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.

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. Rangers: Some Things Never Change

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

In round one of the 1978-1979 NHL playoffs, the New York Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers.  They would likewise defeat the New York Islanders in round two en route to the Stanley Cup finals against the Montreal Canadiens.  

Islanders defenseman and Norris trophy winner Dennis Potvin scored 101 points that season, making him only the second blueliner in NHL history to notch 100 points in a season.  

Rangers fans of that generation always wondered if the outcome against Montreal might have played out differently had defenseman, Ulf Nilsson, been available.  On Feb. 25, 1979, in a game against the Islanders, Nilsson skated into the left corner to pursue a loose puck.  With his head down and eyes focused on the puck, Nilsson gets blasted into the boards by an onrushing Dennis Potvin.  The result of the hit was a broken ankle.  It was also the genesis of the "Potvin Sucks!" chant, now over 40 years old.  Too many fans today participate in the chant, not knowing its origin, but just play along because it's the thing to do.  

I digress ...

Nick Fotiu played for that Rangers team.  His presence often made opponents think twice before committing any on-ice indiscretions against the Blueshirts.  The lack of a similar type of player arguably cost the Rangers a Stanley Cup or even two during the late 1960s and early 1970s.  

Fast-forward, Mike Keenan was aghast upon his arrival as head coach of the Rangers at that systemic lack of physicality and essentially ordered general manager Neil Smith to fix it. 

All these years later, the song remains the same.  On Apr. 14, against the Islanders, Jacob Trouba absorbed a big hit from Matt Martin and has been out of action ever since.  Max Pacioretty's hit on Brad Richards several years back comes to mind.  But the list of unanswered hits goes on and on.

The assumption was John Davidson lived it and knows better.

The assumption was Jeff Gorton came through the Boston organization and knows better.

Yes, the Rangers are rebuilding, but they continue ignoring this one critical component.

One Stanley Cup since 1940 ... just ask Mike Keenan.  He knew post-haste what the problem was.

• UPDATE: Did you see Monday's game against the Washington Capitals?  Did you see what Tom Wilson did to Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin?

Smurfs!

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: Ilya Sorokin Saves The Day

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL/SO

Ilya Sorokin Earns the Save in Closing Out His Ninth Win of the Season

After Long Island stormed the Capitals on Thursday, neighboring New Jersey failed to seize the moment against Washington losing in overtime on Friday, thus handing the Caps a two-point edge over the Isles in the East Divison standings.

On Saturday, the Isles and Flyers skated through a scoreless first session.  While on a second-period power-play Anthony Beauvillier opened the scoring at 12:01 on feeds from Jordan Eberle and Matt Martin.  Then, roughly three and a half minutes later, Beauvillier scored his second of the period (and his eighth of the season) on an assist from Mathew Barzal. 

Philly then turned the tables.  At 6:38 of the third, Claude Giroux scored unassisted, cutting Long Island's lead to one.  Then just under four minutes later, Giroux scores his second of the period (and his eleventh of the season), tying the game at two.  And that's the way it remains through the rest of regulation time.

The Islanders closed the final 0:15 second of overtime on a fruitless power play, but not before Philly goalie Carter Hart had already fulfilled the role of a thief.

In the shootout, Ilya Sorokin would outlast Carter Hart.  After three scoreless rounds, Mathew Barzal finally beat Carter for the potential winner.  Sorokin then stopped Philly's final attempt to secure the victory.  Ilya Sorokin faced 32 shots in all, making seven special team saves and 23 at even strength.  

Long Island is now 7-4 since losing Anders Lee for the season from an injury sustained on March 11 against the Devils.  That is not to suggest the Isles do not miss their Captain.  They mustered just 24 shots on goal against Philly, while their centermen accounted for only six shots and one assist.

Trotz's Troop nonetheless gain two points and reclaim their half-share of first place in the East.

N.Y. Islanders Forge First Play Tie With Capitals

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS  &  SPICY BUFFALO HOCKEY PUCKS

Isles lead Sabres; 4-0

I - NYI 3; BUF 1

II - NYI 3; BUF 0

III - NYI 3; BUF 2

IV - NYI 5; BUF 2

SATURDAY

Sabres

vs

Islanders

FROM

The Barn

Long Island Back On Top Of Local Hockey Scene

With another convincing victory over the Sabres, the Islanders win their third in a row and five of their last six.

Buffalo has their issues, we know.  The Isles committed no penalties and therefore afforded their opponents no power play opportunities.  Long Island outshot the Sabres by a whopping 45-18 margin.  Matt Martin led the charge with two goals in the first and third periods, respectively.  The first came off a wrister at an incredible angle from the left goal line.  He came rushing from the right side on the second goal, bull-rushed the net, and tucked in his own rebound.

Noah Dobson opened the scoring in the first period with his second of the season.  Anthony Beauvillier made it a 3-1 game in the second also with his second goal of the season, and Jordan Eberle added his ninth of the season at 3:14 of the third.

After starting the season losing six of nine games, including a five-game skid, the Islanders have since posted ten wins in their last 14 games.  Now with 30 points, the Islanders are presently tied for first place with the Washington Capitals for the Ridiculous Division; the Boston Bruins are next in 29 points.

Revived New York Islanders Short Circuit Bolts in Game Three

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 2-1

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

THE LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR MOOD MANAGEMENT WELCOMES YOU

What's a Long Islander to do when the opposition shows up for work a few forwards short of a dozen?  You forecheck the crap out of whoever is left.  I do not say that facetiously.  The Lightning were forced to play five different forwards in excess of eighteen minutes each.  They might as well have had "Tenderize Me" stitched on the back of their jerseys.

Tampa is making a big mistake if they're trying to raise the physicality of this series instead of what worked for them in game one: dump and chase and speed to the puck.  Time and again in game one they made Islanders defensemen turn their backs and skates towards the boards.  Lately, not so much.

And there's the rub ...

Coming off the Flyers series, who said the Islanders would need a few games before they get their skates under them?  Who predicted the Isles would be down 2-1 after three games?  And who said they'd be better for it?

Thank you very much, although the latter remains to be seen.

Game two was very much an Islander type game.  But they blinked, twice, and Lightning struck.  It goes like that sometimes.  Make no mistake: the Islanders are feeling good again .. and feisty.  Game three's boxscore says Tampa out-hit the Islanders by a 66-42 margin.  You can believe that if you like.  After all, numbers don't lie.  But if you watched, you know that's not what happened.  Long Island makes up for a disparity in hits via several scrums.  Moreover, Matt Martin exacts a measure of revenge upon Barclay Goodrow on behalf of Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau gives Nikita Kucherov a much needed attitude adjustment.  On a more clandestine level, Long Island also keeps a closer eye on Ryan McDonagh.

If the Islanders let one get away in game two, they slammed the door shut on game three.  Not before Tampa nearly takes over this game, proving once again they can outscore mistakes and in this instance a shortage of available skaters.  The Lightning overcome a 3-1 deficit with two goals in the third period.  But the reinvigorated Islanders strike back.  Brock Nelson scores at 16:35 assisted by Anthony Beaulliviere and Josh Bailey.  At 19:24 Jean-Gabriel Pageau scores into an empty net.

The Islanders finally break through Andrei Vasilevskiy with four goals on 35 shots.  Semyon Varlamov faces 37 shots and makes 34 saves.  But he plays much better than the numbers indicate.

N.Y. Islanders: Zapped Again

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 2-0

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

When Lightning Strikes the Same Place Twice

This is the type of game the Islanders wanted to play, proving game one was an aberration.  They had everything going their way.  Tampa enters the game with eleven forwards and seven blue liners.  Midway through the second period the Bolts were playing with only nine forwards - no Steven Stamkos; no Brayden Point; no Alex Killorn.  Long Island yields just 21 shots on goal.  They keep Tampa scoreless in three power play opportunities.  The Isles win more face-offs and inflict more overall hits.  And they play with an early lead.  Matt Martin scores at the 1:24 mark of the opening period.  After which, the Isles spend upwards of twelve minutes in Tampa's end to start the game. 

At 5:55 of the first, Alex Killorn is called for a five minute major and a game misconduct for his vicious boarding of Brock Nelson.  The Isles get off five shots on goal but come up empty.

By the eight minute mark Tampa appears to be recovering from Long Island's opening surge.  But the Isles veto that and continue applying pressure.  Midway through Long Island owns an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.  At 13:54 Ryan Pulock is whistled for tripping.  The Isles kill the penalty without allowing a single shot on goal.  It's part of a ten minute stretch in which the Islanders prevent the Bolts from taking a single shot.  Once out of the box, Pulock continues covering Brayden Point like a blanket, clearing the way for Mathew Barzal being the best centerman on the ice.

COMMITTING CARDINAL SIN of HOCKEY NUMBER ONE:

In the closing moments of the first period the Isles are called for a ponderous icing infraction.  The stripes clearly get this one wrong.  Back in their end the Isles lose the ensuing face-off.  Victor Hedman, there's that name again, scores with 1:34 showing on the clock.

COMMITTING CARDINAL SIN of HOCKEY NUMBER TWO:

The score remains unchanged for the next forty-four minutes and fourteen seconds.  Tampa does not achieve their tenth SOG of the game until the fourteen minute mark in the second.  But then, Long Island commits a defensive zone turnover.  At 19:51 of the third an uncontested Nikita Kucherov beats Semyon Varlamov; the Lightning lead 2-1; overtime averted. 

Assist by Ryan McDonagh ... a hard cross-ice pass from deep down along the left boards that goes untouched by three defenders.  Kucherov was positioned and waiting the whole time.

For two fleeting moments in time the Islanders slept on Tampa and it cost them dearly.  For a second straight game Ryan McDonagh proves Long Island's phantom menace.  Tampa is being aggressive on the pinch.  Tampa is known to interweaves a forward through the defensemen in order to facilitate just that; no big secret.  But the Islanders are letting McDonagh get lost in the crowd.  McDonagh is alone and free and more than happy to assist.

And so the Islanders had everything going for them except the final score.

They certainly had their chances, many chances in fact.  However, they go 0 for 4 on the power play; costly was their inability to score during a five minute major to Killorn.  But more than anyone, Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy deserves all three game stars.  Just hand em over.  He has started all fifteen games for Tampa since the NHL's return to action.  In game two he faces 28 shots and stops all but one.  Another way of looking at it: he yields a goal 1:24 into the opening period then shuts out the Islanders the rest of the way.

Tampa also seemed to have it in for Brock Nelson who suffers not one but two major boarding incidents, only the second period infraction goes uncalled.

Otherwise, never allow a goal in the first two minutes or last two minutes of any period!

I still say a 2-1 series deficit is manageable.  But the Islanders must now win game three or else be faced with having to sweep the final four.  Winning four of the next five .. not out of the question.

N.Y. Islanders: Opponents Yet to Penetrate Isles Defenses

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles lead Flyers; 2-1

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

III - NYI 3; PHI 1

*overtime

Games Three and Five I believe are the most pivotal in any playoff series.  There will be a fifth game, that is certain.  For now the Islanders take care of business by securing game three to reestablish a 2-1 series lead against the Philadelphia Vigneault Flyers. 

Since entering the bubble the Islanders have limited Florida, Washington and now Philadelphia within the constraints set forth by Coach Trotz' system (game two's OT loss is no different).

Through twelve games and 36 periods of regulation hockey the Islanders technically are still yet to allow thirty shots on net.  They're also doing an increasingly better job of staying out of the box and in turn playing a great majority of their games at even strength (and their chief strength).

Even their power play is improving.  They've so far traded eight special team goals with their competition.  However, whereas their PP went 4/16 against against Florida and a lowly 2/22 against Washington, they are so far 2/6 against Philly.  Conversely the Islanders have allowed Florida fourteen PP opportunities and Washington sixteen opportunities.  So far they've limited the Flyers to zero tallies in only four opportunities.

Semyom Varlamov faces 27 shots in game three letting just one get by.  Flyers winger Tyler Pitlick opens the scoring at 14:18 of the first period.  The goal marks only the twelfth even strength goal yielded by the Islanders since entering the bubble.  Overall, they are allowing an average of 1.6 goals per game with Varlamov stopping .932% (.914 regular season) of all shots on net.

After Pitlick's goal the Flyers are incapable of withstanding Long Island's ensuing surge.  Matt Martin scores his third goal of the playoffs at 7:12 of the second session.  Then with the second session winding down Philadelphia commits one of the cardinal sins in hockey: allowing a goal in the first or last two minutes of a period - at 19:54 Leo Komarov does just that.  He becomes the 13th different Islanders skater to score a goal though twelve playoff games.  At 3:41 of the third period, Anders Lee puts the game out of reach when he scores on a power play for his sixth tally of the post-season.  The Islanders are outscoring opponents by an overall 40-20 margin - exactly double.  At even strength the Isles hold a dominant 32-12 advantage.

Best news for Islanders fans is that both Martin's and Komarov's goals come off defensive end take-aways.  Varlamov also withstands Philly's 6 on 4 power play in the closing minutes of the game.

Three opponents, no answers.

Game Four awaits ...

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: No Rest for the Weary; Complicated Off-Season Ahead

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Hockey Thing One

VS.

Hockey Thing Two

Where do we go from here?  

And by we, I do mean Brooklyn and Long Islanders.

I - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club

Hello Islanders fans.  Sorry it didn't work out.

If you are a regular rider of this blog I call The Trolley, then you know I've been a Rangers fan since the mid to late 1970s.  In turn, that once made you my enemy.  But I'm much older now, and no longer harbor such anger within me.

Above all, mine is a Brooklyn-centric blog, and so I think I've handled the Islanders very fairly.  I just call it as I see it without dumping a cooler of Rangers Hate-o-Rade all over them.  In fact, I feel I've been quite supportive, and even suggested the Smurfs Rangers could have learned a thing or two from the Isles.

I hope you'll agree.

I still say this team belongs in Long Island - not Brooklyn.  Understandably, they did not necessarily move to Flatbush Avenue by choice.  So when the residents of Nassau County voted down the final arena proposal, I temporarily named the Islanders portion of this Trolley - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club.

Once they settled into Barclays Center, I changed over to - Five For Flatbush - because I thought it would acknowledge the team's toughness, pay tribute to their previous history and the pursuit of a fifth Stanley Cup, and incorporate their arrival on Flatbush Avenue, all in one title.

The old Brooklyn Americans only practiced in Brooklyn.  They never played NHL games here.   Therefore, the first NHL regular season and first Stanley Cup playoffs in Brooklyn history are now officially a matter of record.

The Islanders last won a playoff series back in 1993, or 23 years ago - pick your poison.  But with their first round victory over the Florida Panthers, Brooklyn is now vested in this too..


II - Charles Wang isn't leaving the building, but he'll be occupying a much smaller office.

Upon assuming ownership of the Islanders, Charles Wang's first challenge was restoring a demoralized fan base's faith in the aftermath of the Mike Milbury, Stephen Walsh, and the utterly ponderous Jon Spano era.

Wang seemingly tried as best he could keeping them in Long Island, but ultimately lost tens of millions of dollars floating them until faced with no other alternative but to move the team out of Uniondale.  A sadly outdated coliseum, the doomed Lighthouse project, Nassau County bureaucrats, and a justifiably overburdened and fed up tax base, all seemingly conspired against him.

Right?

By his own doing, Charles Wang will now take a back seat as a minority owner, while new majority owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin take over the helm.

The $99,000 dollar question is what will their personal ideas be for the Islanders?  Will they decide playing in Barclays Center is an untenable situation, and therefore pursue relocating out of the metropolitan area all together?  Or will they continue tolerating their present condition, and just stay?

Then there's the matter of branding.  Is there such a thing as dual identity?  How long will new ownership continue with this split personality?

After four consecutive Stanley Cup championships, the Islanders traditional jersey is still iconic.   Should they opt to stick with it full time, unchanged, they'd be completely within their right.   Flatbush, after all, is still terra firma of Long Island Proper.  There's no real need to change the name, or re-brand for that matter.

But they did just that ... kinda.

The question, then, is will they take an additional step forward, above and beyond the black/white BKLN alternate uniform, and embrace a larger allegiance to Brooklyn, and market themselves as such?

I noticed no attempt by the Islanders to wear their Brooklyn alternative uniform during the playoffs.

That's fine - correct even.  I'm just saying...


III - Garth Snow

Will Garth Snow move forward with the organization, or will new ownership opt to go in a new direction?

Whoever the general manager is, he or she will have major financial decisions to make with regards to Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin.  Among the Islanders soon-to-be free agents, I consider them indispensable.

Afterward, who knows if new ownership is interested in resetting the team's spending limits.  That remains to be seen.  What the Islanders do have is prospects, which they should consider moving a few for more established players.

The Islanders posted back-to-back 100-point seasons.  There's still time to keep this together and win. But they're two quality players short.  Re-Sign Okposo and find both him and John Tavares a quality line compliment.  Then either bolster the 2nd/3rd line, or add a bruising, reliable stay-home defenseman.


IV - So What Happened?

Hard to say....

By Game Five, the damage had been done.  Through Game Four, the Isles had been outscored by an 11-14 margin.  Here's the best way I can explain the 3 goal differential:

• Jon Cooper pulled the goalie late in Game Three, and Tampa tied with just 0:38 left in regulation, then won in overtime.

• In Game Four, Tampa tied the game in the 3rd, and send a second consecutive game into overtime.

• The rest, as they say is history.

Now for the painfully obvious - despite playing without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman, the Lightning still won the series by a decisive 4-1 margin.

In hindsight, I'm still not sure where debating Thomas Greiss versus Jaroslav Halak may lead.   Thomas Greiss was screened on far too many shots by Lightning skaters, and that's exactly why I'm not up to having the Jaroslav Halak debate.  Refer instead back to Garth Snow, and on-ice lapses
in effective traffic control.

What I do know is the Islanders continually gave up back breaking goals within the final two minutes of a period.  Two overtime losses in Brooklyn?  Don't know what to say about those either, other than the Isles actually did a lot of things right.  But once you get into overtime ... pffff!  The original misstep occurs in regulation.

Here's another item I refuse to tackle - as John Tavares goes, so go the Isles.  This is no time for finger pointing.  We know who the contributors were, and who the under performers were.  My only answer to that, again, is ... see Garth Snow.

One thing is certain, and they proved it again, the Islanders had the best 4th forward line in all of hockey.  They should look into keeping them together.  They're a tremendous asset most NHL teams can not handle.

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: Halfway Through, Long Island Is Number One

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

27-13-1 (55 points)

1st place, Metropolitan Division

2nd place, Eastern Conference

New York Islanders: The Power of John Tavares Compels You.

Exactly half way through the regular season, the New York Islanders are in first place of the Metropolitan Division, one point ahead of the Penguins.  With 55 points, they trail only the Tampa Bay Lightning (58 points) for the conference lead.

They've scored the most goals in their division, and the third most in the conference behind Tampa and Toronto.

Friday night, the Islanders hooked up against the Newark Devils at The Rock.  Entering the game, the Isles went 2-2 during their recent trek into Canada, with both losses (particularly to Edmonton) coming on the back end.

Friday Final:

Islanders  3

Devils       2

OT

Islanders lead series 3-0

Three points by John Tavares helped Long Island snap that two game skid, as the Isles fought their way to a third straight victory over the Devils this season.

After a tightly contested 1st period, Travis Zajac gave Newark a 1-0 lead midway through the 2nd.

Shortly after Zajac's goal, Matt Martin felt his team needed a swift skate in the posterior, so he took it out on the Devils Mark Fraser.  Fraser had a tight, jersey grip inside jab going, while Martin relied on hooks and straight rights.  After the two connected on their share of haymakers, Martin dropped Fraser to the ice with one last shot to the head.

John Tavares then took care of the rest.  A minute into the 3rd period, he was credited with a secondary assist on Josh Bailey's game tying goal.

At the 7:23 mark, old/new Devil Scott Gomez put Newark back on top, but roughly 6-minutes later, John Tavares scored his 18th goal of the season to knot the game at two.

....and into overtime they went.

At 2:57 into the extra session, a forechecking John Tavares picked defenseman Adam Larsson's pocket along the boards behind the Devils net.  By 3:01, Tavares was circling back towards net, and at 3:03 put a move on Adam Henrique and Peter Harrold that had them standing still.  At 3:05, John Tavares put the puck passed Devils back-up goalie Keith Kinkaid for the win.

The Devils entered the game with a 3-4 record since firing Peter DeBoer on December 26th.  Prior to the firing, the Devils were stumbling along with a 12-17-7 record.

Roster Problems?

After two stints on injured reserve, Michael Grabner returned to the ice on Tuesday against the Canucks.  In two games back, he has 4 SOG.  For the moment, defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is on IR, which made room for Grabner.

This situation will need some weeding out, but at who's expense?

TONIGHT

New York Islanders

vs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

from

Some rink in Ohio

(Penguins @ Habs)

Mike

N.Y. Islanders: Sweep Pair From Penguins; Grab Share Of First Place

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Metropolitan Division

Penguins   13-4-2  28 points

Islanders   14-6-0  28 points

New York Islanders: Saturday Night Fever In Uniondale!

Last Saturday in Tampa, the Islanders suffered a 5-2 defeat in the front end of a home-and-home series against the Lightning.  On Tuesday, the Long Islanders exacted their revenge upon the Bolts with a 5-2 victory on home ice.

On Friday, the Islanders opened a home-and-home against the Metropolitan Division leading Penguins in Pittsburgh.  The last time the Isles visited Pittsburgh on October 18th, they lost by a 3-1 margin.  This time they outlasted the Pens in a 5-4 shootout.

The Islanders reengaged the Penguins Saturday evening in Uniondale.  After Ivgeni Malkin opened the scoring with a 1st period goal, Matt Martin tied the game in the 2nd period.  The Isles then dominated the Pens during a 3-goal 3rd period to gain a 4-1 final, and a series sweep.

The Islanders essentially arrested Sidney Crosby, who managed just one SOG, and lost 60% of his face-offs.

The Isles out-shot Pittsburgh by a 71-58 margin over the two games.

Brock Nelson continues to reward Garth Snow, this time with his 10th goal of the season.  Matt Martin's only 2 goals this season came during this series.  John Tavares closed-out Saturday's scoring with his 8th of the season.

With 1 goal in 2 opportunities, the Islanders power play is now operating at 20.2% efficiency, and has scored in 11 of their 20 games this season.

The Long Islanders won playing physical hockey as well.  Travis Hamonic mixed it up early with Steve Downie, whom continued to goon it up throughout the game, specifically with a dirty hit on Hickey.  And as the 3rd period wound down, Hamonic let Pitt's Zack Sill know he wasn't putting up with any last minute crap either.

In his last two starts, goalie Jaroslav Halak has posted victories over the Penguins and Lightning.  In gaining his 9th win of the season Saturday night, he made a short-handed save, two saves on the PK, and stopped 24/25 even strength shots.  He has now won 6 straight, and started 7 of the Islanders 10 games this month.

In Friday's game, back-up Chad Johnson made his 7th start of the season and earned the shoot-out victory in Pittsburgh.

This latest victory gives the Islanders 8 in their last 9 games, and more importantly, earned them a share of 1st place in the Metropolitan Division along with these same Pittsburgh Penguins (whom have a game in hand).

Lastly, the TV guys said this is the New York Islanders best start to a season since the 1987-1988 campaign.

In 20 games this season, they only have losses against Toronto and Winnipeg to atone for.   Otherwise, the Islanders have racked up impressive victories over the Rangers, Sharks, Bruins, Ducks, Kings, Lightning, and now a pair against the Penguins.

The Islanders have also seemingly straightened out their penalty kill.  In October they killed-off 22 of 33 power plays, for a poor 66.6% rate of effectiveness.  In November, they have so far killed-off 23 of 28 power plays, for a vastly improved 82.1% rate.

That said, the Islanders are starting to get things done in all aspects of the game.



Mike

New York Islanders Gain A Split In Pittsburgh With Huge 4-3 Win

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLLUB

GAME TWO FINAL

ISANDERS    4

Penguins        3

 

Series Tied 1-1

NEW YORK ISLANDERS - We Have A Series!  Isles Take Game Two In Pittsburgh, Gain Road Split.  Next Stop - Long Island.


After going down 2-0 to the Penguins in Pittsburgh just over three minutes into the game, it seemed a perfect time for Long Island to lie down.  Then after falling behind 3-1 after twenty-minutes, with two goals already coming from Sidney Crosby in his first game back from a broken face, it seemed like a perfect time to just punch out, or punch him.  But twenty shots on goal by the Isles were telling a different story.  The Penguins took twelve shots by comparison.  Matt Moulson scored on what is a good Islander PP unit to keep the period respectable.


Then at just 5:12 of the second period, Colin McDonald gained the crowd's attention when he stuffed a puck past Marc Andre Fleury to make it a 3-2 game.  That came on the heels of Kyle Okposo's first ever fight, as he got in some knuckles in against Matt Niskanen.  In fact, the Islanders spent a lot of time in the Pens zone after the fight.  A little later on, when Sindy Crosby got rolled by Brian Strait, Ivgeni Malken got whistled after sticking up for his girlfriend, and the Igloo fans started littering the ice with stuff.  Sensing the home town situation was rattled, Matt Martin tied the game at three goals each at the 10:37 mark of the period.  Shots on goal were a lot more even during the second twenty minutes of play.  But the Islanders were alive and well, and had the Pittsburgh crowd in a really foul mood.  Ivgeni Nabokov made thirteen saves in the second session.  Long Island took fourteen shots against Fleury.


Playing in only his sixth period of playoff hockey, Kyle Okposo translated all his game energy into an ugly, Fleury gaffe, go-ahead goal at the 12:23 mark.  And that's the way this game finished - effectively wiping out a drubbing the Isles suffered in Game One.


Ivgeni Nabokov rebounded from a sub-par Game One, in which he may also have had his bell rung via a puck to the head.  Friday, he made thirty stops in thirty-three chances.  He remained perfect after the Pen's three early first period goals.  The Islanders took forty-two shots on goal.  Fleury made thirty-eight saves.  The Islanders can stand to win some more face-offs though.

It's never a series until the home team loses a game.  Both teams travel back to Long Island now for Games Three and Four.



Mike.BTB