N.Y. Islanders Make Statement in Game Four Victory Over Boston

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders and Bruins tied: 2-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

*overtime

Islanders Dictate Terms in Game Four Victory

I'm inclined to say this was the Islanders' most complete performance of the playoffs, wherein scoring, goaltending, physicality, and defense all came together.  That wasn't always the case in the first round against Pittsburgh.

Mathew Barzal now has four points in his last three games.  This, after posting just three points through the Islanders' first seven post-season games.  On Saturday, he assists on Kyle Palmieri's game-tying goal in the second period, then scores the go-ahead goal at 13:03 of the third period.  It was the first of three unanswered goals by Long Island en route to a 4-1 victory and a two-all series tie.  Casey Cizikas scored into an empty net at 18:57 and exactly one minute later, Jean-Gabriel Pageau buried his third of the playoffs.  Trade deadline acquisition Kyle Palmieri now leads the Islanders with five playoff goals. 

Boston had more shots on goal in the first period, but the Isles outshot the Bruins in both the second and third periods.  Long Island denied the Bruins any puck continuity and wind up outshooting Boston by a 35-29 margin.  Faceoffs were split down the middle at 30 apiece.  

Scott Mayfield administered some attitude adjustment to Taylor Hall, and Matt Martin squared off with Jarred Tinnordi.  Mathew Barzal even took a spear to the family jewels.  Otherwise, cross-checks and slashing were the order of the day.  All of which worked in Long Island's favor.

Tuukka Rask, simply put, is an excellent goalie.  He knows what it's like to lift the Cup.  Rask faced 32 shots, making four saves on special teams and 26 saves at even strength.  But Semyon Varlamov was a little better this game, facing 29 shots and stopping all but one.  He made nine saves on special teams, and 19 saves at even strength.

New York Islanders Take Game Two In Overtime

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

Islanders and Bruins tied; 1-1

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

*overtime

Goalie Decision Still Altering Barry Trotz's Sleep Patterns

Both teams laid a lot of hits.  In fact, the Isles in game one inflicted seven more than Boston.  Physicality in this series is expected.  But if you remember, Long Island actually had to ease back on the physicality against Pittsburgh to better sync up their game.

Game one against Boston, you look at the disparity in shots on goal, then allowing two power-play goals, then just falling apart in the third period, and no one is really left wondering what happened.  

Boston centermen fired off 19 shots on goal, and three of their centermen, in particular, accounted for six assists, while three centermen each scored a goal.  Playing without Anders Lee, the Isles centermen joined together for 18 shots on goal.  Collectively they accounted for six points, and the Isles also got three goals from their centers.  That's fairly representative.

No skater for either team would post a minus-two for the game.

Tuuka Rask faced just 22 shots, allowing one even-strength goal and one on the power play.  

Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin faces 39 shots.  He allows two power-play goals which both come very late in the period.  In the first period, David Pastrnak erases a one-goal lead with just 0:24 seconds left.  Then with the Isles trailing by two in the third, he yields a goal with 1:25 left in regulation.  He gives up three other goals at even strength.

And so, Coach Trotz spends another night with much to ponder.

For game two, Sorokin was out, and Semyon Varlamov was back in.  He faced 42 shots and stopped all but three, although it did little to avert overtime.  

Boston gets on the board at 2:38 of the first period.  But Varlamov keeps them out of the net for the rest of the first and all of the second.  Meanwhile, Long Island scores three unanswered second-period goals.  Two come on a slowly improving power play, and Kyle Palmieri tallies his fourth of the playoffs.

In a repeat of game one, the third period once again proves problematic.  Boston scores twice, sending this game into overtime.  That's when Tuuka Rask commits the mistake of a lifetime, turning over the puck, essentially handing it to Casey Cizikas, who ends the game unassisted.

The Islanders owned a slim advantage in face-offs, they increased their shots over game one, and the power play took yet another little step forward.  Physicality among both teams remains high.

Penguins Outlast Long Islanders in Battle of the Net Minders

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders and Penguins Tied; 1-1

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - PITT 2; NYI 1

Penguins Neutralizing Islanders Physicality

Truth be told, this outcome could have been worse.  Semyon Varlamov was that good.  In fact, he was rather brilliant.  Semyon went from being questionable on Monday to stopping 43 of 45 shots on goal but allowing nothing over the final 48:53 minutes of the game.

Should Coach Trotz have stuck with Ilya Sorokin?  That's academic.  Both goalies through two games have proven their worth.  

This is more about Islanders forwards putting pucks in the net.  

Long Island continues bringing the physicality, outhitting the Penguins by a 118-84 margin.  Case in point: the fourth line opened the game against Sidney Crosby's line; Jake Guentzel got knocked on his posterior; when Pittsburgh crashed the net, Matt Martin and company quickly expressed their displeasure; and Oliver Wahlstrom vs. Kris Letang almost became a thing. 

Yet, the Penguins still own a 63-57 advantage in face-offs and an 87-79 edge in shots on goal.  Meanwhile, both teams remain scoreless on the power play - nothing new for the Islanders.  

Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust scored unassisted just 3:30 into the first period.  The backbreaker came roughly ten minutes later when Jeff Carter made it a 2-0 game.  At 14:41 of the second, Josh Baily closes the Islanders' gap to one.  But that's all there was.  

I guess we say Pittsburgh's Tristan Jarry was just as good as Varlamov and maybe better.  After yielding three regulation goals and losing game one in overtime, he faces 38 shots on goal on Tuesday, stopping all but one.

Mathew Barzal ... where are you?

Casey Cizikas, Adam Pelech, and Ryan Pulock were each minus-two for the game, joined by Matt Martin and youngster Oliver Wahlstrom each with a minus-one.

N.Y. Islanders: Major Letdown Theater

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Capitals lead Islanders; 5-2

I - WAS 3; NYI 2

II - WAS 6; NYI 3

III - WAS 3; NYI 1

IV - NYI 8; WAS 4

V - NYI 1; WAS 0

VI - WAS 1l NYI 0

VII - WAS 6; NYI 3

Islanders Lose Second Straight at Home

No Ovechkin, no problem ...

The showdown that was supposed to be has turned into a major letdown.

Washington doubled up the Islanders 6-3 in the second game of their three-game set.  

The Caps already led 2-0 halfway through the first period.  Anthony Beauvillier scored an unassisted power-play goal at the 14:28 mark.  Adam Pelech then tied it at 7:37 of the second period on a shorthanded goal, again unassisted.  

However, Washington answered right back with goals at 12:21 by Nic Dowd, and at 14:46 by Daniel Sprong.  Before the period was through, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored on a power-play at the 17:12 mark bringing the Isles within one.  

But two more unanswered goals in the third gave the Capitals six even-strength goals for the game.  Making his 18th appearance, Ilya Sorokin faced 30 shots, all at even strength.  This is his fifth regulation time loss against twelve victories. 

The Islanders afforded the Capitals just one power-play opportunity.  Josh Bailey, Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, and Anthony Beauvillier were all minus-3 for the game.

That makes two home losses in a row for the Islanders and their fifth loss in seven tries against the Capitals.  Long Island trails Washington by one point in the East standings.  They meet one last time on Tuesday.

 

N.Y. Islanders Issue Philadelphia Flyers a Reality Check

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Saturday Night Fever

Flyers    1

Islanders 6

FINAL

Islanders Halt Three-Game Skid Against Flyers in Commanding Fashion

Look what happened to the Flyers, again.  Two games after getting undressed 9-0 by the Rangers at the Garden, the Islanders bounce back from Thursday's disappointing defeat against Philly with a 6-1 drubbing of the visitors Saturday at the Barn.

Like thieves in the night, the Flyers in Thursday's match scored with just over two minutes left in the third period to snap a three-all tie and come away with a 4-3 victory.  But on Saturday, the Isles offered no quarter.  Long Island scored four times within the span of about nine minutes in the first period.  Jean-Gabriel Pageau opened the scoring with a power-play goal shortly followed by Jordan Eberle's goal at the 8:01 mark.  Two minutes later, Casey Cizikas scored the first of two first-period goals for a 4-0 Islanders lead.  However, before the period expired, Joel Farabee finally got Philadelphia on the board at 17:52 with his 13th goal of the season.

After a scoreless second period, Anthony Beauvilliere and Josh Baily each scored a goal in the third, giving the Islanders a 6-1 final margin of victory.

Playing without their captain Anders Lee (lost for the season), Long Islanders centermen still generated ten shots on net with four goals and seven points.  The other guy with a C on his jersey, albeit in his name, Casey Cizikas, now has six goals for the season.

• Anders Lee will undergo right knee surgery to repair a torn ACL; he is out for the season.  He last played in a 5-3 victory on Mar. 11 against the Devils.  The Isles are now 3-2 in his absence.

Goalie Ilya Sorokin earns his seventh straight victory while benefiting from an average of 4.0 goals per game worth of support.  He faced 24 Philadelphia shots, including four on special teams, stopping all but one at even strength.

This was Long Island's first victory this season over the Flyers in four tries.  Saturday's game, coupled with the Rangers defeat of Washington again, locks the Capitals and Islanders together in a first-place tie with 44 points apiece.  Since losing five straight back in January (and two postponements against Buffalo), the Islanders are now winners 17 of their last 23 games.  Their plus-24 point differential ranks fourth in the league.

N.Y. Rangers: Another Poor Performance at the Penguin Palace

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Penguins Lead Rangers; 5-1

I - PITT 4; NYR 3

II - PITT 3; NYR 2

III - PITT 5; NYR 4

IV - NYR 3; PITT 1

V - PITT 5; NYR 1

VI - PITT 4; NYR 2

Who's On First, What's On Second, Who the Eff Is In The Middle?

How did the Rangers have more shots on goal than Pittsburgh?  Where did all these opportunities come from, because I just didn't see it?  Maybe someone can please inform me of the Rangers' time of possession for Tuesday's game?  

I kept telling my wife ... watch when they enter the offensive zone how quickly they lose possession of the puck.  Then she asks/yells/tells me ... why isn't anyone in the effing middle?  Look, it's empty out there; why isn't someone near the net?  So then I said ... that's because we don't have anyone big and rough and tough enough to win battles in the corners and make good passes to the so-called skilled players.

😠

However, in a brief moment of joy, I was pleased to see Kaako/Chytil/Lafreniere on the same line and the return of Jacob Trouba.  Otherwise, Jack Johnson's first period goal means little to nothing for me.

Brett Howden is averaging roughly 13:00 minutes through 24 games to date.  The man has just two shots on goal in his last ten games.  He has just 18 total shots on goal, but eight came within the season's first six games.  Which is to say, since Jan. 28, Brett Howden has registered a mere ten shots over his last 18 games.  Just to be a jerk, Casey Cizikas of the Islanders has 33 shots on goal through 26 games, with four goals and ten points.

By the way, Penguins centermen accounted for five points, while all Rangers' centermen accounted for just one point, a power-play goal by Ryan Strome in the third, his sixth of the season.  That's an improvement.  Because on Sunday, Blueshirt centermen accounted for just four shots and one goal from Mika Zibanejad.  In comparison, Penguins centers took nine shots on goal, tallying three goals and four assists for seven points, giving them 12 points in two games versus an inconsequential two points for the Rangers.

Making his 18th appearance of the season, Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry faced 35 shots, stopping all but one at even strength.  

In only his second start of the season and back-to-back against the Pens, Keith Kinkaid faced 21 even-strength shots allowing three and faced 26 shots overall.  The Rangers were outscored by the Penguins over the last two games by a 9-3 margin.  Said another way, Pittsburgh tripled the Rangers output.

• Artemi Panarin Count: 16 days; the Rangers are 4-4-0 in his absence.

Where's Phil Esposito when you need him?

N.Y. Islanders Pushed to the Brink of Elimination

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 3-1

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 1

Onus Now on Goalie Semyon Varlamov to Steal Game Five 

The Islanders spend the first half of game four playing their style of hockey.  They're finally rewarded when Brock Nelson finds net unassisted at 11:27 of the second period.  But after the ensuing face-off Long Island comes apart like wet toilet paper.  A mere fifteen seconds after Nelson's goal, Tampa's Blake Coleman ties the game.  Just twelve seconds later Ondrej Palat puts the Lightning ahead for good.  The Lightning add goals early and late in the third period en route to a 4-1 victory.

The Islanders go another 0 for 3 on the power play and are now just 1/14 for the series.  Tampa dominates face-offs 34-21 and out-shoot the Isles by a 36-27 margin.  In other words Long Island has no answer for the Lightning over the final half of the game.

Tampa has centers Brayden Point and Alex Killorn back on the ice but the Islanders are officially without center Casey Cizikas who did not play game three and has now exited the bubble.

The Islanders appear slow and neglectful on defense.  But if I'm picking one game out of four wherein the net minder needed to save the day, this was it.  Blake Coleman plays through a feeble poke-check attempt by Semyon Varlamov for Tampa's first goal.

Long Island has identified a roof top weakness in Andrei Vasilevskiy's game but aren't getting the requisite numbers of shots on net.  Last two games Tampa has unleashed 72 shots on goal (back-to-back games of 30+ shots on goal), while the Islanders muster 62 shots and are held under 30 shots for the third time this series.

• Andrei Vasilevskiy: 4 games; 114 SOG; 106 Saves; 8 Goals; .930SV%
• Semyon Varlamov: 4 games; 118 SOG; 105 Saves; 13 Goals; .914SV%

The Islanders are actually getting good opportunities.  But Vasilevskiy has other plans.  At the other end, it seems as if Varlamov is back in regular season form. 

• Varlamov: regular season .914 SV%; post-season .914SV%.
• Vasilevskiy: regular season .917 SV%; post-season .930SV%.

Advantage Tampa.

N.Y. Islanders: John Tavares Receives Long Island Jeers in Return to Uniondale

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

"We Don't Need You!"

WEDNESDAY

Maple Leafs   4

Islanders        5

FINAL

Throughout summer I thought it somewhat ponderous the Islanders remained staunchly inactive insofar as making noteworthy upgrades, or said another way spending some cash.  On the other hand, there's the methodical nature of Lou Lamoriello to consider.  But still ... quiet is as quiet does.  Rather the Isles part ways with last season's starting goalie (Robin Lehner whom posts a career best 25 wins and 2.13 GAA) and import veteran Semyon Varlamov to share time with mainstay Thomas Greiss.  Both have each made nine starts.  Varlamov to date is 6-2-1 with a .917 SV% and a 2.56 GAA.  Meanwhile Greiss is doing outstanding, going 7-1-0 with a .942 SV% and 1.88 GAA.  But that speaks only to the pucks that actually get through.  On Wednesday the Islanders blocked 22 shots versus just eight by Toronto.  And thus you have the reasons why the Islanders have yielded the NHL's least number of goals.

Offensively they're middle of the pack with 54 goals but are nevertheless third in point differential (+15).  On Wednesday however they break out for three even strength goals, and two on the power play against a teetering Toronto club.

John Tavares makes his much anticipated return on Long Island as a member of the Maple Leafs.  Fans greet him with chants of "We Don't Need You!"  Then the Islanders go about proving it.  At 14:23 of the first period Mathew Barzal opens the scoring with his eighth goal of the season.  Anthony Beauvillier's power play goal in the final minute of the period gives the Isles a 2-0 lead.  Toronto ties the game at two midway through the second period.  But the Islanders regain the lead on Beauvillier's second goal at the 16:43 mark.  Casey Cizikas' late third period goal effectively puts the game out of reach.  Other than assisting on Kasperi Kapanen's second period goal, John Tavares proves a non factor.  That is until he scores a inconsequential goal with just 0:38 seconds left in the game.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• #2 - N.Y. Islanders    13-3-1 (27 points)
• #12 - N.Y. Rangers     8-7-2 (18 points)
• #16 - N.J. Devils        5-8-4 (14 points)

After losing three of their first four games to begin the season, the Islanders have since gone 12-0-1 to claim second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

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!

Montreal Canadiens Conclude Week Long Siege of Metropolitan Area

From the desks of:  

ALL MOTHER LEEDS CHILDREN,   FIVE FOR FLATBUSH,

and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

N.H.L.
Eastern Conference Standings:

#1 MON  18-4-2 (38)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#2 NYR  16-5-2 (34)

#8 NYI  11-8-4 (26)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#10 NJD  11-9-2 (24)

Les Habitants posent le siege a la region metropolitaine; distancent NY/NJ dans la ruine.

The Habs Lay Siege to the Metropolitan Area; Leave NY/NJ Behind in Ruins

While most Americans were busy preparing for, then partaking in our nation's annual Thanksgiving Holiday, les Habitants de Montreal sprung hockey's version of Tet (Offensive) into action against the NY/NJ metropolitan area member clubs.

Their week long siege of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Newark, concluded Friday evening with one last 3-2 shootout victory over the Devils at the Rock.

In truth, Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, and the Prudential Center all crumbled under Montreal's Godzilla-like rampage through downtown Tokyo.  The combined forces of the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils are thus far 0-5 versus the Canadiens in November, and were outscored by a heavily tilted 24-9 margin.

Heading into Saturday's Devils/Canadiens game, an area team has yet to defeat the (now) Eastern Conference leading Montreal Canadiens.

Oct. 15 - MON 3; NYR 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nov. 5 - MON 4; NYI 1
Nov. 20 - MON 5; NYI 3
Nov. 22 - MON 4; NYI 2
Nov. 25 - MON 5; NYR 1
Nov. 27 - MON 3; NJD 2 (so)
Nov. 28 - NYD @ MON

As of Friday night's final scores, the Montreal Canadiens lead the conference with 86 goals scored.   The Rangers are a distant 5th with 70; the Islanders 64 goals rank 6th, and the Devils 53 goals are 11th in the Eastern standings.

Defensively, the Rangers 47 goals allowed are still best in the NHL.  Montreal's 53 GA rank 4th; the Devils 55 GA are 6th, and the Islanders 57 GA are 7th in the Eastern Conference.


New Jersey Devils: Cory Schneider Keeping Newark Within a Pitchfork's Distance of Top Eight.

Saturday

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

vs.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

FROM

The Great White North

With little question, Cory Schneider is the lead story in the Devils .500 start this season. Were it not for Schneider's play, where would New Jersey be other than much lower in the Eastern Conference standings?

For the moment, there are four NHL goalies with at least 17 starts: Cory Schneider, Henrik Lundqvist, Ben Bishop, and Braden Holtby.

Newark is playing representative defense, as Schneider has faced the second fewest shots, is second with a .927 Sv% among the four aforementioned goalies, while his and Henrik Lundqvist's 2.05 GAA average rank tied for 3rd.

The Devils obviously lack in the scoring department, which doesn't forecast to be changing much as the season progresses.  New Jersey is averaging the least shots on goal per game in the league.

Adam Henrique, now the seasoned vet, leads the team with 10 goals.  Winger Mike Cammalleri leads with 22 points.

• Patrick Elias made his first appearance of the season against the Florida Panthers Friday, and after a change in scoring, he was credited with the 612th ever assist career, giving the Devils all-time points leader 1,018 for his career.

The Devils were the only team of the three locals able of taking the Canadiens beyond regulation time.  While that's no consolation, New Jersey did expose some chinks in Montreal's amour and gained a point.  Losing in shootout was just plain unfortunate, and should be taken as a failed opportunity to at least tie idle (#9) Tampa with 25-points.

And so begins life under a new regime.  Head coach John Hayse is an AHL promotion, while Ray Shero, whom constructed a Cup winner in Pittsburgh, assumed GM and Vice Presidential duties from the departed Lou Lamoriello.

It's still too early in their respective tenures for them to impact this team.  Instead, certain players should bet they're being evaluated very closely - maybe Adam Larrson among them. Otherwise, Patrik Elias will be moving on after the season.  The face of the Devils will begin changing in earnest either at the trade deadline, or next off-season for sure.

There's certainly several teams behind them in the standings that should not be underestimated.   Florida and Columbus might interfere with even the best laid plans of clinching the 8th seed.  But, Tampa, NYI. etc., will factor plenty as well.

The Devils, in other words, have no margin for error.  In a sense, not much has changed, then.  They have no star player to speak of, and must rely on a highly disciplined system in order to get by.

The Canadiens and Devils will finalize their home-and-home engagement north of the border on Saturday.


New York Islanders: Flatbush Itching for a Fight?

Saturday

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

vs.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

FROM

Sunny Hot Florida

Just as the New York Rangers and Devils learned, Montreal is fast turning into the Eastern Conference team of all measure.

The Islanders are already 0-3 against them this month alone.  They fell 4-1 in Montreal on Nov. 4, then dropped a home and home against the Habs just prior to hosting, and defeating the Flyers 3-1 on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve.

But, to hear Casey Cizikas put it, you'd think the Islanders arrived upon the Rubicon.

As the 3rd period against the Flyers devolved into typical mayhem, fists flew as one could expect.   But, Cizikas (as per Thurday's Newsday/Laura Albanese) thought -

"that's exactly what we needed.  A good, hard game like that ... They're fun.  When they get testy like that, when they get physical like that.."

Despite losing in a shootout at Sunrise, Florida, against the Panthers Friday night, the Islanders brought that same fighting spirit with them, and employed their hands once things got chippy for a second straight game.

When the Islanders play aggressively, and utilize their size and physicality effectively, the Islanders play their best hockey - Friday's outcome withstanding.

They're starting to feel good about themselves ... Clutterbuck, Martin, and Cizikas that is - which spells trouble for any team.

Under those circumstances, Jarolsav Halak could, and really should play well enough for them.  He's only made 12 starts so far (and therefore was not included in my previously sampled goalie comparison).  He's pitched two shutouts, with a .921 Sv%, while a 2.03 GAA puts him right there with Schneider and Lundqvist.

The newly transplanted Brooklynites seemingly tightened up their defense this year, particularly on the penalty kill.  They are presently 11th best, which as Isles fans know is a marked improvement over previous seasons, when they routinely averaged among the league's bottom tier PKs.

Ponderous, however, has been their inability to consistently score on the power play this season - which has traditionally been their strength in previous seasons.  To date, the Islanders are 24th on the power play.

The Islanders play Tampa and Colorado before they welcome the New York Rangers to Brooklyn, in what will undoubtedly start the next chapter of their long running rivalry.

Now it's Borough against Borough - or maybe it will build up to that over time, as Long Islanders are the one's largely attending games during this early going.  Expect hoards of Rangers fans in the building as well.

This intra-city situation has a way to go before getting ironed out.


New York Rangers: Some Things Just Never Change...

Saturday

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street and 8th Avenue

Fellow Rangers fans, I want you (us) to consider what (NYI) Casey Cizikas said for a second.

(tick).

Now I want you to consider the hit Boston's Matt Belesky put on Derek Stepan Friday afternoon.

Matt Belesky is a marginal NHL player at best, whom enjoyed one decent season last year with the Ducks - perhaps the product of being on a good team, aye?  Although he does not usually go about the ice accumulating an obscene amount of brutish penalty minutes, his hit on Stepan was nevertheless a gross disregard of common sense.  Avoiding that play is constantly being drilled into player's minds.   It's outright dangerous.

Derek Stepan is now out indefinitely with several broken ribs.   Seems like a fair trade-off, right?

Exactly!

We know teams have freely taken their liberties against the Rangers for several years now, because they're generally secure in the fact there will be no reprisals.

Enter Dylan McIlrath, whom followed the play and proceeded to throw Matt (marginal player) Belesky a beating.

Thank you Dylan McIlrath!  That's the kind of element that makes other teams think twice about taking runs at your mates, or goalies for that matter.

But therein lies the physical player Alain Vigneault has no use for.  McIlrath has only played in five games, and has accumulated 17 penalty minutes, most of which came Friday.  Are there deficiencies in his game?  Sure.  But, I'd argue he needs playing time.  In return I would ask if his physical presence on the ice is becoming more critical by the day?  And to that I say unhesitatingly, absolutely, resoundingly, yes.

In fact, I find this whole start disturbing.  Pretty crazy to say considering the Rangers are third in all the NHL with 34 points.  But is it really, after the way they played Montreal on Nov. 25th?  I don't think so.  What was supposed to be a battle for Eastern Conference supremacy, instead turned into the Rangers poorest performance of the season.  One bad line change very early on got Montreal started, while the Rangers night just continued deteriorating.

In two games against the Canadiens to date, the Rangers are 0-2, and have been outscored by a commanding 8-1 margin.

Next item...  Time to start keeping tabs on Henrik's playing time.  He's been brilliant thus far, as usual.  The soon to be 34-year old, is arguably enjoying one of his best seasons, and is easily carrying the team.

Prior to Friday's disappointing loss against in Boston, Henrik was leading the league with 542 saves made, a .939 Sv%, and a 1.94 GAA.

Henrik Lundqvist is now tied for the league lead with 19 starts entering Saturday's action.  He also leads the league with 611 shots against.  He's the only goalie in the league above the 600 mark.   There's many reasons for that, which I'll get into another time.  Ottawa's Craig Anderson is second with 588 SA.

We're basically talking about an untenable situation over the long haul of the season, and we're only one-quarter of the way through.

Defensively, the Rangers have given up the third most shots on goal.  It is what it is - Rangers defensemen do not have enough physical presence, and as a result, fail to clear traffic effectively.   They rely on positioning, stick work, and anything but moving bodies around.

Offensively, this also means the Rangers aren't spending nearly enough time in their own zone.  It's usually one shot and done, then back the other way.  They've only taken the 20th most shots on goal.