From the desk of: BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB
NEW YORK ISLANDERS: GM Garth Snow Pulls Off Bold Move; Sends The Popular Matt Moulson Shuffling Off To Buffalo, In Exchange For Thomas Vanek.
For now, Devils fans, and Rangers fans like myself just have to suck it up. The Long Islanders are currently the best hockey team in the metropolitan area, and arguably just got better. Today, the Islanders negotiated an early season trade they feel will significantly improve their scoring. But GM Garth Brooks is taking an awfully big chance.
Garth Snow traded the very popular and productive Matt Moulson, along with a 2014 1st round pick, and a 2015 2nd round pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for 29-year old winger Thomas Vanek. He'll immediately join John Tavares to form the most formidable forward line in town. But for how long? Vanek will be an unrestricted free agent come July. So, Garth Snow's new problem is how to keep him.
I'm not about to under-value Thomas Vanek. I think he's a very good player. He's a proven scorer. But I'm not so sure he's immensely better than Moulson at this point, to warrant this large a package.
Thomas Vanek is inside his ninth season in the league. He scored forty goals in a season twice, and topped thirty goals two other times. He has 254 in his career. In last year's shortened season, Vanek scored 41 points in 38 games.
Matt Moulson, like Vanek, is 29-years old, and will also become a free agent in July. In four plus seasons with the Islanders, Moulson topped thirty goals in a season three straight times, undone only by last year's shortened schedule. Last year he scored 44-points in 47 games, with 15 goals.
All however is NOT well. Tavares and Moulson were best friends There is already rampant speculation Vanek wants to play in Minnesota, while Moulson was perfectly content where he was.
The Islanders are currently tied for second place of the new Metropolitan Division with eleven points. They have as many goals, 35, as their rival Pittsburgh Penguins, and trail only the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs for the most goals scored in the conference. Garth Snow should perhaps look into shoring up his blue liners, who have allowed the third most goals in the Eastern Conference. On that note, one of those picks could have been spent on a goalie maybe?
BTW - Matt Moulson has already scored for Buffalo tonight.
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Matt Moulson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Moulson. Show all posts
Monday, October 28, 2013
Sunday, May 05, 2013
N.Y. Islanders: Long Island Big Shots Fall One Punch Short
From the desk of: BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB
2012 - 2013
NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Three Penguins Power Play Goals Obliterate Long Island From Game Three.
With the series tied, and in between a bevy of tripping, hooking, roughing and slashing infractions throughout Game Three, the Islanders and Penguins seemed content on trading hay-makers. The lone question who was going to land the biggest shot of the game, and when.
The Isles opened the scoring with an early goal by Matt Moulson just 1:43 into the game. Four minutes later, the ol' Barn shook when Casey Cizikas netted Long Island's second goal, off a feed from Grabner. Uniondale was rocking loudly, but not for long. Pittsburgh scored three unanswered goals against Evgeni Nabokov before the period expired. Two costly Islanders penalties thirty seconds apart, inevitably resulted in two Penguins power play goals by Jarome Iginla and Chris Kunitz, just twenty seconds apart. By 13:38, the game was tied at two. Then with exactly one minute left in the first period, Pascal Dupuis put the Pens ahead with his third goal of the playoffs. The Long Island crowd spent the first intermission silently.
Douglas Murray scored in the second period to extend Pittsburgh's lead. The Long Island crowd again spent the second intermission silently. However, the Isles have shown a lot of fortitude in this series, and continued their efforts in the third. Kyle Okposo scored at 5:31, followed by John Tavares' first goal of the playoffs at 10:48 to tie the game at four. With the ol' Barn rocking again, into overtime they went.
In the extra session, yet another penalty doomed the Islanders. At 8:11, you guessed it, Brian Strait got whistled for holding Sidney Crosby of all people. Then a 8:44, Chris Kunitz sized up a Crosby feed, and scored his second goal, and the game winner.
Although the first playoff game after a considerable time on Long Island was a loss, the game was not a lost affair. The Islanders have proven they want to play with the #1 seeded Penguins. The offense has been there for Long Island. It's discipline that is currently lacking. They just need to stay out of the penalty box. Surrendering three power play goals was their downfall. If Long Island keeps things at even strength, and they themselves score like the NHL's 11th ranked PP can, the series will go deep. Plus, John Tavares may have finally popped his cherry. Perhaps better games loom ahead for him now that his first goal is out of the way. Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo now have multiple goals as well. The Islanders out-shot the Pens 36-25 over the course of the game. They especially outperformed Pittsburgh 13-3 in the third period. In overtime however, the Isles only got off two shots versus six for the Pens. Other than that minor detail, there are reasons for optimism. The Islanders are now pressed however, to recover and win Game Four before heading back to Pittsburgh for Game Five.
With seemingly enough scoring in place, Evgeni Nabokov holds the keys to the Islanders near future against Pittsburgh. He stopped twenty of twenty-five shots Sunday, thirty of thirty-three in Game Two, and got blown out in the series opener. Nabokov can be better, and has been batter this season. The Islanders can greatly benefit if he can provide a few more hand-stands and cartwheels than he has so far.
Mike.BTB
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ROUND ONE
Game Three Final
Penguins 5
Islanders 4
overtime
Pittsburgh Leads Series 2-1
NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Three Penguins Power Play Goals Obliterate Long Island From Game Three.
WANTED: More Cartwheels and Handstands from Evgeni Nabokov
With the series tied, and in between a bevy of tripping, hooking, roughing and slashing infractions throughout Game Three, the Islanders and Penguins seemed content on trading hay-makers. The lone question who was going to land the biggest shot of the game, and when.
The Isles opened the scoring with an early goal by Matt Moulson just 1:43 into the game. Four minutes later, the ol' Barn shook when Casey Cizikas netted Long Island's second goal, off a feed from Grabner. Uniondale was rocking loudly, but not for long. Pittsburgh scored three unanswered goals against Evgeni Nabokov before the period expired. Two costly Islanders penalties thirty seconds apart, inevitably resulted in two Penguins power play goals by Jarome Iginla and Chris Kunitz, just twenty seconds apart. By 13:38, the game was tied at two. Then with exactly one minute left in the first period, Pascal Dupuis put the Pens ahead with his third goal of the playoffs. The Long Island crowd spent the first intermission silently.
Douglas Murray scored in the second period to extend Pittsburgh's lead. The Long Island crowd again spent the second intermission silently. However, the Isles have shown a lot of fortitude in this series, and continued their efforts in the third. Kyle Okposo scored at 5:31, followed by John Tavares' first goal of the playoffs at 10:48 to tie the game at four. With the ol' Barn rocking again, into overtime they went.
In the extra session, yet another penalty doomed the Islanders. At 8:11, you guessed it, Brian Strait got whistled for holding Sidney Crosby of all people. Then a 8:44, Chris Kunitz sized up a Crosby feed, and scored his second goal, and the game winner.
Although the first playoff game after a considerable time on Long Island was a loss, the game was not a lost affair. The Islanders have proven they want to play with the #1 seeded Penguins. The offense has been there for Long Island. It's discipline that is currently lacking. They just need to stay out of the penalty box. Surrendering three power play goals was their downfall. If Long Island keeps things at even strength, and they themselves score like the NHL's 11th ranked PP can, the series will go deep. Plus, John Tavares may have finally popped his cherry. Perhaps better games loom ahead for him now that his first goal is out of the way. Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo now have multiple goals as well. The Islanders out-shot the Pens 36-25 over the course of the game. They especially outperformed Pittsburgh 13-3 in the third period. In overtime however, the Isles only got off two shots versus six for the Pens. Other than that minor detail, there are reasons for optimism. The Islanders are now pressed however, to recover and win Game Four before heading back to Pittsburgh for Game Five.
With seemingly enough scoring in place, Evgeni Nabokov holds the keys to the Islanders near future against Pittsburgh. He stopped twenty of twenty-five shots Sunday, thirty of thirty-three in Game Two, and got blown out in the series opener. Nabokov can be better, and has been batter this season. The Islanders can greatly benefit if he can provide a few more hand-stands and cartwheels than he has so far.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, May 04, 2013
New York Islanders Gain A Split In Pittsburgh With Huge 4-3 Win
From the desk of: BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLLUB
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, whenSindy 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
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
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
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Best Forward Line In NY/NJ Area Hockey Is...?
From the desks of:
RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS - NYR
THE BRICK CITY DEMONS - NJD
BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB - NYI
At this time last season, the New York Islanders had the best forward line in hockey. The trio of John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Kyle Okposo, wound up cranking out ninety one goals last season. This season, Tavares and Moulson have been joined primarily by Brad Boyes. Kyle Okposo has been put on, then taken off the line this season. Truth is, last season didn't go as smoothly as Kyle would have liked. And presently, his game is skating in sand again. Okposo is an enigma who remains woefully inefficient for his talent. He has one goal and four assists so far. So, Brad Boyes, the team's third leading scorer, has been getting most of the wing action on the first line.
Last week on Valentine's Day, the Isles' line of Martin/McDonald/Cizikas put the Rangers forward line of Gaborik/Callahan/Richards under house arrest, completely shutting them down on MSG ice. While they took care of the Blueshirts top trio, John Tavares' line took care of the rest. In his last two games against the Rangers and Devils, Tavares has four regulation time goals; a hat trick against the Devils, and a game tying goal, as well as a shoot-out winner against the Rangers. John Tavares now has eleven goals in his last ten games. Along with nine assists, he has twenty points this season.
Matt Moulson is not far behind. He has seventeen points this season, and leads the team with ten assists. Together, Matt Moulson and John Tavares have combined to score eighteen goals, assist on nineteen others, and have thirty seven points between them. If we add Brad Boyes' four goals and eight assists, the line has produced forty nine points.
In New Jersey, David Clarkson continues to give the Atlantic Division hell. He is out to prove last year's thirty goal season was no fluke. With ten goals already in fifteen games, Clarkson is well on his way. He plays on the second line along side Patrick Elias and Adam Henrique. With six assists, David Clarkson has sixteen points this season. Patrick Elias is having a renaissance season. He has four goals, and leads the team with fifteen assists, and nineteen points. Adam Henrique was a late comer to the ice after first having to recover from off-season surgery. In ten games, he has contributed four goals and two assists. Combined, this line has scored eighteen goals, assisted on twenty three more, and have produced thirty one points. The Devils first line however, is now comprised of recently re-acquired Alexi Panikarovsky, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Travis Zajac. Kovalchuk and Zajac have combined on eight goals and twelve assists, for twenty points - mostly by Kovalchuk's doing. Coach DeBoer has at times included Adam Henrique, David Clarkson and Stephane Matteau on this line.
The Devils lost a lot of production with Zach Parise's departure to Minnesota. Ilya Kovalchuk's goals are down if only somewhat since his Atlanta days. This is due in part for having sacrificed somewhat to fit into the Devils system. Being the Devils are in first place, the Devils philosophy clearly trumps personal achievement. And so, Kovalchuk should be fine. He recorded his 800th NHL point recently.
The Rangers top line - the Rangers have no top line. Not with the way Coach Torts mixes and matches throughout games. As a Rangers fan, I would like for Coach to set his lines and stick with them. In a shortened season, sometimes thinking needs to bend and adapt to circumstances. There is little time for experimentation right now. That said, Brad Richards has made setting the forward lines a bit of a task. His struggles have reached prolific levels, and so Brad Richards was shown the bench last week versus the Islanders. He was skipped over during numerous third period shifts, and additionally sat out a power play opportunity before Coach returned him to the ice for overtime. Much more noticeable than Brad's shortcomings however, was the way John Tavares and his line skated circles around the Rangers on Valentine's Day from literally the beginning of the game, all the way to the end.
Coach Torts started the season stacking the first line with Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and Marian Gaborik. But when the third and fourth lines crumbled, the GM tweaked the roster, while Coach relented and spread forwards around. Brad Richards now skates on one of the top two lines with Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan. The three have combined to score twelve goals, assist on thirteen others, and produce twenty five points. Marian Gaborik is the team's leading scorer with six goals, four assists, and eleven points. While Brad Richards is the provider of two scant goals, and eight assists.
The Rangers other-other first line is presently comprised of new stud import, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Carl Hagelin. Rick Nash's numbers look like the rest of the Blueshirts - average. He has three goals and eight assists. Though his numbers aren't reflective of his skill, his overall play has met fan's expectations so far. However, the relentless Carl Hagelin has been the Rangers best forward lately. He too sits at eight points for the season. But he has four goals in his last three games. Even if you mix and match the Rangers three top forwards, they still wouldn't equate with the production the Devils and Islanders top lines are pumping out.
Since arriving in the NHL, the Islanders top line featuring John Tavares has competed with every one of the league's best forward trios. With so many other issues befalling the Islanders however, no one hardly seems to notice. The Islanders are presently winners of two in a row. The John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo has spent the last two games providing the other two area hockey clubs with a tutorial in first line scoring. The Islanders clearly sport the top line in the NY/NJ hockey area. In a more closely contested comparison, the John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo also holds a slight points scored advantage (39/35) over the Devils David Clarkson/Patrick Elias duo. The top Rangers combo? I'm a fan. Why would I want to embarrass them?
Islander fans can only help but think, if only there was a correlation between first line play, and positioning in the standings. But the papers say the Islanders are in fourth place, two points behind the Rangers, and eight points behind the Devils. The Rangers, with by far the most unsettled forward lines of the three teams, play as Coach Torts dictates. While in New Jersey, the Devils just continue to adhere to their system, and win.
Mike.BTB
RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS - NYR
THE BRICK CITY DEMONS - NJD
BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB - NYI
Which Metropolitan Area Hockey Club
Sports The Best Forward Line?
New York Rangers - New Jersey Devils - New York Islanders
At this time last season, the New York Islanders had the best forward line in hockey. The trio of John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Kyle Okposo, wound up cranking out ninety one goals last season. This season, Tavares and Moulson have been joined primarily by Brad Boyes. Kyle Okposo has been put on, then taken off the line this season. Truth is, last season didn't go as smoothly as Kyle would have liked. And presently, his game is skating in sand again. Okposo is an enigma who remains woefully inefficient for his talent. He has one goal and four assists so far. So, Brad Boyes, the team's third leading scorer, has been getting most of the wing action on the first line.
Last week on Valentine's Day, the Isles' line of Martin/McDonald/Cizikas put the Rangers forward line of Gaborik/Callahan/Richards under house arrest, completely shutting them down on MSG ice. While they took care of the Blueshirts top trio, John Tavares' line took care of the rest. In his last two games against the Rangers and Devils, Tavares has four regulation time goals; a hat trick against the Devils, and a game tying goal, as well as a shoot-out winner against the Rangers. John Tavares now has eleven goals in his last ten games. Along with nine assists, he has twenty points this season.
Matt Moulson is not far behind. He has seventeen points this season, and leads the team with ten assists. Together, Matt Moulson and John Tavares have combined to score eighteen goals, assist on nineteen others, and have thirty seven points between them. If we add Brad Boyes' four goals and eight assists, the line has produced forty nine points.
In New Jersey, David Clarkson continues to give the Atlantic Division hell. He is out to prove last year's thirty goal season was no fluke. With ten goals already in fifteen games, Clarkson is well on his way. He plays on the second line along side Patrick Elias and Adam Henrique. With six assists, David Clarkson has sixteen points this season. Patrick Elias is having a renaissance season. He has four goals, and leads the team with fifteen assists, and nineteen points. Adam Henrique was a late comer to the ice after first having to recover from off-season surgery. In ten games, he has contributed four goals and two assists. Combined, this line has scored eighteen goals, assisted on twenty three more, and have produced thirty one points. The Devils first line however, is now comprised of recently re-acquired Alexi Panikarovsky, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Travis Zajac. Kovalchuk and Zajac have combined on eight goals and twelve assists, for twenty points - mostly by Kovalchuk's doing. Coach DeBoer has at times included Adam Henrique, David Clarkson and Stephane Matteau on this line.
The Devils lost a lot of production with Zach Parise's departure to Minnesota. Ilya Kovalchuk's goals are down if only somewhat since his Atlanta days. This is due in part for having sacrificed somewhat to fit into the Devils system. Being the Devils are in first place, the Devils philosophy clearly trumps personal achievement. And so, Kovalchuk should be fine. He recorded his 800th NHL point recently.
The Rangers top line - the Rangers have no top line. Not with the way Coach Torts mixes and matches throughout games. As a Rangers fan, I would like for Coach to set his lines and stick with them. In a shortened season, sometimes thinking needs to bend and adapt to circumstances. There is little time for experimentation right now. That said, Brad Richards has made setting the forward lines a bit of a task. His struggles have reached prolific levels, and so Brad Richards was shown the bench last week versus the Islanders. He was skipped over during numerous third period shifts, and additionally sat out a power play opportunity before Coach returned him to the ice for overtime. Much more noticeable than Brad's shortcomings however, was the way John Tavares and his line skated circles around the Rangers on Valentine's Day from literally the beginning of the game, all the way to the end.
Coach Torts started the season stacking the first line with Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and Marian Gaborik. But when the third and fourth lines crumbled, the GM tweaked the roster, while Coach relented and spread forwards around. Brad Richards now skates on one of the top two lines with Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan. The three have combined to score twelve goals, assist on thirteen others, and produce twenty five points. Marian Gaborik is the team's leading scorer with six goals, four assists, and eleven points. While Brad Richards is the provider of two scant goals, and eight assists.
The Rangers other-other first line is presently comprised of new stud import, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Carl Hagelin. Rick Nash's numbers look like the rest of the Blueshirts - average. He has three goals and eight assists. Though his numbers aren't reflective of his skill, his overall play has met fan's expectations so far. However, the relentless Carl Hagelin has been the Rangers best forward lately. He too sits at eight points for the season. But he has four goals in his last three games. Even if you mix and match the Rangers three top forwards, they still wouldn't equate with the production the Devils and Islanders top lines are pumping out.
Since arriving in the NHL, the Islanders top line featuring John Tavares has competed with every one of the league's best forward trios. With so many other issues befalling the Islanders however, no one hardly seems to notice. The Islanders are presently winners of two in a row. The John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo has spent the last two games providing the other two area hockey clubs with a tutorial in first line scoring. The Islanders clearly sport the top line in the NY/NJ hockey area. In a more closely contested comparison, the John Tavares/Matt Moulson combo also holds a slight points scored advantage (39/35) over the Devils David Clarkson/Patrick Elias duo. The top Rangers combo? I'm a fan. Why would I want to embarrass them?
Islander fans can only help but think, if only there was a correlation between first line play, and positioning in the standings. But the papers say the Islanders are in fourth place, two points behind the Rangers, and eight points behind the Devils. The Rangers, with by far the most unsettled forward lines of the three teams, play as Coach Torts dictates. While in New Jersey, the Devils just continue to adhere to their system, and win.
Mike.BTB
Islanders vs. Devils Final - Saturday Night Fervor
From the desks of: THE BROAD STREET DEMONS & BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB
Brooklyn's foster hockey club played an outstanding game in Long Island last night. In their final regular season meeting, John Tavares and the New York Islanders overwhelmed the first place New Jersey Devils. Long Island out-shot the Devils, threw more hits, had more take-aways, and won more face offs, en route to a 5-1 victory.
With Johan Hedberg in net for New Jersey, the Islanders unleashed a second period barrage led by the John Tavares line. Within a span of 2:20 minutes, John Tavares scored twice, and his line mate, Matt Moulson, added a third goal just before the period ended.
In the third period, Marek Zidlicky scored his first goal of the season, to get New Jersey within two goals. But at the 14:40 mark, John Tavares completed a hat trick by scoring his second power play goal of the evening. Then at 19:25, Michael Grabner got credit for a Devils assisted goal, completing Long Island's 5-1 victory.
John Tavares now has eleven goals in his last ten games. Matt Moulson has seven, and Michael Grabner has six. The Islanders also continued their prowess on the power play, scoring three times in six chances. Only two Eastern Conference teams have more goals than the Islanders. Ivgeni Nabokov was stellar in net. He faced thirty three shots, and allowed only the one second period goal to get by.
The Pittsburgh Penguins did not play Saturday, and so the Devils remain in first place of the Atlantic Division by a point. The Penguins play Sunday. The Devils are off. By virtue of two less losses, the Islanders slipped past the Flyers into fourth place. The Islanders and Devils split their season series with two wins apiece.
Mike.BTB
FINAL:
Devils 1
Islanders 5
Islanders and Devils Finish Season Series Tied 2-2
I - NJD 2; NYI 1
II * NYI 5; NJD 4
III - NJD 3; NYI 0
IV - NYI 5; NJD 1
Isles Wreck Devils; Tie Season Series. John Tavares Nets Hat Trick. Evgeni Nabokov Helps Push Long Island By Philadelphia in Atlantic Division Standings.
Brooklyn's foster hockey club played an outstanding game in Long Island last night. In their final regular season meeting, John Tavares and the New York Islanders overwhelmed the first place New Jersey Devils. Long Island out-shot the Devils, threw more hits, had more take-aways, and won more face offs, en route to a 5-1 victory.
With Johan Hedberg in net for New Jersey, the Islanders unleashed a second period barrage led by the John Tavares line. Within a span of 2:20 minutes, John Tavares scored twice, and his line mate, Matt Moulson, added a third goal just before the period ended.
In the third period, Marek Zidlicky scored his first goal of the season, to get New Jersey within two goals. But at the 14:40 mark, John Tavares completed a hat trick by scoring his second power play goal of the evening. Then at 19:25, Michael Grabner got credit for a Devils assisted goal, completing Long Island's 5-1 victory.
John Tavares now has eleven goals in his last ten games. Matt Moulson has seven, and Michael Grabner has six. The Islanders also continued their prowess on the power play, scoring three times in six chances. Only two Eastern Conference teams have more goals than the Islanders. Ivgeni Nabokov was stellar in net. He faced thirty three shots, and allowed only the one second period goal to get by.
The Pittsburgh Penguins did not play Saturday, and so the Devils remain in first place of the Atlantic Division by a point. The Penguins play Sunday. The Devils are off. By virtue of two less losses, the Islanders slipped past the Flyers into fourth place. The Islanders and Devils split their season series with two wins apiece.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Hockey Round-Up: Arnott Deal Off - Devils and Islanders Both Lose In Canada
Metropolitan Area Hockey Report: Sunday Night Pucks
1) - DEVILS............3-0-1 7 pts.
2) - ISLANDERS.....2-2-1 5 pts.
3) - RANGERS........2-3-0 4 pts.
NEW YORK RANGERS - Jason Arnott Fails Physical - Deal For Free Agent Center Is Off.
Thirty-eight year old free agent centerman Jason Arnott did not pass his physical. He will not be joining the Rangers. Several team doctors saw him on Saturday. But an espnNY report states the team hasn't disclosed why Arnott did not pass. Regardless, for the Rangers it's now back to the 'ol drawing board.
As they still need to acquire reinforcements for their back forward lines, on Thursday the Rangers completed a deal with the Penguins sending Chad Kolarik to Pittsburgh in exchange for twenty-five year old winger, Benn Ferriero. Kolarik was the Whale's leading scorer this season, while Ferriero is labeled as a strong two way player. He immediately saw ice time as Chris Kreider spent last Thursday's game in Coach Tortorella's doghouse. But he also did not play Saturday against the Leafs. It turns out he is day-to-day with a bone chip in his ankle. Kreider is also speculated to be headed back to the AHL Connecticut Whale.
The Rangers get to enjoy a rare few days off until they host the Flyers on Tuesday, and the Penguins on Thursday.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Lose To Habs In Overtime. Patrick Elias Scores Point #900 Of His Devils Career.
Up in the Great White North, the New Jersey Devils overcame a 2-0 deficit, and a 3-1 deficit to tie the Montreal Canadiens, and send their game into overtime. The Devils got a second period goal from Patrick Elias to make it a 2-1 game. Two minutes into the third period, former Rangers, Brando Prust put Montreal 3-1 again. David Clarkson then scored his third goal of the season on a power play. And Dainius Zubrus tied the game 3-3 with seven minutes left in regulation time. Four minutes into the extra session, Andy Greene got whistled for holding. Twenty one seconds later, career long Canadien Andrei Markov scored the game winner for Montreal. In four games played, that was the Devils first loss, overtime or otherwise.
* Patrick Elias' second period goal was the 363rd score of his Devils career. His third period assist of Clarkson's goal was the 536th assist of his career. He then assisted again on Dainius Zubrus' goal. His three point evening gives him 900 points for his Devils career. All three are Devils records.
* corrected 1am Monday morning - failed to realize Elias had second assist.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Brooklyn's Foster Team Starts Season With Five Points In First Five Games.
After two more seasons playing in Uniondale, Long Island, the Islanders Hockey Club will relocate to Brooklyn for the 2015-2016 regular season, and call it home for at least the following twenty-five years thereafter. That's how long the lease to play in Barclays Center extends. If the Islanders moving to another city represented the worst case scenario, then I guess a move to Brooklyn was a best case scenario for their fans. After a very long and drawn out negotiation process trying to secure a deal with Nassau County on a new arena, and a No-Vote by the local residents who's taxes would have been affected by such a deal, and in addition to losing millions of his own dollars in the process, give Charles Wang all due credit for keeping the team in the area and still well within reach of its core fan base.
Sunday evening, the Islanders visited the Great White North as well. The Isles were trailing the Jets 2-1 after two periods in Winnipeg. It was the Islanders who jumped out to a 1-0 lead on David Ullstrom's 2nd goal of the season. But midway through the period, Winnipeg tied it. In the second period, the Jets went ahead. Just 0:22 into the third period, John Tavares scored his first goal of the season, tying the game at two all. Then at 5:09, Matt Moulson (3) deflected a John Tavares shot which fooled Winnipeg's Al Montoya to give the Isles a 3-2 lead. At the midway point of the third, Mark Streit scored on a power play to make it 4-2 Islanders.
Three third period goals by the Islanders however, went for not. At 12:59, Winnieg scored on a power play, after David Ullstrom got whistled for hooking. Then just one minute and five seconds later, Winnipeg put another puck passed Isles goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, to tie the game at four goals apiece. And so, like the Devils/Canadiens game, this contest went into overtime.
When Keith Aucoin misfired and turned the puck over in the offensive zone, Winnipeg's Olli Jokinen rushed up the left side and ripped a shot on goal at Nabokov. At 1:59 of the extra session, the rebound went to Evander Kane who then scored the game winner.
Like the Devils, the Islanders also lose in overtime up in the Great White North.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
N.Y. Rangers ~ New Mission; Quiet the Assembling Naysayers
From the desk of: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS
With ten more wins, the Isles can equal a number (35) they haven't achieved since the 2007-2008 season. And being as the Isles are coming into the Big Apple for Friday's game, see how you like these apples Ranger Fans:
*Marian Gaborik is the Rangers' leader in points with fifty. John Tavares has fifty-eight.
*Marian Gaborik is the Rangers' leader in goals with twenty-seven. Matt Moulson comes in at twenty-five.
*Derek Stepan is the Rangers' leader in assists with twenty-six. P.A. Parenteau obliterates him with forty-two.
That kind of stuff makes you want to pull off the Nash trade doesn't it? It speaks to me too. Be disciplined!
At present, we are in first place of the Eastern Conference with a nine point lead over the Boston Bruins. The Blueshirts' strengths lie in their overall defense; a strong penalty kill; goal tending; playing effectively within their zone; a strong fore-check; and tremendous overall work ethic; and Coaching. On the weak side, the Rangers lack another potent scorer; could use some more size; suffer from an impotent power play; and they leave themselves little margin for error. And they seem to be areas that can be addressed by acquiring one person; Rick Nash. We know. But there will be a steep price to pay.
That said, the following are matters which concern me most as the season winds down between now and April. First and foremost, what did I tell you? Don't look now, but here come the New Jersey Devils. Someone opened the doors and all hell is breaking loose. They now have 74 points, and have made their way into second place of the Atlantic Division. And why not? Like the Rangers, they've pounded the Flyers this season.
Having said all that, I still am on record saying I do not want to make a team altering trade. I stick by that. And even if rebuilding the Rangers bleeds into next season, so be it. I believe in this plan. But that doesn't mean I am not without my concerns.
Mike.BTB
THE RIVALRY - GAME V
GAME ONE; NYI 4 - NYR 2
GAME TWO; NYR 4 - NYI 2
GAME THREE; NYR 4 - NYI 2
GAME FOUR; NYR 3 - NYI 0
Rangers Lead Series 3-1
FRIDAY NIGHT PUCKS
New York Islanders
vs.
NEW YORK RANGERS
From,
33rd Street at 7th Avenue
NYC
With ten more wins, the Isles can equal a number (35) they haven't achieved since the 2007-2008 season. And being as the Isles are coming into the Big Apple for Friday's game, see how you like these apples Ranger Fans:
*Marian Gaborik is the Rangers' leader in points with fifty. John Tavares has fifty-eight.
*Marian Gaborik is the Rangers' leader in goals with twenty-seven. Matt Moulson comes in at twenty-five.
*Derek Stepan is the Rangers' leader in assists with twenty-six. P.A. Parenteau obliterates him with forty-two.
That kind of stuff makes you want to pull off the Nash trade doesn't it? It speaks to me too. Be disciplined!
NEW YORK RANGERS: Part of Building for the Future is Avoiding the Quick Fix. And What the Blueshirts are Building Towards, Can Not Be Completed on February 28th. If Another Year to Groom a Few More Suitable Players is Needed, So Be It.
And If You Haven't Noticed ~ HERE COME THE DEVILS!
With the trade deadline six days away, the Rangers no doubt have issues that need to be addressed. Along with that, decisions will have to be made. To trade, or not to trade? That is the question. And recently getting shut out by the Penguins only makes this an even more perplexing proposition to ponder.
At present, we are in first place of the Eastern Conference with a nine point lead over the Boston Bruins. The Blueshirts' strengths lie in their overall defense; a strong penalty kill; goal tending; playing effectively within their zone; a strong fore-check; and tremendous overall work ethic; and Coaching. On the weak side, the Rangers lack another potent scorer; could use some more size; suffer from an impotent power play; and they leave themselves little margin for error. And they seem to be areas that can be addressed by acquiring one person; Rick Nash. We know. But there will be a steep price to pay.
That said, the following are matters which concern me most as the season winds down between now and April. First and foremost, what did I tell you? Don't look now, but here come the New Jersey Devils. Someone opened the doors and all hell is breaking loose. They now have 74 points, and have made their way into second place of the Atlantic Division. And why not? Like the Rangers, they've pounded the Flyers this season.
The Devils played a back-and-fourth January, only managing a 6-6 record. In February they heated up. They are 8-2 so far this month. And they did it against a few teams like Philly; Pittsburgh; Toronto; Montreal 2x; and the New York Rangers.
What's wrong with that picture? The Devils beat the Blueshirts the last two times they've played. And the Devils, while not offensively overwhelming at the time, twice stopped the Rangers' momentum cold, led by the resurgent Martin Brodeur.
What's more is the Devils have played Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Pittsburgh, with a little more success than the Rangers have this season. And now, the Devils are only seven points behind the Rangers in the Atlantic Division. Yes, that's even better than Boston if not for the Bruins being a division leader. Oh, and Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Patrick Elias, all have scored over 50 points this season. Put those things together, and I say there is a storm brewing over the horizon.
The Rangers themselves, need to play better against the entire Northeast Division. Aside from Buffalo and Boston, the Rangers have not done well against Montreal, who truly pounded them earlier this season. They dropped their first two games against Toronto before gaining a measure of revenge and beating them in the third encounter. But with speed and physicality, Toronto really gives the Rangers problems. But not as many problems as Ottawa has posed this season. I don't have an answer for that one. So against those three teams, things must change for the Rangers. Because they can't go through another swing through that division like they did last, and, have trouble with the Devils as well, and not have the Rangers' position in the standings adversely compromised.
Next Monday
Battle of the Hudson - IV
New Jersey Devils
vs.
NEW YORK RANGERS
MSG, NYC
I'm sure you've started to hear "them" - like I have. The naysayers are starting to speak with doubting tongues. If the Rangers have a short term mission, by taking care of matters on the ice, they should do themselves a favor and mute those naysayers. There is a growing chorus trying to diminish what the Rangers have accomplished so far. They point to the Pittsburgh Penguins playing without Sidney Crosby most of the season; the Washington Capitals underachieving yet again; and at the fading Philadelphia Flyers; as possible explanations why the Rangers are enjoying the success in the standings they are. My opinion on that line of thought strikes me as being quite amateurish on their part. If they haven't been watching every game, and watching consistently over the last three seasons, then what they say, sounds unlearned.; at least to me.
Having said all that, I still am on record saying I do not want to make a team altering trade. I stick by that. And even if rebuilding the Rangers bleeds into next season, so be it. I believe in this plan. But that doesn't mean I am not without my concerns.
Mike.BTB
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