This was the game I was waiting for about a week ago, when the Islanders looked like the ‘93 Ottawa Senators. Now that they have their jam and spunk back to an extent, this game against the New York Rangers should be a ton of fun.

Let’s now pretend that the team is not playing the hated-Broadway Blueshirts. Let’s be unbiased and fair in assessing the quality of this team. Between the pipes, I feel like they have one of the top three tandems in the league in Henrik Lundqvist and Steve Valiquette. On defense however, I feel they are extremely overrated. Sure, Dan Girardi and Mark Staal are exciting and promising youngsters, but overpaid veterans the likes of Michal Rozsival, Paul Mara, Dmitri Kalilin and Wade Redden make this defense nothing special in my opinion.

If their mediocre defense wasn’t enough, I think their offense has been just as average. I mean seriously, how many people who follow this sport would have thought at this point in the season that Doug Weight and Mark Streit would have more points than Markus Naslund, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez? Definitely not me. Now ask yourselves this question: Is this because Naslund Drury and Gomez have been that bad this season, or because Weight and Streit have been that good? I, personally, think it’s a little bit of both.

The Rangers do have players the likes of Aaron Voros and Ryan Callahan that have been very good role players this season, but that alone doesn’t produce a first place team. If not for the on and off again play of Nikolai Zherdev and the goaltending they’ve gotten this season, the Rangers would be battling for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. There’s a reason why they were trying so hard to get Mats Sundin and may in fact get Brendan Shanahan back before the All Star break; they desperately need offense.

Because of this, the Rangers are far from untouchable. If the Islanders can continue to skate the way they have been the past two games and get a quality outing from whoever is in net, they’re be in great shape. The line of Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Mike Comrie was skating their tails off in Buffalo and if they can continue to battle and someone like Trent Hunter can start contributing a bit more [ he hasn't scored since Dec. 4 and only has three points in his last nine games], the Islanders should be able to make this an entertaining game.

Stay tuned.

Posted under 2008-2009, Pregame Musings

It was the kind of game that almost had me fling one of my animals across the room. By the time the game was 5-1, I let off a scream that signaled loud and clear that the next person or thing that pissed me off was going to get a size 16-wide Perry Ellis dress shoe right in the arse. Rather than change the channel, I forced myself to sit through one of the worst hockey games I’ve ever seen in my 16 and a half year tenure as an Islander fan

Because of that, my poor dog and cat were stuck on the cold floor, nestled next to each other in my bedroom doorway, wondering why they couldn’t be up on the warm bed with their burly and usually-affectionate master.

I’ll tell you why, because this team is an absolute disaster right now. Watching an Islander game over the past two weeks is like the morning after eating a dozen sliders from White Castle. You have the burning feeling in your chest and your so full of gas that a bump in the car can ruin a pair of pants. After every goal, I felt the need to just go to the bathroom and let it all out.

Overall, the Islanders lost their cool and got horrible goaltending from both Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis, creating a smörgåsbord of mistakes that the Penguins exploited every time they had the chance. On offense, the Islanders were a complete joke and lacked the overall polish needed to score. The hustle and passion that was totally evident a week ago with this team has dissipated faster than the smell of a dollar store air freshener.

Kudos to Penguins coach Therrien [I'd say his first name, but he seems to change it every few days] as well for keeping his top players throughout the game as well. No sarcasm there either. I would have done the same thing if the opposition was as bad as the Isles were last night. No mercy, especially when the Islanders were so sloppy and were taking bad penalties throughout.

Sim clears waivers- He’s back, but what are the Islanders going to do with him? Still on pace for a dozen goals, what else can they ask out of the guy? Especially when most of the team isn’t producing the way they should be. Sim isn’t so much the problem as this entire team right now.

Something needs to be done and fast.

In other news, according to an ECHL press release I received yesterday Joey MacDonald was the MeiGray Group ECHL Alumnus of the Month for November.

Here’s what else the press release had to say about the Isles netminder.

MacDonald, who entered the 2008-09 season with 17 career NHL appearances with Detroit, Boston and the Islanders over a seven-year career, made 14 consecutive starts from Nov. 3-29 as Rick DiPietro has been sidelined by a knee injury. He was 8-5-1 with a goals-against average of 2.64 and a save percentage of .916 while leading NHL goaltenders in games (14), minutes (842) and shots faced (439).

The 28 year old began his professional career in the ECHL in 2001-02 and was 12-15-7 with a shutout, a goals-against average of 2.88 and a save percentage of .922 in 38 games with the Storm. He returned to Toledo on a rehabilitation assignment in 2005-06 and in his only appearance made 25 saves in a 4-1 win against Trenton on Nov. 12, 2005.

Posted under 2008-2009, Post Game Rants

Wow.

That was the worst combined effort I’ve seen between two teams on a hockey rink in quite some time.

And that’s coming from a minor league hockey writer mind you.

In the end, there’s a reason why these teams are were they are in the standings. The Islanders, despite playing with a ton of energy at times and showing flashes of being a decent team, cannot put it together for 60 minutes. The Thrashers on the other hand, are just missing pieces. I mean seriously, if someone told me that Marty Reasoner and Chris Thorburn would be on the same line as Ilya Kovalchuk, I would have laughed a certain part of my body [the most attractive part, aside from my luscious green eyes] off.

Nevertheless, unlike the Isles, Atlanta made the most of the opportunities they had.

It didn’t matter that they were outplayed, outshot and outhit either.

That’s just way the cookie crumbles sometimes in this league though, especially when you’re not the Boston Bruins and you have to play as close to perfect hockey every night to even come close to winning.

Funny moment of the night: When Islanders sideline reporter C.J. Papa asked Islanders Assistant Coach [and a damned good passer in his day] John Chabot why things weren’t going the team’s way after two periods and Chabot responded with something along the lines of “I think we were watching two different games,” I almost lost it. Nothing against Papa, but damn to I miss Deb Kaufman this season. Any decent hockey fan knew that at that point in the game, the Islanders were the victims of good goaltending by Moose Hedberg of a some sloppiness on defense.

Sometimes Mr. Papa, the score of a game isn’t the only indication of the direction a game is going.

In other news, aside from the Isles inability to finish last night, there was one positive to take out of the game:

Blake Comeau.

Goddamn, was it just me or was this guy buzzing out there? Not only was he finishing his checks, he was playing very well in the offensive end and was just a few inches away from his first goal of the season. Because of the way he played, you gotta think that if he can keep it up, something is going to be done about Jeff Tambellini. Originally falling out of Scott Gordon’s favor in the preseason and learning the Islanders system in Bridgeport, Comeau has the ability, spunk and now, the smarts to be an effective player at this level.

Okay, maybe I’m getting a bit too far ahead of myself. Nevertheless, it should interesting to see how Comeau plays against the Maple Leafs on Monday.

Posted under 2008-2009, Post Game Rants

According to AssociatedContent.com. The “itis” the feeling you get when: “you eat too much food (especially unhealthy food) and get very sleepy.”

I don’t know if there was turkey in the Islanders locker room in between the second and third period last night or if they were kidnapped and replaced with Bizarro World clones, but this team absolutely dumped the third period in one of the worst periods I’ve seen all season.

Let’s be fair here though, the crap storm started over the last five minutes of the second period as the Islanders basically lost any will to continue their stellar play and thought that they could sit on a three goal lead.

Big mistake.

There’s a reason why the three-goal lead is often considered the worst in professional hockey and the Islanders proved it last night.

In the end, the look on Doug Weight’s face said it all.

To start a game the way the Isles did, getting fantastic goaltending from Joey MacDonald and a few lucky bounces, to only lay down the way they did proves this team is still going through growing pains.

Nevertheless, I really like the way Josh Bailey’s line played through the first two periods and for my money, I’d keep this kid up here. Hes got nothing left to learn in juniors. Let him get his bumps and bruises here.

As well, I really love what I see from Weight this season as well. He’s the best passer this team has had since…dare I say… Pierre Turgeon.

In spite of that however, this team has got to remain focused on the ice for 60 minutes. Or else, this entire third period choke conundrum they just got themselves out of is going to rear it’s ugly face once more.

DP speaks- Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro was interviewed by the AP a few days ago and while sharing his thoughts on various subjects, talked mainly about his array of injuries over the past two seasons.

“It’s crazy,” DiPietro said. “It’s like someone has a voodoo doll and keeps poking me. I’ve done everything but seek alternative medicine in different countries. I’ve asked about it, but there’s nothing to do but hard work. I’ve had a lot of bad luck, which sucks. But in the long run, it’s going to work out. There’s absolutely no question that my goal since signing that deal was to win here, and everyone here wants to win the Stanley Cup. I think we’re taking the right steps.”

After watching last night’s game, I think DP takes his turkey with extra gravy.

Posted under 2008-2009, Post Game Rants

If my memory serves me correctly, the last time the Islanders played the Columbus Blue Jackets, Richard Park showed more heart than I have ever seen in a hockey game before, picking a fight with 6′3 228 pound first round flub Alexander Svitov in a 4-0 Isles win. It was one of my favorite games that season on a team that overall worked their tails off and despite extremely low expectations to start the year, they ended up making the playoffs.

It was a few days before Christmas that year and the way they were playing at that point, it made the holiday season that much more enjoyable.

I wish I could say the same thing about these bunch of guys.

At 2-7-1, this bunch of Islanders lack the depth at forward and defense that those guys had, but there still are players this season that have put a smile on my face. Doug Weight and Mark Streit for example are proving that they are more than just half-hearted acquisitions disguised to make this bunch of misfits resemble a decent team. Their play with the man advantage has been solid and they’ve kept this team at the sub-par level, rather than deplorable. Without them, I don’t even want to know how bad this team would be. As of right now, I think they are easily the team’s only potential All-Stars.

While the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t quite as bad as the Isles right now, they’ve had a few problems of their own, mainly with goaltending. If the Islanders can generate scoring opportunities and take shots, they should be able to hold their own. Otherwise, the game will be sadder than watching High School Musical 3 with your girlfriend this past weekend [whatever I do in my personal life is my business!], but they’ll be no super hot Vanessa Hudgens or Ashley Tisdale to make you forget that your actually enjoying the movie, despite the fact that you own gonads [why am I talking about this?]. It’ll just be another sad experience in a season that’s been full of them. Far worse than the time when you realized your girlfriend owns your soul and chick flicks are now fair game and even sadder now that you’ve realized that enjoy them.

All jokes aside however, this is a must win game. It feels way too early in the season to be saying something like that, but this team needs to start gaining some confidence.

A good 60-minute effort can do that.

Posted under 2008-2009, Pregame Musings

Meat Loaf was dead wrong when he said “Two out of Three Ain’t Bad.”

After the final period of last night’s game, I was so sick to my stomach that a piece of Meat Loaf, even the ridiculously scrumptious end piece could not bring me any satisfaction.

However, through the first two periods of last night’s game, I was thrilled. After writing that this team was the worst Islanders team in over seven season’s yesterday and adding tat they alone could decide their destiny, it felt great to see them progressively finish their checks, win a fight and put some pucks in the net.

During those first two periods, even the powerplay was working. Frans Nielsen was looking like a bona fide NHL center and newbie Mitch Fritz did more than hold is own with tough guy Georges Laraque. It was like watching the Isles on an episode of the “Twighlight Zone.” At one point, I thought I was going to go blind because it seemed too good to be true. All season, the Islanders were looking for a few lucky bounces to get their confidence going. Jon Sim’s goal seemed like the tide turner. For a second, I thought these guys were gellin’ like Magellan.

Then, in an even more bizarre turn of events, they forgot to skate, protect the front of the net and fight in the corners, giving up four goals in one of the ugliest performances I’ve seen in years by any team wearing orange and blue.

That includes the Mets as well.

Just for the record, I’d like to say that goaltending is not the issue in this game. If anything, Yann Danis kept this team in the game with several solid saves in the first and second periods. In the third however, the defense was consistently on their heels. They weren’t attacking anymore and when a team as talented as the Canadiens smells blood, they go for the knockout punch.

Just watching the highlight reel on Yahoo Sports of last night’s game proves this. Look where all of Montreal’s goals were scored. With traffic in front of the net and plenty of bodies looking for second chances. Why was the crease cleared? Well, without Radek Martinek, Brendan Witt and Freddy Meyer, we know why the crease wasn’t cleared. At this point, it’s obvious this team has even more problems than are on the surface.

In the end, watching last night’s game was like watching a horror movie, with the Islanders playing the role of the surprisingly strong sexy female and the Canadiens playing the accomplished killer. It was fun to see her hold her own with someone that much stronger for a while, but you knew that at one point, when Mike Myers, Freddy Krueger or whoever else tickles your fancy, had their opportunity, it was the end of the road.

Posted under 2008-2009, Post Game Rants

Well, that was a fun game wasn’t it?

There’s a reason why the Rangers are in first place and there’s a reason why the Isles have only two wins through eight games this season.

Goaltending and offense my friends. Something the Isles don’t have much of right now.

Through the first 40 minutes though, the Islanders looked like they were holding their own. Kyle Okposo, despite flubbing a few golden opportunities through he first half of the first period, really stepped up his game and easily had his best contest of the season. See what happens when this kid gets his legs moving and isn’t scared to initiate contact in the corners? The same thing goes for Frans Nielsen, who was all over the puck through the first two periods.

Speaking of solid performances tonight, Mark Streit was on top of his game as well. With seven points in eight games, the guy is doing everything he can on both ends of the ice to keep this team alive. Even his defense has been better than expected, as he’s did a solid job of clearing the crease, in addition to his prowess on the powerplay.

If there were anything really positive to take from this game, those would have to be it.

On the negative side, Joey MacDonald, while playing decent overall, has got to improve his play with traffic in front of the crease and with loose pucks around him. The Rangers first goal tonight was one that any decent goaltender in this league would have stopped. That’s not to say that Joey Mac isn’t a good netminder, he just has one glaring weakness that needs to be addressed and addressed soon.

Something else that needs to be addressed is the play of Jeff Tambellini. This guy has to get going offensively and soon. He’s taking shots, but isn’t getting any lucky bounces or help. I say throw him on a line with Mike Comrie and Kyle Okposo. Trent Hunter and Nielsen aren’t bad guys to play with, but the combination of speed and offensive ability that Comrie and Okposo have may give Tamby a bit more room on the ice to thrive.

In injury news, it seems that Freddy Meyer is only going to be day to day with an abdominal injury. Nothing against Brett Skinner, but Meyer was playing solid hockey before his injury and with Radek Martinek, Brendan Witt [who allegedly will be out for the next four weeks]and Andy Sutton all out of the lineup, the Isles need all the help they can get.

Posted under 2008-2009, Post Game Rants

Just like the Islanders forward situation, the defense is a place filled with a simultaneous depth and youth. However, unlike the forward lines, the defense looks much more prepared for the upcoming season and alongside solid goaltending from Rick DiPietro, should be the strength of the team. Nevertheless, there are a few players worth watching that could sneak their way into the top six.

Freddy Meyer- He may look like Bill Pullman, but he was no nonsense last year when he finally got an opportunity to play. After his first season in the NHL, many thought he could be a decent option on the powerplay, but after two seasons with the Islanders, it looks like he’s more of a puck-moving defenseman, who can play physically or against a top or second line when needed.

However, those attributes are those that are pretty much taken care of on the Islanders front with guys like Andy Sutton, Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek being able to play the shutdown defense the team needs and with the exception of Martinek, take the body. With that being said, it looks like either Gervais or Meyer is going to be the sixth defenseman on this team and it’s too early to tell who. For my money, I see Myer as a seventh defenseman, not for a lack of ability, but because of a lack of versatility. If he can get his game going offensively and be even more physical, he’ll be a top six d-man in this league.

Jack Hillen- I think he falls into the same category as Meyer because he does a lot of things that players on the Isles can do. However, given his track record in college, I think he’ll get a very long look in training camp as well. If Gervais and Meyer come into camp with an attitude or out of shape, I fully expect Hillen to be able to jump in and provide the type of play that will get him noticed as a top six-D man.

Overall, while not as good a skater as Gervais and not as physical as Meyer, Hillen has the best offensive game of the three and plays very solid defense. That type of versatility is something neither Gervais or Meyer have and it could go a long way in deciding his fate this season.

Dustin Kohn- I’ve been hearing this kid’s name for years on message boards and on the team’s official site and while I don’t know much about his game, it appears like he too could be a candidate for the final spot if he comes into camp with the right mindset. A second round pick in 2005, Kohn isn’t 18 anymore and this may be the camp when he starts to really open up some eyes.

Photo by NHL Media

Posted under Offseason 2008

First, let me say that spending some time on the NY Hockey Report last night was a blast. Gary by himself is a mountain of hockey knowledge, but with Derek there as well, it was something I won’t forget anytime soon. That was one of the first times in my life where I was surrounded by fellow hockey nuts in an environment catered solely to us. For those who missed last night’s show, you missed an entertaining one to say the least.

I hope Gary and Derek are ok after that comment I made about Travis Zajac. In any case, it felt good to be appreciated on the air for my sense of humor and for my amount of hockey knowledge. Gary made a comment during the show asking me if I read a hockey encyclopedia before going on after I mentioned Craig Janney. Brother, I am a hockey encyclopedia, ha-ha. I can’t tell you how much useless knowledge is crammed into my brain when it comes to hockey.

Simply put, Hockey is one of the biggest joys of my life, aside from having a career I love and a beautiful girlfriend that appreciates me. Nothing makes me happier than getting the opportunity to showcase my ability. For that, I owe you guys a firm hand shake and smile for giving me that chance.

Thank you.

OK, MOVING FORWARD TO TONIGHT’S GAME…

The Flyers are in town and the Islanders will have to put their last loss against the Penguins behind them and come out firing on all cylinders. Guys like Trent Hunter, Viktor Kozlov and Miroslav Satan need to start scoring consistently if the Isles are going to make due with Yashin. While some people think the Isles are destined to deflate as the season goes on without Yash, I think that they will get a solid team effort on both sides of the ice and will play well without him.

The Flyers are a team that has gotten some inconsistent goaltending this season and has shown a penchant for not being able to score when the chips are down. It’s so bad that Peter Forsberg and Petr Nedved have only EIGHT GOALS combined this season. However, with big names like this, the Isles need to understand that they can break out at any time and need to stay focused, play a smart game and get some offense.

As I’ve mentioned before, while Yashin is without a doubt the most important offensive player on the team, he’s not the only player that can produce offensively. The Isles have four lines full of solid two-way players that have speed, grit and energy. That’s what wins hockey games. If they come out with some “spunk and jump” tonight, there’s no reason why they can’t dominate the Flyers.

Posted under Isles 2006-07, Pregame Musings

Yesterday was a good day. 

Not because it was Sunday, a day usually dedicated to my relaxation, or even because the Jets managed to win, but because upon visiting NHL.com like I usually do every morning, I saw something I don’t think I’ve seen many times in my life; the Islanders in first place in the Atlantic Division. 
However, what separated this instance from the other times I was fortunate enough to see the Isles in first place was that before, I knew it wouldn’t last long. This time, I think the Islanders are capable of playing even better than their playing right now. Considering the fact that there are a few players on the Islanders that aren’t playing their best hockey at the present time and the entire team has been inconsistent at times, I definitely think this team can stay in first place if they continue doing what they’ve been doing. 

Two weeks ago, I wrote an article for the Kingsman, one of the two college newspapers in Brooklyn College, where I compared all three local teams. It was there where I said that while the Islanders don’t have the offensive attack of the Rangers or the consistent goaltending of the Devils, they have the grit and depth that the other two teams lack. However, the Islanders have had problems with consistency of the past few years and that has kept them from achieving the success many fans have hoped for. 

In spite of the consistency problems, Ted Nolan, over the past few weeks has had this team playing their hearts out every night and has reinvigorated a team that many didn’t expect to make the playoffs. Before the season started, many counted out the Isles due to the emergence of Garth Snow as general manager and the fifteen-year contract that was given to Rick DiPietro. Do you guys hear anyone talking now? I didn’t think so. 

TOMORROW’s GAME… 

The Islanders are a team that has momentum on their side. Aside from the great play of Yashin & Blake, it seems that every night someone else is coming through for them. Tomorrow night, against the Penguins, they’ll need for that trend to continue. I’m figuring now that Miro and Trent have broken out of their slumps that Andy Hilbert will finally get going. 

Everyone else that hasn’t been scoring that much this season at least has a goal and have been hustling consistently [Shawn Bates and Arron Asham come to mind]; I know Andy has a ton of shots on goal his past few games and I admire the guys ability, but enough is enough, this is New York and we want results! You had a decent season last year playing for two horrible teams, it’s time to prove to the rest of the NHL that you’re the real deal Andy, don’t let us down. With Sidney Crosby most likely to be back in the lineup after missing a few with a groin problem, the Isles are going to have to be on top of their collective games. I expect to see a lot of hitting tomorrow as well for the simple fact that the Pens seemed pretty pissed [Noah Welch and Chris Thorburn especially] towards the end of the game a few days back and with Crosby back in the lineup, they’re going to be out for blood. 
Either way, this game looks to be an interesting one. 

Let’s go Islanders.

Posted under Isles 2006-07, Pregame Musings