maybe Iskhakov can be a goon
- eichiefs9