N.Y. Islanders Impose Their Will Upon Boston Bruins

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
PLAYOFFS: ROUND TWO

Islanders defeat Bruins; 4-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

V - NYI 5; BOS 4

VI - NYI 6; BOS 2

*overtime

Boston Gets Blown Out Of The Barn; Isles Advance To Final Four

Looking back, it took Barry Trotz exactly one game to figure out the Bruins.  Afterwhich, it was just a matter of physical execution.  

Game one was not an aberration.  Boston and their perfection line are that good.  Game three was a coin flip; we know that.  The real story was the one-all tie during regulation.  Otherwise, overtime is risky business.  Take away Long Island's two empty-net goals in game six, and the Isles still doubled up on Boston.  All told, the Islanders wind up outscoring Boston by a 22-17 margin.

Wednesday evening started with an inspiring National Anthem.  Good job by Long Island!

At some point, Lou Lamoriello needs to be shoehorned into this conversation.  In 13 regular-season games after his acquisition from the Devils, 36-year old Travis Zajac registered two points, a goal against Boston, and an assist versus the Rangers.  He played just one game in the series against Pittsburgh in which he posted an assist and a plus-two.  Travis was scoreless through the first five games against the Bruins.  Come game six, the veteran of 15 seasons and 57 playoff games while with the Devils opens the scoring at 8:52 of the first period off feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau - another Lamoriello acquisition.

This time Semyon Varlamov did not yield an early goal, and thus the Isles could play with a lead.  That is until Brad Marchand made Long Island pay for committing two really dumb tripping penalties when at 17:36 of the first, he scored a power-play goal assisted by David Krejci and David Pastrnak.

We've heard it before about Barry Trotz telling his team to keep pressing with the forecheck.  So you know he must have said something during the first intermission.  With mission statement in hand, Brock Nelson stole the puck near Boston's blue line and came barrelling through the right circle to score at 5:20 off feeds from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey.  Then, at 12:39, a forechecking Brock Nelson seized the puck in a major Boston defensive zone faux-pas and scored with another assist from Josh Bailey.

Barry Trotz's system and Lou Lamoriello's acquisitions are punctuated by yet another Boston defensive zone turnover.  Kyle Palmieri converts a rebound unassisted at 16:07, giving the Isles a 4-1 lead.  Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri now leads the Islanders with seven playoff goals; Brock Nelson is next with six.

A third tripping penalty called against the Islanders (Matt Martin) leads to Brad Marchand's second power-play goal of the game.  Otherwise, Semyon Varlamov does not yield an even-strength goal.  He faces 25 shots on goal, stopping all but two during special teams.  Varlamov rewards his head coach's confidence in him with his fourth victory over Boston.  His only loss came after limiting Boston to just one goal in regulation, then losing game three in overtime.

It was quite appropriate that Cal Clutterbuck and Ryan Pulock should both score into empty nets, respectively, a reward for jobs well done.  Pulock led Isles blueliners with 23:21 minutes and a plus-one.  Clutterbuck, there's a reason why the Islanders a few years ago signed him to an extension.  They get their money's worth every night.

Meanwhile, the Islanders out-bullied the brutish Boston Bruins.  Long Island could have fallen upon the Bruins like a ton of bricks (as they did in game one) if they wanted to but realized a need to tone it down a bit to better sync up the rest of their game.  That said, Long Island in game six provided young Charlie McAvoy a lesson in what it's like playing under duress.  He needed upwards of six minutes to recover from a big hit by Kyle Palmieri ... there's that name again.

This was a sound series victory over the Bruins.

Nuf ced.

N.Y. Islanders Put Forth Complete Game Victory Over Pens

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Penguins and Islanders tied; 2-2

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - PITT 2; NYI 1

III - PITT 5; NYI 4

IV - NYI 4; PITT 1

*overtime

Pens get Sixty Minutes of Long Islanders Hockey

A complete game and near shutout, Ilya Sorokin quells any lingering goalie debate in a statement performance.  He faces 31 shots and stops all but one, an inconsequential one at that, at 17:25 of the third period.  Sorokin must now finish out the series.  

To be frank, the Islanders should be up 3-1 in this series, except that Semyon Varlamov in game three failed to rise to the occasion.  Any time the Islanders score four times, they must come away with a victory, but unlike Sorokin on Saturday, Varlamov yielded very consequential goals time and again.

Long Island toned down the hitting, dominated face-offs, frustrated the Penguins into taking penalties while limited their own mistakes.  Cal Clutterbuck and the Islanders antagonized Evgeni Malkin all night and limited Sidney Crosby to just two shots on goal.  The Penguins committed dumb penalties in the third, and the Islanders made them pay a stiff price.  Oliver Wahlstrom and Jordan Eberle scored with 24-seconds of each other.  After going 0 for 3 in games one and two, the Islanders' power play is now 3 for 9 in the last two games.

The Islanders got top-notch goaltending, tight defensively, the power play was in working order, and they got even-strength goals in the second period from Josh Bailey, his second, and Ryan Pulock's first of the playoffs.

Mathew Barzal assisted on Eberle's goal.  He now has three assists in the last two games but is yet to score a goal through four.  Anthony Beauvillier led the Isles with six shots on goal.  Ryan Pulock led the team with a plus-two.

N.Y. Islanders Beat Themselves in Game Three

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Penguins lead Islanders; 2-1

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - PITT 2; NYI 1

III - PITT 5; NYI 4

Penguins Unphased By Long Island's Physicality

The Islanders continue pushing the Penguins around.  They once again outhit the Penguins by a 47-29 margin bringing the grand total through three games to 165-111 in favor of the Islanders.  This speaks of the forecheck, back-checking, and every other kind of check.  At 5:35 of the third, all decorum leaves the building.  All ten skaters have at it.  Afterwhich, the Islanders reap the benefits of Anthony Beauvillier's game-tying goal.  They even scored on the power play for a change!

But this is only getting the Islanders so far.  Most times during this series, they're playing right into Pittsburgh's hands.  They're not defending well, and, if truth be told, Semyon Varlamov played a terrible game.  Josh Baily, Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson, defenseman Noah Dobson all finish with a minus-two.

Pittsburgh scored at 2:01 of the first period.  It might as well have been within the first two minutes, which, we know, is a cardinal sin.

After Scott Mayfield tied the game midway through the second, Jeff Carter put the Pens back in front exactly two and a half minutes later - that's a mistake.  Then yielding a third goal with under two minutes left in the second period is indeed a cardinal sin, much less a huge mistake.  

Early in the third, Cal Clutterbuck cut the Islanders deficit to one.  Anthony Beauvillier then ties the game at three at the 5:54 mark.  However, Clutterbuck gets whistled at 6:23 for a costly interference penalty.  On the power play, Jeff Carter does it again, scoring within forty seconds and putting Pittsburgh back in front - a mistake.  Cal Clutterbuck somewhat makes up for his indiscretion with his second goal, tying the score at four.  

At 16:24 of the third period, Branden Tanev scores the decisive goal.  That's what happens when you're playing catch-up hockey.

You might say Semyon Varlamov allowed a couple of soft goals, particularly the first.  He faces just 27 shots on goal and yields five very ill-timed goals.  Coach Trotz is now faced with making a critical goalie decision down 2-1 in the series.

And where is Mathew Barzal?

N.Y. Islanders: Look Who's Number One

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Speed, Strength, and a Slick Stick

SATURDAY

Sabres    2

Islanders 5

FINAL

With the Isles victory over the dull-edged Sabres on Saturday combined with Washington's loss against the Bruins at Boston on Friday, Long Island takes over first place of the East Division by a full two points.

As we know, Buffalo, with an NHL low 17 points, has more problems than a math book.  This game should have been and indeed turned into easy pickings.  

Literally the center of much trade speculation, Jack Eichel assisted on Jacob Bryson's abrupt goal just 0:33 seconds into the game.  But the Islanders put a quick damper on any further Buffalo aspirations they may have harbored.  The Islanders kept them off the board throughout the rest of the period and all of the second period as well.

In the meantime, Long Island erupted with four goals in the second period.  Mathew Barzal kicked things off with one of the more ridiculously amazing goals you'll see this season.  Brock Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck then put the Islanders ahead by two.  At the 15:29 mark of the second, Scott Mayfield made it a three-goal lead.

Buffalo once again scored inside the opening minute of the third period, when Sam Reinhart found net just 0:52 seconds in.  But Anders Lee would quickly cancel that out at 2:15 with his team-leading eleventh goal of the season.  

The Isles are now winners of four in a row and six of their last seven.  They've allowed the second least goal within the division, just one more than the Boston Bruins, and lead the East Division with a plus-14 point differential.

N.Y. Islanders: Deep-Sixed

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning defeat Islanders; 4-2

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 3

V - NYI 2; TBL 1**

VI - TBL 2' NYI 1*

** double-overtime

* overtime

Why bother breaking down game six and rehashing things like Cal Clutterbuck hitting the post and things of that nature.  Why not focus instead on the fact Clutterbuck was the Islanders best center in game six.

Through six games shots on goal were a lopsided 213-165 in favor of the Bolts.  Some of that has to do with Barry Trotz' system, some has to do with Tampa, the rest has to do with any given five skaters on the ice.  On average the Bolts take eight more shots per game.  Thus the Islanders through six games get outscored by a 20-12 margin.  Omit game one and the Bolts still outscore the Isles by a 12-10 margin.

Blue liners Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman were definite thorns in the Islanders side.  Their respective pinching efforts impacted the series.  But the Lightning, simply put, win four games with center Brayden Point on the ice, and lose two when he's not on the ice.  Through seventeen games played, Point has nine goals and sixteen assists.  In 22 games Brock Nelson scores nine goals with nine assists and Mathew Barzal posts five goals and twelve assists over the same number of games.  Does the difference in this series between Tampa and Long Island lie in the Islanders having Jean-Gabriel Pageau at center instead of John Tavares?

Maybe, maybe not ...

Otherwise, neither team does themselves any favors on the power play.  Tampa goes 4/21, but if you subtract three PP goals from game one, the Bolts are just 1/15 with the man advantage.  Long Island fares no better, going 2/19 in six games.

Both Semyon Varlamov and Robin Lehner both bow out of the final four.  Through twenty games and nineteen starts, Varlamov wraps up business with a .921SV% and a 2.14 GAA.  Robin Lehner, who will likely sign an extension with Las Vegas, plays sixteen games while posting a .917SV% and 1.99 GAA.  The difference between the two seems negligible.  Did Lou Lamoriello make the right choice?  It's too close to call, besides, Andrei Vaslievskiy outperformed them both.  He has started every game for Tampa since entering the bubble.  Through nineteen games he owns a .931SV% and a 1.82 GAA. 

N.Y. Islanders Pop Washington's Bubble in Five

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Islanders def. Capitals; 4-1

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

II - NYI 5; WAS 2

III - NYI 2; WAS 1*

IV - WAS 3; NYI 2

V - NYI 4; WAS 0

*overtime

Islanders Rout Washington Capitals

Islanders not only spent less time in the penalty box but also score on a power play!

Who are these guys?

Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beaullivier sit the Islanders only four minutes in the penalty box (too many men on the ice and a holding whistle on Beaullivier).  Otherwise, that's it.  The Isles get to play with five skaters on the ice for upwards of fifty-five minutes.  Net result is a commanding 4-0 victory and five game wipeout of the Washington Capitals.

The Islanders not only outscore their opponent, they double them by a lopsided 17-8 margin, with fifteen goals coming at even strength.  Ten different Islanders score.  Jordan Eberle, Matt Martin, Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each score a goal.  Josh Bailey, Nick Leddy and Mathew Barzal each score two goals, and Anders Lee and Anthony Beaullivier tally three goals each.  Meanwhile Washington's scoring is limited to three players.  Their eight series goals come from T.J. Oshie (2); Evgeny Kuznetsov (2); and Alex Ovechkin (4).  New York's defense limits the Capitals to an average of 24.8 shot per game.  In game four they allow a series high 29 shots, but in game five allow a series low 21 shots by Washington.

Washington averages just 1.6 goals per game.  Semyon Varlamov pitches a shutout in game five, making 21 saves, one on the PK and another while short-handed.  Varlamov faces 121 total shots in five-plus games, making 113 saves.  He permits four even strength goals, and four PP goals.

• Regular season: 2.62 GAA and .914 SV%
• Nine Games in the Bubble: 7-2-0, 1.67 GAA, .934 SV%

Islanders still have work to do.  They were just 2/21 (.095%) on the power play.

N.Y. Islanders: Stay True Through Game Two

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Islanders Lead Series; 2-0

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

II - NYI 5; WAS 2

SUNDAY

Washington Capitals

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

The Bubble

Through six games now against the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals, the Isles have remained consistently true to their game.  The averages since entering the bubble bear that out.

Semyon Varlamov faces 25 shots, allows two goals, and turns away 23 others.  They do a better job this time of staying out of the box, allowing the Capitals only two power play opportunities, while scoring one goal for themselves in five chances.  Otherwise, they outscore Washington at even strength by a 4-2 margin.  They also keep out-hitting the Caps, continue to win more face-offs, and after two games are out-shooting the Caps by a 59-51 margin.

Washington gets two goals from Alex Ovechkin.  The first comes on a deflection just 0:56 second into the game.  His second comes on the power play at the 6:32 mark of the second period, tying the game at two.  After which the Islanders veto the Capitals the rest of the way.  They get goals across the board from Nick Leddy, Matt Martin, Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck, and Anders Lee.

Versus Florida the Isles average 3.25 goals for, and 1.75 goals against.  The Panthers only average 25 shots per game, while the Isles yield only three goals during even strength over twelve periods.

Washington takes 26 shots in game one, and another 25 in game two.  They've so far been limited to a pair of goals through seven PP opportunities.  However, the Islanders are only 1 for 9 on the power play.

Keep staying out of the box.  As I said after game one, playing at even strength is this team's main strength, second only to the coaching of Barry Trotz.  When they're not killing penalties, the Islanders have so far outscored Washington by an 8-2 margin.

N.Y. Islanders: Wiped Out By Hurricane Brind'Amour

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

It's Important to Remember What This Organization is Recovering From

New York Islanders: I saw Caroline blow through the Isles like a Hurricane.  My hockey friend says they looked just like the Rangers.

There's an obvious reason why I starting referring to this season as the Barry Trotz Pajama Party.

Isles fans know what I'm talking about ...

Last six seasons under Garth Snow; with Jack Capuano/Doug Weight behind the bench; and captain John Tavares still in uniform:

• 12-13)  *Lockout season; 55-points; lost first round playoffs.
• 13-14)  79-points; did not qualify.
• 14-15)  101-points; lost first round playoffs.
• 15-16)  100-points; win first round; lost second round.
• 16-17)  94-points; did not qualify.
• 17-18)  80-points; did not qualify.

Throughout this time, the Islanders ongoing maladies were defensive pairings and goal tending.

Enter Lou Lamoriello ...

He quietly acquires a goalie who is known to play with a chip on his shoulder named Robin Lehner.  With no other transactions to speak of, Lou leaves the Islanders roster largely in tact - minus John Tavares, that is.  However, despite their season long and some times triumphant battles for first place of the Metropolitan Division, Lou is openly criticized by fans and media alike leading up to and through this season's trade deadline for remaining idle.

To that I say Lou comes with a plan.  He always has a plan.  That's what makes him successful.  If he thought it best to stand pat at the deadline then I have no doubt it was the right move.  The Islanders presently have a fine core of young players led by Mathew Barzal with more prospects on the way and more still in development.

Lou is also the same person who hired coach Barry Trotz, whom arguably has had a far greater impact on the Islanders fortunes than any potential acquisition Lou could have negotiated for at the deadline.  After all, Trotz transformed one of the shabbier defensive units of past years into this season's stingiest unit in all the NHL.

That held true through their fist six playoff games.  Overall the season was an unexpectedly fun ride albeit with a rather abrupt ending.  But in Lou you must trust.  As a Rangers fan, I envy the Lamoriello/Trotz tandem presently in place.  If anyone smooths this out, it will be Lou.  And with any luck, Trotz sticks this out as well.

But why did the Islanders lose?

Being somewhat of a nomad certainly doesn't help.  Having to change home ice locations from one series to the next could have perhaps played a disruptive role in their routine.  The Islanders also played without an injured Johnny Boychuk, and say what you will, Cal Clutterbuck was hurting throughout as well.

I have a close friend with whom I debate hockey all the time.  He participated in summer camps in Canada, played junior level, college, and beyond, before turning in his stick for real life.  He asked me why I think the Islanders got wiped out in four.  I said that I agreed with Barry Trotz insofar the Islanders were playing well, and that they were indeed creating recurring quality scoring opportunities.  Then added the Islanders strength is five on five but were getting beat at their own game.  I said the Canes appeared faster, were winning 50/50 battles against the boards, were protecting their goalie's crease with great physicality, and that their swarming defense did a great job taking away shooting angles.

He said no to all the above while saving a particularly emphatic "hell no" because in his opinion Carolina's 35-year old back-up goalie Curtis McElhinney "sucks."

I asked what then were his reasons.  He said because they played just like the Rangers.  They get into scoring position then opt for one more pass and screw the whole thing up - not enough shots on goal for sake of putting shots on goal.  Said another way, they were trying to be too cute.

Back to the lab ...

N.Y. Islanders: Playing Against The Unseen Hand

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

Hurricanes lead series 2-0

I - CAR 1; NYI 0*

II - CAR 2; NYI 1

*overtime

New York Islanders: Barry Trotz Patiently Waiting For Goal Scorers to Emerge.

So much for home ice advantage ... After a rather unceremonious return to Brooklyn, the question begs to be asked: did the Islanders ever have it in the first place?

Previous to game one they hadn't played at Barclays Center since February.  The Islanders split this season's home schedule between Brooklyn and Uniondale, but finished out the season playing their final twelve home games and first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Long Island.  Of course the counter is they achieved 103 regular season points partly playing at Brooklyn.

On to the next excuse ...

After a ten game layoff, brushing off game one's overtime loss was the easy thing to do.  Now down two games going away Islanders fans are being led to believe they've secured another moral victory.  As Coach puts it, this is nothing more than the "unseen hand" at work, and that if they continue playing the way they've been, the Islanders will be fine.

With twenty minutes left in game two, the Islanders stood poised to knot the series.  They were leading 1-0 and now facing Carolina's backup goalie.  They had finally scored their first goal of the series back in the first period off starter Petr Mzerak, whom exited the game due to injury early in the second period.  At that point one could only imagine what opportunities potentially awaited the Islanders against Curtis McElhinney.

But Carolina had other ideas.  Warren Foegele's blast from the right wing just 0:17 into the third period tied the game at one.  Robin Lehner had a clean look, but the unseen hand just blew it by him.  Forty-eight seconds later, Nino Niederreiter scored on a deflection.  This time there was nothing Robin Lehner could do to prevent the unseen hand from seizing a 2-1 lead.

Curtis McElhinney took care of the rest, facing 17 shots on goal - all but one at even strength - and stopped them all since taking over early in the second period.

Despite repeated quality opportunities - as Coach points out - the Islanders offensive production was stifled yet again.  It's worth noting Mathew Barzal's first period goal was the result of a Hurricane self deflection.  Therefore truth be told the Islanders are yet to score a clean goal against either Carolina net minder in over 120 minutes of hockey.

Carolina outscored the Washington Capitals by a slim 21-20 margin through seven games.  They averaged three goals per game against the Caps.  But the Islanders defense has so far limited Carolina to half as many through six plus periods of hockey.  Yet they themselves can't seem to find the back of the net after averaging 3.5 goals per game during their sweep of Pittsburgh.

• Useless Stat Alert: the Hurricanes finished the regular season with a +22 point differential while the Islanders registered a +32 mark for the season.

• Cal Clutterbuck is hurt again; details pending.  It's also worth mentioning the Isles are still playing without Johnny Boychuk.

N.Y. Islanders Complete Sweep of Penguins

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

Long Island Crowd Deserves to Have Islanders 

Remaining Games Played at Uniondale Barn

NHL PLAYOFFS ~ ROUND ONE

ISLANDERS SWEEP PENGUINS

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - NYI 3; PITT 1

III - NYI 4; PITT 1

IV - NYI 3; PITT 1

New York Islanders: The Wizard of Trotz Makes Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Disappear.

Trailing the Islanders by a goal, the Penguins pulled Matt Murray in the waning minutes of regulation.  But even their best laid plans would be short lived.  Josh Bailey's empty netter with 37-seconds left effectively put the Penguins season to rest.

The joint was jumping very soon after the opening face-off.  Pittsburgh's PPG Watercolor Igloo Arena popped with Penguin mania when Jake Guentzel scored just 0:37 into the game.

Then ... a collective gasp, and deafening Steel City silence.

At the 2:09 mark, Jordan Eberle's fourth goal of the series tied the game, leaving the crowd fit to be tied.  If that weren't bad enough, the Penguins broke one of hockey's cardinal rules: never give up a goal in the last two minutes of a period.  Brock Nelson did just that, scoring his third goal of the playoffs at 18:06 of the first.

The Isles finished the game minus the services of blue liner Johnny Boychuck and winger Cal Clutterbuck.  Ideally speaking, eliminating the Penguins in quick fashion will allow them both time for recovering from bumps and bruises incurred during game four.

This season's stingiest defense allowed the Penguins just six goals through four games; none generated from the stick of Sidney Crosby.  The Penguins captain managed no shots on goal in game four, and was limited to a mere six shots on goal all series.  Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle joined on seven shots on goal in game four alone.  Crosby's lone point came on an assist in Tuesday's finale.  Evgeni Malkin managed 11 shots on goal (2.7 shots per game) but just one goal and a pair of assists.

Jordan Eberle is skating like a man possessed, tallying four goals and two assists in four games against the Penguins.  Josh Bailey added another three goals.

Goalie Robin Lehner faced 136 shots on goal through four games, stopping 130 of them.  In game four, he faced 33 shots and stopped all but one.  He even engaged in some pushing and perhaps maybe threw a punch or two.

As reward for their series win, the NHL is evicting the Islanders from the Barn at Uniondale, and forcing their return to Brooklyn.  I've always believed the Islanders belong on Long Island.  And so I feel for their fans whom must now forgo tailgating, for sake of trekking back to Flatbush Avenue.  It's an injustice to say, well, it was good while it lasted.  Through the latter part of the season and every game since, Long Island poured their soul back into hometown hockey.

In the meantime, the New York Long Islanders of Brooklyn await the winner of the Washington Capitals/Carolina Hurricanes series.

No Sleep Till Belmont.

N.Y. Rangers: Debacle on 33rd Street

From the desks of: 

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY - II

Islanders lead series 2-0

I - NYI 4; NYR 3*

II - NYI 7; NYR 2

*shootout

New York Rangers: So Much For Henrik Lundqvist's Day Off..!

Were it not for the mid-winter break, Henrik Lundqvist gets no break at all.  He has now appeared in 36 of the Rangers 43 games played to date.

Exactly one week after writing how Henrik Lundqvist is facing more shots on goal than ever, the Rangers ruined his scheduled day off with an absolutely abysmal effort against the visiting New York Islanders.

The Rangers were beaten, badly, by the likes of second year winger Anthony Beaullivier, and second year center Mathew Barzal - both of whom were Islanders first round selections in the 2015 entry draft, and both of whom registered a pair of goals each through the first two periods of Saturday's debacle at 33rd Street.

Less than seven minutes into the second period, Alain Vigneault pulled back-up goalie Ondrej Pavelec upon surrendering the Islanders' third goal of the period, and to that point their fifth goal of the game.

Both the Rangers and Islanders had been idle since last Sunday.  Therefore, rust is no excuse.  So let's be clear.  The Rangers flat out sucked.  Why mince words?  Every forward, and every defenseman, played regrettably terrible hockey.

Every one ...

Madison Square Garden wreaked of piss-poor performance.  But paying customers aren't entitled to refunds, and for that the Blueshirts should be ashamed of themselves.  Henrik Lundqvist let them know it, too.  He took his time donning his pads, then skated the length of the bench, admonishing his mates in front of the entire crowd before taking his position in net.

The Belmont-bound Islanders struck twice more in the third period en route to a 7-2 thrashing of their old division rivals.  Throughout the entire game, odd man rushes ruled the day.  Shane Prince, Cal Clutterbuck, and Thomas Hickey (thanks to a MatsZucs deflection) also participated in the scoring.

Nary a big hit from the SMURFS Rangers.  The box score says they laid 28 hits.  Somehow I must have missed them all.  I know none of them occurred in between the dots, or in front of the net.  Feeble stick checks abounded, though.

With little exaggeration, it seemed as if the Rangers unfurled a welcoming mat down center ice honoring the league's fourth best scoring team.

This is without a doubt a low point in the Rangers season.

What lies ahead is anyone's guess.

My opinion, however, remains unchanged.  Their defensmen are too small and passive; they're one of the league's weakest teams up the middle; overall they have no real toughness about them; and I do not like Alain Vigneault's system.

Saturday's loss stalls the Rangers at 49 points, and leaves them tied with the Penguins for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

The Islanders are right behind them in ninth place, trailing by one point.

N.Y. Islanders: Brian Boyle Foils the Brutes of Flatbush

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

So much for stealing away home ice advantage from Bolts..

Lightning lead series 2-1

I - NYI 5; TBL 3

II - TBL 4; NYI 1

III - TBL 5; NYI 4*

*overtime

New York Islanders did everything they wanted in Game Three ... except win.

It also makes complete sense Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle would thrive in such a physically played game.

The Islanders turned Game Three into a grudge match - just as planned.  That's when they're at their best, and I believe their physicality will indeed wear on Tampa as the series continues.  And that's why the Islanders should continue playing in this manner despite suffering a brutal overtime loss Tuesday night at Barclays Center.

Even I have to admit my guilt, though, in so far as overlooking Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle.   Shame on me as a Rangers fan, I should have known better.  The two obviously benefit from their familiarity with New York City, and particularly playing in front of Islanders home crowds.   Moreover, they were easily Tampa's two most resilient players on the ice.  After all, they were indoctrinated under John Tortorella, and so found the Islanders' style quite to their liking, and it showed.

There's an argument to be made the Islanders partly blew Game Three in the 1st period, which was actually their best session of the game.  I say that because John Tavares registered so little ice time, with Coach Cooper temporarily getting the better of Jack Capuano in so far as line changes and match-ups.

But with Jack Capuano left decoding his counterpart, the Islanders fourth line carried the action.

Misstep Number One

• With everything seemingly going the Islanders way, they literally tripped themselves up late in the 1st period by committed one of the cardinal sins of hockey - allowing a goal within the last two minutes of a period.  

At 18:27, Casey Cizikas was dispatched to the sin bin for carelessly tripping Brian Boyle.  In turn, the Bolts wasted no time converting what amounted to a costly lack of situational awareness.  With just 0:13 left in the period, Ryan Callahan established position in front of Thomas Greiss, and deflected Alex Killorn's wide shot back on net and beyond Thomas Greiss, tying the score at one.

The Bolts and Isles fought to a 2nd period draw on the judge's scorecards, after swapping goals from Victor Hedman and Nick Leddy.

Misstep Number Two

• After Josh Bailey converted a power play opportunity just 2:27 into the 3rd period, the Bolts returned fire a mere minute later, tying the score again at three.

That was a punch to the gut, but New York's fourth line continued carrying the night with Cal Clutterbuck finding net, and putting the Islanders ahead 4-3 at the 11:23 mark.

Misstep Number Three

• With 2:00 left in regulation, Jon Cooper pulled Ben Bishop in order to give the Bolts a man advantage, and it worked.  With just 0:38 left in regulation, Nikita Kucherov got lost in the slot, and zapped one beyond Thomas Greiss to tie the game at four.

Brian Boyle reared his head again in overtime, but this time in a most controversial way.  He separated Thomas Hickey from the puck high in the Isles defensive zone but with a questionable hit to the head area that went unpenalized by the men in stripes.  The play remained on side for Tampa, and while Boyle rejoined the rush, Hickey remained laid-out on the ice.

• Was Boyle's hit retaliation for the even bigger hit Thomas Hickey laid on Jonathan Drouin?  I don't think it was, but I won't get in anyone's way if they think so.  I'm also not so sure Brian Boyle deserved a penalty either.

With just 0:38 second left in regulation, Ryan Callahan was credited with an assist, but in truth the puck caromed off the backboard and found Brian Boyle positioned on the weak side, who snapped it beyond Thomas Greiss for the game winning goal.

Brian Boyle also got into a pre-game scrum during warm-ups, then had a 1st period goal waved off for a high stick.  In other words, Brian Boyle had his fingerprints all over this game, with Ryan Callahan right there with him, and both standing tall after a very physical game.

Just the way they like it...

Power Outages

I still say both teams are flirting with disaster.  Each committed four more penalties in Game Three.   Despite trading power play goals Tuesday, both PP units continue to flounder.  Tampa is 2 of 11 with the man advantage (which does not include Coach Cooper pulling Bishop in the 3rd period of Game Three).  The Islanders are 2 for 13 on the PP.  All hail their respective PK, but eventually, something is gonna give.

Behind the Mask

There's been talk of Jaroslav Halak's improvement, and potential return.  An obvious question, then, begs to be asked. Should Halak be reinstated, if and when available, or is this playoff run now firmly in the pads of Thomas Greiss?

Game Four @ Flatbush

We already have all the context we need - Screaming for Vengence with be the anthem of the night.

The Islanders must win Game Four at home before heading back to the Sunshine State. It's not critical they do, just terribly necessary.

They started Game Three perfectly, with big hits, and a 1-0 lead, just like the doctor ordered.  For the game, the Islanders out-hit Tampa by a 44-34 margin.  In turn, the Islanders incurred 14 takeaways.   They also muscled their way to a 38-27 victory in the face-off battle.  The Islanders additionally raised their number of shots on goal.  Now they must do more.

• Josh Bailey is such a difference maker when he's healthy.
• I'm having trouble recalling a better fourth line in hockey.

N.Y. Islanders: Flatbush manhandles Tampa in Game One

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Islanders lead series 1-0

I - NYI 5; TBL 3

II - SATURDAY

New York Islanders: Let the bodies hit the ice; repeat three more times...

When speaking of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I'll side with the team coming off a three day layoff over the team coming off a six day layoff every time.  That does not always ring true 100% of the time, but the odds are heavily in my favor.

Therefore, Game One's result came as no surprise to me.

Despite Tampa Bay jumping out to an early lead, I fully expected the Lightning to suck in Wednesday's series opener against the Islanders.  Sure enough, the Bolts, specifically Ben Bishop, did exactly that.

Tampa Bay, however, will not go down quietly.  In fact, the Lightning effectively removed six days worth of rust by the 3rd period.

The real series starts now.

That said, there is still much to extract from Game One.

Don't let the official game stats fool you.  The box score says Tampa actually out-hit the Isles by a 33-29 margin.  In truth, however, they were only bumping into people instead of actually throwing their weight around.  Despite the absence of Steven Stamkos, Tampa still wants to play in open ice.  They do not want the series devolving into an overly physical contest in the corners - which plays right into the Islanders hands.

Listen up Rangers fans!

When the Islanders come ready to hit, they punish.  They turn jerseys into sideboard art.  And on Wednesday, they hit everything in sight.  So the longer this series goes, crashing bodies like the Isles did in Game One will eventually take its toll on Tampa.

When the Rangers played Tampa in last year's Conference Finals, 

Alain Vigneault called off the dogs in Game Seven and got eliminated.  Now look at them.!

Jack Capuano took a puck to the face and stayed behind the bench ... just saying.

When a healthy Steve Bernier and Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas play the way they did in Game One, then throw in five hits from new kid on the ice Alan Quine, the Islanders become a scary team to deal with.

The Lightning will find no respite.  Flatbush simply has more PSI than Tampa can handle - (pounds per square Islander).

Behind the Mask

If you haven't caught on by now, or are not familiar with this Trolley, I am a Rangers fan (damn Smurfs!), which gave me an up close view of Ben Bishop during last year's conference finals.

He's a big dude.  His mere presence occupies an inordinately huge amount of net space.  He must be made to move laterally, because, to put it very simply, he sucks at it.  Bishop is a good quality goalie if allowed to remain stationary.  But make him start moving to his left or right, and he's doomed.

Thomas Greiss gets to use his get out of jail free card for allowing two goals in the 3rd period of Game One.

Just regroup, you're doing fine!

N.Y. Islanders: Defenders of Fort Never Lose Marching Toward Washington for Game 7

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Don't lock The Barn doors yet!  Moving Day has been put on hold..

Series tied 3-3

I - NYI 4; WAS 1

II - WAS 4; NYI 3

III - NYI 2; WAS 1

IV - WAS 2; NYI 1

V - WAS 5; NYI 1

GAME SIX FINAL

Capitals   1

Islanders  3

New York Islanders: Long Island's Swan Song Takes Flight To The Nation's Capital For A Game 7 Showdown Against Caps.

The Islanders are barnstorming to Washington intent on extending Long Island's final season of NHL hockey.  With a Game 7 victory over the Capitals Monday night, the Nassau Coliseum would be ensured of at least two more games, not to mention a second round match-up against the New York Rangers.

But, if Saturday's clash against the Caps indeed belatedly turns into the final game at the old Barn, it was a fine one.

Coach Capuano must first be credited for making adjustments after Game 5's debacle.

The captain, John Tavares then led the way with a 1st period goal at the 6:56 mark.  However, when the stripes whistled Tavares for slashing at 19:27, John Carlson converted an Alex Ovechkin feed for a game tying power play goal with just 0:05 left in the period.

After a scoreless 2nd period, Long Island's hero emerged midway through the 3rd.  At the 10:33 mark, Washington overplayed John Tavares in the corner, leaving Nikolay Kulemin all alone to work the puck through Braden Holtby for a 2-1 Islanders lead.

Cal Clutterbuck sealed the Islanders victory for their frenzied fan base with an empty-netter 0:53 shy of the final buzzer.

Once again, the Islanders did a fine job minimizing Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, whom combined to take just 4 SOG.  However, Troy Brouwer, John Carlson, Joel Ward, and Evgeny Kuznetsov all registered 5 or better.

Working overtime on the blueline, Johnny Boychuk logged 27:00 minutes, and Nick Leddy put in 28:59 minutes of ice time.

Washington's lone score came with a man-advantage.  Otherwise, Jaroslav Halak effectively outlasted Braden Holtby, facing 39 shots on goal and making 38 saves to extend Long Island's run by at least one more game.

Game Six was a very physical affair, that devolved all the way through the final buzzer, and beyond.

A total of 8 penalties were assessed at the tail end of the game; 4 for Washington, 4 for the Isles.   Cross checking and roughing penalties came standard, but only Cal Clutterbuck was levied with a 10-minute misconduct.

An empty-net goal aside, the Islanders have scored just 6 times in the last 4 games.  John Tavares has 2 goals in the series, and may very well need to score another on Monday.  Meanwhile, the power play is now 0 for 13 in 6 games.  Ideally, the Isles need a goal from their special teams now more than ever in order to off-set any potential (Game 7) scoring by (WAS) what is still the #1 power play in the league.

Should the Islanders fall in Game 7 at Washington, they may as well pack a bag full of remorse for their trip to Brooklyn over losing Game 2 in Braden Holtby's absence.  Although 3 pucks found net, the Islanders must ponder having only mustered a mere 21 shots on goal.  That made back-up goalie Philipp Grubauer's performance good enough.

At the other end, and after a fine 1st period, the Isles played poorly in front of Jaroslav Halak whom faced 35 shots (18 in the 2nd period), and allowed a pair of 2nd period goals, and another pair in the 3rd.

The balance of Long Island hockey now lies in the success or failure of Game 7.  The move to Brooklyn either commences post haste by midnight Monday, or gets delayed through another round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The New York Rangers await the winner of this series.

One last Rangers/Islanders post-season battle would be epic.

Mike