Ben Shelley: Islanders to face Hurricanes in first round of playoffs

Alternatively, you could just write one blog and leave it here. I don't think anyone posts over there, except Bingo, and he usually finds his way here anyway.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
1h
Lambert also confirms Barzal will be in Game 1 lineup.

Barzal coming back GM 1 hopefully sets fire to Bo and helps the pathetic PP.

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!

Barzal coming back GM 1 hopefully sets fire to Bo and helps the pathetic PP.

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!


- HolyDiver83

Some pretty incredible timing.

Barzal coming back GM 1 hopefully sets fire to Bo and helps the pathetic PP.

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!


- HolyDiver83

At the very least, it'll give Carolina something they have to plan for. Lee-Horvat-Bailey/Holmstrom...you probably just roll whatever line/d-pair is next. With Barzal on the right side instead, there's more danger there and you're probably matching up accordingly. Maybe that frees up Nelson's line a bit as well.

At the very least, it'll give Carolina something they have to plan for. Lee-Horvat-Bailey/Holmstrom...you probably just roll whatever line/d-pair is next. With Barzal on the right side instead, there's more danger there and you're probably matching up accordingly. Maybe that frees up Nelson's line a bit as well.
- UIF

Bo is a different player with Barzal for sure. Will not be easy in terms of timing and Barzal being out all this time.

Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
1h
Lambert also confirms Barzal will be in Game 1 lineup.


- UIF

- Wildschwein

Yeah, I was beginning to think the "day-to-day" thing would drag on until it was too late to matter.

Uif, as the quote is broken, yes barzal causes coverage issues because now 2 lines in theory can score and the 3rd will chip in too. It also gives them way better possesion and zones exits/entries. Couple that with horvat at the dot and they can posses the puck alot and hopefully keep it away from the canes

Uif, as the quote is broken, yes barzal causes coverage issues because now 2 lines in theory can score and the 3rd will chip in too. It also gives them way better possesion and zones exits/entries. Couple that with horvat at the dot and they can posses the puck alot and hopefully keep it away from the canes
- Upstate_isles

Hopefully it all goes the way we're drawing it up!

Yeah, I was beginning to think the "day-to-day" thing would drag on until it was too late to matter.
- UIF

He saod he could have played with 2 or 3 games left but believed in the boys and took the extra rest........he's got a lot of faith

He saod he could have played with 2 or 3 games left but believed in the boys and took the extra rest........he's got a lot of faith
- Upstate_isles

God bless him if he watched that Washington game and still had absolute unshakable confidence in the boys for the Montreal game

God bless him if he watched that Washington game and still had absolute unshakable confidence in the boys for the Montreal game
- UIF

If he did, then the lad obviously hadn’t finished taking his pain killers.

God bless him if he watched that Washington game and still had absolute unshakable confidence in the boys for the Montreal game
- UIF

Right wtf barzy

If he did, then the lad obviously hadn’t finished taking his pain killers.
- Wildschwein

Uif, as the quote is broken, yes barzal causes coverage issues because now 2 lines in theory can score and the 3rd will chip in too. It also gives them way better possesion and zones exits/entries. Couple that with horvat at the dot and they can posses the puck alot and hopefully keep it away from the canes
- Upstate_isles

I have to say that I am more concerned with the D, then I am with the forwards. The D has been having trouble with their regrouping in neutral zone that has lead to a lot of turnovers. They also seem to be running around a lot in their own zone.

If the Isles win...It will be because Sorokin was a wall...

In looking at this lineup...Who do you think will step up this year? Engvall

Key line: Parise-Pageau-Fasching

I have to say that I am more concerned with the D, then I am with the forwards. The D has been having trouble with their regrouping in neutral zone that has lead to a lot of turnovers. They also seem to be running around a lot in their own zone.

If the Isles win...It will be because Sorokin was a wall...

In looking at this lineup...Who do you think will step up this year? Engvall

Key line: Parise-Pageau-Fasching
- Nfdbulldawg

Fasching seems like he’s the kind of player that may excel in the playoffs.

I have to say that I am more concerned with the D, then I am with the forwards. The D has been having trouble with their regrouping in neutral zone that has lead to a lot of turnovers. They also seem to be running around a lot in their own zone.

If the Isles win...It will be because Sorokin was a wall...

In looking at this lineup...Who do you think will step up this year? Engvall

Key line: Parise-Pageau-Fasching
- Nfdbulldawg

I expect barzal and horvat to step up

I expect barzal and horvat to step up
- Upstate_isles

I would hope that’s more of a given and it doesn’t take Barzal too long to get up to speed. Need horvat to get hot again.

I would hope that’s more of a given and it doesn’t take Barzal too long to get up to speed. Need horvat to get hot again.
- Cptmjl

Nelson line has been good and 3rd line can chip in but if that line can click they have a chance. Canes speed and forecheck still scares me but to me that line us the key

Nelson line has been good and 3rd line can chip in but if that line can click they have a chance. Canes speed and forecheck still scares me but to me that line us the key
- Upstate_isles

100%. Need pretty much everyone to be on their game to have a shot in this series. Sorokin is going to have to be elite which is usually not an issue for him. Hope to see a couple of semi unexpected, big, contributors, like Fasching or Engvall. Need those kind of things to happen for a good run.

100%. Need pretty much everyone to be on their game to have a shot in this series. Sorokin is going to have to be elite which is usually not an issue for him. Hope to see a couple of semi unexpected, big, contributors, like Fasching or Engvall. Need those kind of things to happen for a good run.
- Cptmjl

Psyched Barzal is back as you guys have been discussing. Hope Romanov gets back soon to. Bolduc concerns me. Wish they gave Wotherspoon a couple spins to see where his game was. of all the depth defenders that played this past year, he seemed to have the most poise back there.

I have to say that I am more concerned with the D, then I am with the forwards. The D has been having trouble with their regrouping in neutral zone that has lead to a lot of turnovers. They also seem to be running around a lot in their own zone.

If the Isles win...It will be because Sorokin was a wall...

In looking at this lineup...Who do you think will step up this year? Engvall

Key line: Parise-Pageau-Fasching
- Nfdbulldawg

The D struggling this year has been a big surprise. It's not like the Islanders are playing the Doug and Cappy system. Are the forwards not helping out as much?

Sorokin will really need to carry the team. It will be interesting to see how Engvall plays along with Bo and how Barzal looks after being out so long.

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