ISLANDERS WINTER CLASSIC
The NY Islanders are certainly working hard to dig themselves out of the doldrums of the NHL. The one time dynasty of Champions is finding new ways to win.
Making up for lack of talent the Islanders who are undefeated at home in 6 games stuck it to the winter classic bound Penguins 2-1 in a shootout.
This was clearly the biggest win of the season for NYI and veteran goalie Rick Dipietro.
They also held NHL darling Sidney Crosby pointless snapping his 25 game point scoring streak. Dipietro (37 saves) even stopped him 1 on 1 in the shootout.
Considering the fact Crosby has owned the Islanders, and the Penguins being the leagues top team controlled 16 of 20 wins over NYI over the past 3 seasons, made this win even more special.
Islanders hope to build on this as their confidence soars.
Certainly a wonderful way to end the calender year, that can only be compounded with a big time performance on NYE against the greatest traditional team in all of hockey, the Detroit Red Wings.
How sweet would that be to clip the Wings on the road?
Now that's a game to look forward too.
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!
ISLANDERS HOPE
The Islanders are suffering through one of their worst seasons in franchise history.
The last 3 games gives some light of optimism with the team going 2-0-1 and winning last night where from the start that just did not seem possible against a hot Tampa Lightning team that had won 5 in a row, but the Isles hung around trailing only 1-0 late in the 2nd period when P.A. Parenteau scored the tying goal, and John Tavares got the winner in OT.
Tavares has struggled along scoring only once in 10 games, but hopefully this goal will spark his play and ignite this team towards ending the year with great progress.
Roloson was hot in goal with 34 saves for the Isles.
NYI can feast tomorrow against cross town rival NJ Devils.
Islanders always play them well.
ISLANDER OBLIVION
The New York Islanders are slipping into one of those dark places where it really gets worse before it gets better.
The change oh head coach hasn't brought any successful change yet. In fact it is worse as the Isles lose at home to the upstart Columbus Blue Jackets in heart breaking OT fashion 4-3. Goalie Rick Dipietro has played better and has helped the Islanders earn 2 points in the last 2 OT loses, but still are winless in their last 14 games. A futility mark not seen in the organization in 21 years.
So sad to see such an Implosion at a time when change is Imminent for this once story book franchise.
Can it be saved by any original Islanders?
For now it's a tall order, and a rough season ahead.
NYI will look for a local rivalry for some Inspiration facing off against the Devils in a friday matinee at home.
Hopefully this can be the start of..... something.
ISLANDERS REJECT
NYI are so far removed from their days as 4 time Stanley Cup Champions that not one positive attribute can be made about the current team and it's future.
Islanders fired their head coach Scott Gordon after a 2 year experiment that ended up being the worst span of Islander hockey in team history, and the worst winning percentage in the NHL over that span.
In fact it's rare you would find an Islander coach dismissed during the season. These are hard times for the Islanders, and after a 10 game early season losing streak someone had to shake things up. This being the ultimate shakeup. Hopefully it will work towards salvaging the season. Isles did get off to a 4-2-1 start.
That's obviously what the Islander Brass is hoping for here. To try and wake these guys up, get them to play to their potential, and salvage the season.
It won't be easy, but progress is what the fans are hoping for now. How about some passionate Inspired play from this point on? Islanders will have to build towards that, but it's going to take for someone to step up and take this team under control. Tavares would be the likely candidate. Leadership is what the Isles need to get back on track coming into their next home game against Tampa after this disastrous road trip.
Isles new Interim head coach is Jack Capuano of their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound.
Capuano will try and rejuvenate the Isles out of being the 3rd lowest scoring team in the league up to this point.
It'll be a rough transition, but fans will keep the faith...what other choices do we have?
ISLANDERS SAME OLD
The New York Islanders have started the 10-11 Hockey season the same way they have in previous years, slowly and ineffectively.
They're loss last night to the Penguins 3-2 in OT was the epitome of their recent woes.
Playing a tight game only to lose it late.
Islander franchise goalie Dipietro is back, but can he be effective after these long layoffs?
Islander execs are sure hoping so.
The Islanders would also like to get healthy playing with out their young stars Tavares and Okposo who are still out with injury.
Penguins though have owned the Isles lately winning 5 straight led by franchise star Crosby who's averaged 2 points per game against them over the last 30 has scored more on NYI than any other franchise.
NY can get things on track tonight against The AV's who just beat the Devils last night.
Go Isles.
ISLANDERS IRONY
The New York Islanders lost their final game of the 09-10 season to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 in OT. This game sort of emphasized the epitome of the Islanders season.
Coming from behind against a top ranked team, with a valiant effort, but just not enough at the end.
The Islanders did make their strides this season going from a league worst last year to 79 point this year, an 18 point Improvement. There's a lot of young talent here that needs some cultivation and off season seasoning. The big question mark is in the nets? And I don't mean New Jersey....
the Islanders need to solidify the goaltender situation, and continue to build off the young foundation of guys like Tavares and Okposo.
There's so much tradition on L.I. over 40 years, and the organization needs to focus on what formula is needed now to help recapture some of that magic.
Be well Islanders and we'll catch you with the 2010 draft, and then back at it next year for some more improved Islander Hockey.
ISLANDERS RECALL
The New York Islanders broke a 15 game losing streak to the Philadelphia Flyers last night on L.I.
They really busted out winning 6-4 led by back to back goals 5 min apart by Blake Comeau.
Blake and the Isles have shown some incredible spark this season. Too bad they couldn't be more consistent with it? Hopefully though, something to build on for next year.
Isles playing out the string with pride.
Next up Ottowa in a Saturday afternoon game.
ISLANDERS/RANGERS Last Hope
The Islanders vs Rangers rivalry in hockey has always been my #1 rivalry in all of sports.
Growing up as an Islander fan, I always loved the intensity of a Islander Ranger battle.
This season it's tight between them as usual, with the Isles leading the season series 3-2.
The Islanders trail the rangers by 4 points in the standings, and The Rangers (10th place) are chasing the last playoff spot, with Atlanta in front of them, Boston has 80 points.
So this game has huge meaning. Islanders can stay alive and continue a late season surge.
If you take away the 5-0 thrashing the Islanders took against the Rangers the other night, the NYI are 6-1-1 over their last 8 games.
Rangers choked away a golden opportunity to the Maple Leafs Saturday night. Will they do the same thing against Islanders Tuesday in Uniondale?
The game should hopefully be filled with that same passion and intensity I experienced from my youthful exuberant days following Islanders hockey.
UPDATE:3-30
Rangers win 4-3....
Squashing any chance of a late rally the Isles had, and keeps the Rangers playoff hopes alive.
ISLANDERS DOWN
Whatever good progress the Islanders began to show last week at home, and to start their road trip, has all but disappeared after being gulped by the New York Rangers 5-0 at MSG.
After losing 3 straight, The Rangers were watching their playoff hopes slip away.
They stayed alive last night when they got healthy against the Islanders.
Gaborik came through with a goal and an assist, and Lundvist saved 27 shots.
NYI played one of the most lopsided games ever against the Rangers.
The Isles can still salvage something here this week, with games against the Flames, and Blue jackets, before payback time comes around against The Rangers once again in a rematch next Tuesday.
I know with the state of the franchise it's difficult to get up for this Islander fans....but try to stay positive.
Islanders Road Weary
The Islanders fantastic start to this road trip took a sudden turn late when they lost last night in OT to the Ducks 5-4.
They got the early jump on Vancouver when they beat them 5-2 the other night, and did the same thing here against Anaheim. The Isles outplayed The Ducks for most of the game, only to have Anaheim tie it late, and win it.
NYI will need to shake this one off quickly facing a hungry Kings team waiting for them in Los Angeles.
The Islanders have not won in L.A. since 2003.
They need to give it everything they have tonight, and then can rest till they return home to face the Rangers on weds.
Islander Surprise
One more for the road.....
The NY Islanders continue to surprise their fans, and the entire league.
Just when they had come off a streak of losing 12 of 15 games, They beat the Devils and Maple Leafs on consecutive days. Then they traveled 3500 miles to play one of the most challenging home teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks... and stomped them!
Islanders jumped on them early led by Rookie sensation Tavares, beating the Canucks 5-2.
This kind of win just shows you what heart and determination can bring to a team.
When you're focused like some of these young Islanders have been lately, you can overcome a lot, whether you're team is lacking overall skill, or talent.
The Isles blue collar approach lately (check LA Kings)has them in a position of seeing these bright young stars like Okposo, Moulson, Tavares, and Shremp, developing for hopefully an awesome future. Then look to build on that in the off season, looking at the big picture.
For now, NYI continue on this road trip facing The Ducks in Anaheim on friday, and yes The King's in L.A. on Saturday.
Isles should look closely at the tape of their last 3 wins, as the floor plan to victories this weekend.
Islander Hope - comeau se va?
The NYI came out of the Olympic break smoking hot at home against potential Stanley Cup contender Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago actually led after 1 period 2-1, but the Isles exploded in the 2nd led by 3rd year player Blake Comeau, who uncharacteristically scored a hat trick last night!
Comeau whose goal total = 12 this season certainly felt he had something to prove coming off the break....or else he ate a lot of wheaties!!
not sure? but we like the performance. Isles then held off the Blackhawks in the 3rd to win 5-3.
Roloson had 41 saves and Schremp had 2 assists.
Islanders need to just take it slow and keep it simple. One game at a time by scrapping and forechecking there way to victory, like last night.
Isles fall from grace
The New York Islanders went into the Olympic break on a down note losing their last 2 games. The most recent a thrashing by the hot hot Washington Caps losing 7-2.
The Islanders have a young team, and seemed to be over achieving for most of the year, but now have fallen into the land of obscurity again.
The once proud franchise winners of 4 straight Stanley cups in the early 80's, needs to regroup after the break, and finish strong in what is a very tough division.
But they shouldn't panic, and just get back to basics, work with the youth, further developing the fine play of young up and coming stars such as Okposo and Shremp, and then hope the veteran leadership rises to help. Dipietro needs to prove he can be a top goalie again and justify that huge contacts the Isles gave him 2 years ago.
Islanders need to take a page out of the LA Kings book on how to get this going again.
