Anyone that missed that game the other night against the Rangers missed an absolute classic. Not only because the Isles squeaked out a 5-4 win, but because of all the fights. I swear, I haven’t seen that many fights in an Islanders game since we had Mick Vukota and Rich Pilon on the team.

However, my biggest enjoyment of that game by far was seeing the DP vs. Montoya fight. While it would have been even better if it was Lundquist in there, any Islander fan had to feel even better about having DP in net after that. Sticking up for Simon who basically got jumped like he picked a fight with the wrong person on Flatbush Ave., DP did the right thing there.

My only question to the Rangers is, why not let Hollweg right his own battles? Even in the preseason, I’m sure that these two were thinking about going at it considering all the bad blood. So why not let it happen? Why step in like that? All I know is I would have been pissed if one of my teammates jumped into one of my fights, especially if it was with someone I had a history with.

Anyway, talking hockey with my buddy Eric Faynberg the other day, who should be launching a Rangers blog in the next few days called BleedingBoadwayBlue.com [nice name right? Glad I came up with it!] and he said that he thinks the Isles are going to come in last place this season, basically due to how much better the teams around them have gotten. That is unless Mike Comrie can have a career season. Strangely enough, I agree, but not with the last place prediction.

If Comrie scores 75 points and Guerin can chip in another 35 goal season, with youngsters like Jeff Tambellini and Sean Bergenheim chipping in 20-goal seasons, the Isles will be just fine. Guys like Hunter and Sillinger are going to be consistent, but their offense will simply not be enough. The big names we signed this season [if we can really call them that] aren’t enough. Seeing the way Comrie has played so far this preseason, I think he knows it’s time for him to take his career to the next level.

As far as Guerin and the youngsters go, I think they’ll be fine too. They just have to get enough playing time and work hard on both ends of the ice. Ted Nolan is a veteran coach who likes veteran players, so look for Guerin to get a ton of ice time regardless, but if these kids do what they have to do on the ice, they’ll reap the benefits. Look at how much ice time Bruno Gervais got in the playoffs last year when he was playing sound defensively. If these kids can play responsibly in their own zone and score in bunches, I think they’ll be with the team all season.

Miro Satan is also in the last year of his contract as well, so I think that guy may sneak under the radar after a mediocre 27 goal season.

Add in all of that and a ton of heart and grit and I think this Isles team still has a chance to make the playoffs this season, they just have to stay focused and play as a team. Dropping the gloves in support of one another is a good way to start that.

Posted under Isles Thoughts 2007