Isles Win-Roloson Continues Stellar Play

The Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in a shootout thanks to 41 saves from Dwayne Roloson.

It was a choppy game that the Isles held a 1-0 lead for most of the night before R.J. Umberger evened the count. The New York power play continued its struggles failing to capitalize on a two man advantage. Rob Schremp scored on a pretty move to finish it.

John Tavares played better after his lengthy talk with Coach Scott Gordon at the morning skate. Tavares did not register any points but he was more involved, had 3 shots on goal and set up Trent Hunter with a nice between the legs feed in the 3rd that came up empty.

Isles are off to Ottawa for New Years Eve, I will be heading to Boston for the Winter Classic. I'll try and catch the NYI-Sens game and I will give you my insights on my first Winter Classic. As well, I will be catching the BU game Saturday afternoon and will provide a scouting report on Isles second rounder Corey Trivino.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

Game Stats:
Even/ 3SOG/ 17:34TOI/ Faceoffs:4-6

Highlights:


Links:
SCHREMP'S SHOOTOUT GOAL GIVES ISLES WIN OVER JACKETS

Gordon: "Good chance" Tambellini is in tonight

Don't Blame Tavares

It was another loss tonight for the Islanders 2-1 to the Flyers, it was also another fruitless night for John Tavares but don't blame the 19 year old kid from Oakville for New Yorks' transgressions.

Tavares was branded the tag of "savior" on draft night when he was selected 1st overall in June, instead of the Isles and their hierarchy doing the best to surround Tavares with help, they provided him with nothing,

As I have said before the Matt Moulson story is a nice one but he has fallen back to earth with 1 goal in his last 11, Blake Comeau has been playing well of late but the reality is he is a 3rd line forward in this league.

We can keep going on and dissect a roster not only void of any proven veteran offensive provider but a roster lacking a top defenseman, Mark Streit has taken a step back in all areas since last season and while the play of Jack Hillen and Andy Sutton has been stellar the rest of the unit has been abysmal more often than not.

Tavares still leads this team in goals and points and is clearly tired from the ridiculous condensed schedule and possibly banged up from the dozen or so big hits he has sustained in the first half...not that Garth Snow provided Tavares or any of the skilled young forwards (the only skilled players the Islanders have are young) with any toughness to keep the opposition in check. He's hit a plateau for sure but Tavares' track record is he will keep playing and be resilient even though the Isles ownership will surely subtract rather than add talent this season, another where their intentions are to secure their real estate...I mean arena deal.

Good thing for Tavares and the Islanders they just keep playing on as they have Columbus come in Tuesday night.

Game Stats:
-1/ 16:43TOI/ Faceoffs 5-6

Highlights:


Links:
CARTER SCORES AS FLYERS TOP ISLES FOR 13TH STRAIGHT TIME

Isles Make MSG Their Home...Again

The Islanders squandered a 2-0 lead in the 3rd but were able to finish the job with an overtime goal by the Kyle Okposo. It was the Isles 2nd victory at MSG in 10 days.

John Tavares was held scoreless and its possible that the speculations raised by Chris Botta at Islanders Point Blank that JT is playing hurt could be true. Tavares did not register a shot on goal and finished with just 16:25 of ice time.

The Isles were still able to come away with 2 points thanks to the efforts of Okposo (1G, 2A) and another great performance by Dwayne Roloson.

Not much time to bask in the glow of this one, the Flyers are in for an early bird special at 5 P.M.
Game Stats:
Even/ 16:25TOI/ Faceoffs:4-4

Highlights:


Links:
OKPOSO SCORES IN OT AS ISLANDERS BEAT RANGERS

JT Returns To Scoresheet With GWG

It was a solid if unspectacular win by the Islanders over the Maple Leafs by a 3-1 count. The team received superb goaltending from Dwayne Roloson and John Tavares broke his goal and pointless streak by cashing in on a nice feed from Blake Comeau.

The Islanders ended their 3 game slide and will enjoy the holiday with an eye on the Rangers Saturday night.

Happy Holidays!

Game Stats:
1G/ Even/ 2SOG/ 16:22TOI/ Faceoffs 5-5

Post Game Interview:

Goal:


Highlights:


Links:
STRUGGLING LEAFS HEAD TO HOLIDAY BREAK WITH LOSS TO ISLANDERS

Hunter, Tavares score, Roloson makes 26 saves in Islanders' win over Leafs

Tavares scores as Isles snap three-game losing streak

Maple Leafs In Town

Now word yet on the starting netminder. Expect the same lineup as there does not appear to be any injured players ready to come back.

Links:
Moulson thriving alongside Tavares after finally finding home with Isles

Islanders vs. Maple Leafs Preview

Leafs, Islanders heading in wrong direction

Tavares, Isles Struggling

Much like the Islanders i've been unproductive and out of sync lately, when your in the process of moving while trying to complete your holiday shopping it becomes overwhelming. Factor in the 2 feet of snow on the ground and it's been a rough patch to say the least.

The Islanders dropped their 3rd in a row and 4th straight at home. The penalty killing has been downright horrid and the offensive production has dissapeared. It's tough times right now and the Islanders need to get it going asap.

John Tavares has struggled, JT has now gone 5 games without a point and it's just not falling for him right now. Tavares has continued creating chances for himself and others but nothing has been cashed in. Matt Moulson has come back to earth with 1goal in his last 9 games, Blake Comeau has come from the press box to the right side of Tavares and has not been a good fit, Kyle Okposo jumped back on the JT line late in the 3rd but his struggles are currently the worst on the team as he is in double figures in games without a goal.

The power play has'nt helped the cause either as the top unit again has had chances but has come up short.

Toronto comes in Wednesday and is now ahead of the Isles in the standings. A must win to say the least.

Game Stats TB:
-1/ 1SOG/ 21:53TOI/ Faceoffs:7-8

Game Stats Montreal:
Even/ 2SOG/ 16:47TOI/ Faceoffs 6-14

Highlights TB:


Highlights Montreal:


Links:
BIG NIGHT BY MALONE POWERS LIGHTNING PAST ISLANDERS

Weight takes pressure off Tavares

MARKOV RETURNS TO LEAD CANADIENS TO WIN OVER ISLANDERS

Rangers Earn Split Thanks To Lundqvist

Game Stats:
-2/ 4SOG/ 19:22TOI/ Faceoffs:4-9

Highlights:


Links:
Rangers' re-Tort: Respond to benchings, rout Isles to split home-and-home series

Tavares enjoys first MSG experience

Isles Draw First On Rivals

The Islanders didn't play a pretty game and they didn't have to. They displayed the little things that their cross town rivals don't often do. They made smart plays, they went to the net hard, and they were perfectly content winning an ugly game.

Dwayne Roloson did a fine job in the net and an even finer job of trying to break Sean Averys' leg.

John Tavares had a quiet game but was really solid in his own zone and is proving many people wrong (including me) with his stellar play in all zones.

The sequel tomorrow night.

Game Stats:
+1/ 2SOG/ 16:28TOI/ Faceoffs:3-9

Highlights:


Links:
Tortorella loses cool after Rangers' loss to Isles

Tavares Provides Glimpse Into Islanders’ Future

10 to watch

Top 10 of a Deep NHL Rookie Class

Monday Night Breakdown

There were plenty of defensive breakdowns by the Islander D hanging Dwayne Roloson out to dry. Bruno Gervais coughed up the 1st goal to set the tone for the night continuing his poor play. Here's hoping that Coach Gordon gives Gervais a nice seat up in the MSG rafters Wednesday night.

It was a tough night for John Tavares, he had a turnover that led to a goal and the JT/Matt Moulson combo had one of their poorest games of the season with Blake Comeau on the wing. Considering how ineffective Kyle Okposo was playing with Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey you would have to think KO will be reunited with JT and Moulson.

Jesse Joensuu was a bright spot and hopefully will stick cause he brings size and goes to the net.

The first of three Rangers/Islander games in 11 nights starts Wednesday.

Game Stats:
-2/ 2SOG/ 18:08TOI/ Faceoffs:10-9

Highlights:


Links:
Horton has three goals in Panthers' 7-1 win

OT Delight For Dane

The Islanders returned home and found a way to top the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. The Isles were on their heels most of the game after losing defenseman Jack Hillen but the strong goaltending of Dwayne Roloson kept the Isles going.

John Tavares despite not getting a shot on goal made a beautiful backhand pass to setup Matt Moulson game tying goal. Frans Nielsen clinched in OT on a nice saucer pass from Blake Comeau, who along with often scratch Rob Schremp had very strong games.

The struggling Panthers come in tomorrow.

Game Stats:
1A/ Even/ 17:09TOI/ Faceoffs:6-8

Highlights:


Game Links:
Islanders Ice Bruins With 3-2 Overtime Win on the Island

Nielsen lifts Isles past Bruins in OT

2 More For JT In Loss

John Tavares scored two goals for the second consecutive night but the rest of the Islanders forgot that they too are paid to play. Tavares has scored the last 5 goals for this team.

This team is dying for an upgrade on defense and it would also be nice if Kyle Okposo can find the back of the net again.

I'm done with the rant...links below for the story from the professionals. At least this team is finally coming home.

Game Stats:
2G/ Even/ 3SOG/ 20:25TOI/ Faceoffs:13-10

Goal 1:


Goal 2:


Highlights:


TSN.CA Video:
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip244673#clip244673

Links:
Isles erase 2-goal deficit in third but fall 3-2 to Leafs-GAME RECAP

Toskala shines as Leafs defeat Islanders

Leafs hold on to edge Isles

Leafs beat Islanders on Blake's late goal

Blake sinks Islanders

John Tavares would 'love' to wear Team Canada jerseyKevin McGran

NHL ON TSN QUIZ: JOHN TAVARES OR TYLER MYERS?

Time For Changes

The Islanders were trounced in Philly tonight as the Flyers won 6-2 for Coach Peter Laviolettes' first win. The Isles had issues again on the penalty kill and some of the mistakes and inconsistencies have become trends with 30 games in the books. Plenty of time has been done to evaluate players and it is time to make changes.

Martin Biron was worth taking a chance on for 1.4 million at 1 year but he has been a bust. I don't need to hear the rhetoric that he has not received goal support. The bottom line is that he is often off his angles and not square to the puck, does not control his rebounds, and has not made the timely saves that number 1 goalie Dwayne Roloson has. Biron at this point is a good backup but probaly a number 1 only on a sub-par team. Rick DiPietro is coming back and it's time to end the Biron experiment, even if DiPietro proves unhealthy Bridgeport goalie Scott Munroe would be worth a look over Biron. If you can net a 3rd rounder or a marginal prospect so be it, otherwise I would waive Biron and take my chances.

Then you have Bruni Gervais, the former 6th round pick who has been developing forever, or it only seems like it. What it doesn't seems like and in reality was the case was Gervais being a mess in his own zone. It's time to cut the chord and package him for a defenseman who can give the Islanders some quality minutes.

New York is expecting Andy Sutton back this weekend which will help, but reserves are needed. Brendan Witt as this point is playing under 15 minutes a night and is a number 6 D-man. The problem is you also have Gervais, Freddy Meyer, and Andrew MacDonald on this core who are also 6-7 depth rearguards.

It's time for changes.

John Tavares gave the Isles somewhat of a chance with 2 power play goals. JT had a very noticeable game but beyond him and Matt Moulson you couldn't find much to be happy about. Kyle Okposo is struggling big time and needs to step up with New York generating little to no offense beyond Tavares and Moulson.

Back to T.O. tomorrow.

Game Stats:
2G/ -2/ 2SOG/ 22:26TOI/ Faceoffs:14-8

Goal 1:


Goal 2:


Highlights:


Links:
Richards, Carter, Giroux score 2; Flyers snap skid

Blanked In Tampa

Bad power play, poor penalty killing. That's all you need to know.

The Islanders had opportunities but a lack of net presence made life fairly easy for the G Mike Smith.

The long winding road continues in Philly Tuesday night against the dysfunctional Flyers.

Game Stats:
Even/ 1SOG/ 21:25 TOI/ Faceoffs:9-7

Highlights:


Links:
Isles rookie Tavares, Stamkos share bond

Moulsons Trick=Isles Win

Not much to say, Isles played their best road game of the season by far. They got the lead and held it by getting the puck deep and it was a rock solid effort.

Matt Moulson netted a hat trick and JT added an empty netter.

Game Stats:
1G/ +2/ 1SOG/ 16:50TOI/ Faceoffs 4-6

TSN.ca video feature
http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip242500#clip242500

Highlights:


Game Links:
Moulson's hat trick lifts Islanders to 4-1 win

Moulson's 'trick' leads Islanders past Thrashers

Thrashers On Deck

The Islanders are in Atlanta tonight after four days off. Dwayne Roloson is expected to get the start between the pipes. Expect Rob Schremp to take Frans Nielsens' spot in the lineup.

Pre-Game Interview:


More JT at the NHL store:


Links:
Thrashers vs. Islanders Preview

Tavares does a star turn at NHL's Manhattan store

JT Signs, Wears New Gear At The NHL Store

John Tavares signed autographs at the NHL store in New York today. NHL.com has an article on Tavares and a bunch of great videos below as JT gave us a preview of his forthcoming apparel line from CCM that will be available in 2010.

Fans line up to meet Tavares at NHL Store

JT on the olympics:


JT on contributing:


JT on faceoffs:


JT on playing the Leafs:


JT on the first two months:


JT on the start of season:


JT on adjusting to NHL:


JT on the WJC:


JT autograph session:

Coming March 2010