Wednesday, March 17, 2010

John Tavares' Magical Night In Vancouver

On the same sheet of ice as players by the name of Luongo, Sedin, and Kesler 19 year old John Tavares emerged as the dominant player on the most dominant night of his young career. Without the injured Kyle Okposo the Islanders put together a great road effort led by Johnny T to defeat the Canucks 5-2.

His 2 Goal 3 Assist effort for 5 points tied an Islanders rookie franchise record and it was not just the scoresheet where Tavares made his mark. He made several solid defensive plays, blocked shots, and drew penalties.

For a 19 year old chosen to save a franchise as a number 1 center on a team with not yet ready for prime time players it was a great moment in what has been a tough slump. The humble kid keeps working hard and the results came through in spades last night.

Point 1:


Point 2:


Point 3:


Point 4:


Point 5:


Links
Tavares steps it up with two goals, three assists in victory in Vancouver

Tavares tears up Canucks

TAVARES HAS FIVE-POINT NIGHT AS ISLANDERS STUN CANUCKS

Islanders surprise slow-starting Canucks 5-2

Lackluster Canuck team falls 5-2 to New York Islanders

Islanders hope Lightning strikes again as draft god John Tavares sputters along Stamkos' trail

Canucks vow to be ready for rare visit by Islanders, young phenom Tavares

Got to give these players a break after travel-thon

Raycroft move was a bid to 'turn the tide'

Patience is the key for young star

Tavares dines on lacklustre defence

Canucks and Islanders: Game within a game

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

JT Breaks Slump As Losses Mount

JT broke his drought so I figured I would end mine. There has not been much positive news to write about so I decided to take a break rather than beat the dying horse that is this Islanders season.

John Tavares snapped his 17 game goal-less streak but the Islanders would come up empty once again versus the Flyers 3-2. Tavares was able to use his soft hands down low to bury the first goal of the evening.

New York continued their downward spiral to the bottom of the league. They have dropped 3 in a row and appear to be on the way to another top 5 draft pick. Many fans I have conversed with are rooting for this but I say the reliance on the kiddie corps needs to be curtailed.

I wrote about the lack of support that general manager Garth Snow provided his talented young bunch earlier in the season and the case still stands. All you have to do is look at that defense unit (ugh) and the fact that the only player on this team anywhere near an all-star level and in his prime is Mark Streit. The ownership and management has failed this team in my opinion and they need to step up JULY 1ST!!!! and get some legitimate help for the hard working and talented young players on the team.

In terms of Johnny Hockey, despite the struggles he will be just fine. JT has played with the hand he was dealt here and i'm sure he wasn't coming in with the idea that it was going to be easy. Hopefully he can build on this and end on a strong note with an invitation to Team Canada for the World Championships. Either way a long summer to prepare for the sophomore season is in the cards.

Goal:

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

JT Shootout Winner Ends Isles Skid

It didn't produce any results on the scoresheet but John Tavares had one heck of a game last night and ended the Islanders 7 game losing streak with a shootout goal on Nashville tender Pekka Rinne. Tavares was unsuccessful on several attempts during regulation and overtime but his confidence with the puck and his skating looked better than it has in weeks.

This looked like Tavares' 1st game as an emerging leader on this team. His desperation and tenacity in the 3rd with the teams fading playoff hopes at risk was apparent. This could be a turning point for the slumping rookie and I am sure the 2 week rest that is soon upon us will help as well.

As for the rest of the team, it was a sparkling debut for Matt Martin. This kid has progressed by leaps and bounds from watching him in Sarnia last year. Martin displayed the need for size and toughness up front on this team. A great first impression indeed.

Also, a thumbs up to Martin Biron. His time here is likely coming to an end and although the on-ice successes weren't there, you could not find a classier guy.

Pittsburgh tonight for a matchup with the champs.

Game Highlights:


Links:
THN.com Blog: Tavares still the most important rookie

Up next: Rick DiPietro, John Tavares and the New York Islanders

Penguins Notebook: Crosby can relate to Islanders' Tavares

Martin Biron, John Tavares guide Islanders to 4-3 win over Predators

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Struggle Continues

It's a 7 game losing streak, it's 8 games of scoring 2 goals or less, its John Tavares with 6 points in his last 26 games and no goals in his last 10. It's numbers that make you cringe and it results in some frustrating and ugly hockey.

The Islanders who had a great surge in January that had the team and the fans thinking about a spring tournament appearance have come crashing back down to earth. The reality is this is a slow rebuild and they are still at least another year and another impact player away from playoff contention.

Obviously as fans we want instant respect, instant gratification, and success. That being said we are nearly 3/4 through the schedule and while the teams progress has been greatly encouraging we need to identify what players we have in the system going forward, what players need to move on and what to do with the Isles most tangible trade deadline asset Andy Sutton.

Sutton becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1st, he has been the teams most consistent physcial force and if the team can extend him prior to March 3rd at a reasonable cost due to Suttons' age and injury history they should. If he does not sign, it's time to move on and keep adding to the future either via draft picks or prosepects.

The Islanders have provided hope and excitement this season, the effort has been outstanding. Yet, here they sit currently with the 4th overall pick in this draft. I don't encourage a tank job, but I do believe in giving a look at some of the better prospects in the system, playing DiPietro more down the strectch to get him back in his flow, and using the younger players in key situations by reducing or saying goodbye to vets like Richard Park and Doug Weight.

Let's see what happens. If they win out the rest of the week things can change in a hiccup. This is life in the NHL these days.

On John Tavares:
The first 21 games of this young mans career was not an aberration. He is a 19 year old who is a 1st line center on a rebuilding team with not 1 proven offensive player in his prime. Does the kid need to work on his strength and training? Absolutely, like every pro 18-22 he has things he needs to work on. His presence, effort, durability, and desire on the ice cannot be questioned. Look at Stamkos last year, and Duchene early this year. Rookies/Young players will struggle.

On another note my early Top 3 for June (strictly Islanders thinking) 1.Fowler 2.Seguin 3.Hall

Play on boys.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Isles Slide Continues-JT Talks Ups and Downs


It's now a losing streak, three losses in a row after falling to the bottom of the conference Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 last night. This was coming off of the embarrasing loss against the Caps Tuesday night.

The loss of Jack Hillen to injury is a huge blow and it was felt greatly as Bruno Gervais struggled mightily in these past two games. The offense has also run dry with just 5 goals in their last 3 games. It doesn't get any easier this weekend as they are in Philly and Florida for critical games in the Eastern Conference standings.

John Tavares missed a golden opportunity last night on a beautful feed from the ever improving Andrew Macdonald. It was a tough night for JT who created chances and did a great job on the forecheck but couldn't finish. He also took a lazy penalty and was -2 dropping his season total to -10.

The great Alex Ovechkin had some words of advice for Tavares: "It's pretty hard when you've got lots of attention," Ovechkin said." If I were him I'd just go on vacation during the Olympic Break and forget about the media and the attention and just worry about the second half of the season."

Check out this tremendous Tavares feature from todays Newsday on which JT appears on the back cover above.

Game Stats:
Washington:1A/-1/1SOG/17:49TOI/Faceoffs:3-6

Monday, January 25, 2010

Islanders Kids Getting Credit



I'm back after a brief sabbatical.

The Islanders recorded a shootout victory over Florida but fell to the Devils Saturday night. The buzz is increasing though, there have been articles this past weekend praising the young Isles as they continue to surge forth with their building process.

It also is generating noise at the gate we're the team recorded two sellouts last week and reports of financials being up across the board. There are plenty of good things occurring on Long Island and it should be a fun stretch run.

John Tavares has had his ice time cut somewhat over the last several weeks but did register an assist Saturday night and continues to fight through his recent struggles. The olympic break can only be seen as a positve for the younger Islanders to get some rest in this condensed hockey season.

Ovie and his comrades are in tomorrow.

John Tavares Stats Through 52 Games
Goals: 17 (1st among rookies)
Assists: 15 (5th among rookies)
Points: 32 (2nd among rookies)
+/=: -7
PP Goals: 8
GW Goals: 2
Faceoff Pct: 48.1 (1st among rookies)

Links:
Kids like Okposo have Isles in playoff hunt

Islanders slip up, but playoffs still in sight

Rookie Cardboard Rankings

Coliseum a hothouse where young Islanders are growing

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Islanders Lose-Crosby/Malkin Dominate

The Islanders came back from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to tie it up at 4-4 but a power play hat-trick goal by Evgeny Malkin in the 3rd period was the game winner. Sidney Crosby also contributed six points in the Penguins 6-4 victory.

New York was undisciplined but kept coming at the champs and nearly stole a point until Andy Sutton received a major penalty with minutes left in the 3rd for a hit from behind on Pascal Dupuis. Sutton is expecting a suspension.

John Tavares had some opportunities and setup Kyle Okposo for a glorious chance but it was a tough night for KO as he was stopped on a penalty shot, two additional breakways, and came up short on his game high 7 shots on goal.

Florida comes to the Island tomorrow night.

Game Stats:
-1/ 2SOG/ 15:13TOI/ Faceoffs: 6-6

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Islanders Continuing To Roll

The Islanders defeated the Devils handily yesterday and will look to keep the train rolling tonight against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

New York sent Martin Brodeur to the showers early and completed a dominating effort with a 4-0 shutout for Rick DiPietro. It was back to back victories for the returning netminder.

John Tavares had six shots on goal and added a nice assist on Mark Streits power play tally. Despite 3 points in his last 4 games JT finds himself trailing in the rookie points race for the first time in months. Matt Duchene had 3 points last night giving him 33 to Tavares' 31. But only positive signs can be taken from Tavares having 16 shots on goal in his last 3 games.

Sid the kid and friends tonight.

(SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO OF TAVARES WEARING THE RED WHITE AND BLUE!!!!)

Game Stats:
1A/ 6SOG/ +1/ 15:20TOI/ Faceoffs 9-5

Links:
Pittsburgh vs. NY Islanders Preview

Isles Playoff Push Getting Serious

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Tavares, DiPietro End Droughts

It was over a year since Rick DiPietro had won a game and it might have felt that long for John Tavares since he last scored a goal but both contributed to a 3-2 Islanders victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

Tavares opened the scoring with his 17th goal of the season and first in nine games. JT also recorded 5 shots on goal for the 2nd consecutive game as he slowly breaks out of his slump.

But this night belonged to DiPietro who started his first game at home and registered his first win since December 26th 2008. DiPietro was great in the shootout and made a statement that he is back and is feeling healthy. It's a long road but the news is positive.

The great Brodeur and his Devils come in for a MLK afternoon tilt tomorrow.

Game Stats:
1G/ 5SOG/ 16:55TOI/ Faceoofs: 5-8

Goal:


Links:
John Tavares set to debut a new look at open practice today

Islanders top Sabres in DiPietro's Coliseum return, 3-2

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Islanders Dominate Red Wings

The title says it all. The Islanders dominated every single aspect of tonights game en route to a 6-0 victory of the Detroit Red Wings.

There were too many contributions to single out any one player, it was a great team effort. Rob Schremp got 2 more goals, Josh Bailey continues to sparkle with 2 helpers, and Kyle Okposo scored again.

John Tavares had 5 shots on goal and despite not having any points had a very solid game. I was 10 rows from the ice and you can really see the frustration on JTs' face as he was robbed on several chances. If he keeps plugging they are going to start falling but he has looked stronger over the last several games.

A nice three day break before Buffalo comes in Saturday.

Game Stats:
+2/ 5SOG/ 15:06TOI/ Faceoffs:6-6

Links:
SCHREMP HAS FIRST TWO-GOAL GAME AS ISLANDERS DOWN RED WINGS

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Isles Blow Lead But Win In SO


The Islanders took advantage of Coyotes coach Dave Tippets' blunder and jumped out to a 4-1 lead after Ed Jovanovski tried to take off John Tavares' head with his elbow and was given a major penalty and a game misconduct. Tippet never placed a player in the box to serve the penalty and when it lapsed Phoenix remained shorthanded and subsequently took another penalty pretty much spending half the second period shorthanded.

New York though was their own worst enemy and subsequently blew a 3 goal 3rd period lead before salvaging a 5-4 shootout win.

Tavares registered as assist despite the elbow and a brutal crosscheck from Adrian Aucoin as well. JT needs to get going, he was more involved on this trip and with 1 game in the next 6 days it should give him an opportunity to re-charge his batteries and nurse any ailments that he might be suffering.

Red Wings come in Tuesday.

Game Stats:
1A/ +1/ 17:18TOI/ Faceoffs: 5-9

Links:
Islanders salvage shootout win

Tavares remains confident despite scoring drought

Saturday, January 9, 2010

DiPietro/Islanders Comes Up Short In Return

It was a sloppy game and Rick DiPietro was shaking off rust from a one year layoff but still the Islanders came a goal post short of tying the game and getting a road point.

That post came off the struggling stick of John Tavares. Tavares did look better again and is showing signs that he could be on the verge of snapping this funk he's been in. The lack of breaks for JT hasn't helpeed his cause.

Short turnaround for Phoenix tomorrow.

Game Stats:
-1/ 2SOG/ 17:29TOI/ Faceoffs 9-6

Links:
STARS DOWN ISLANDERS TO SPOIL DIPIETRO'S RETURN IN NET

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Mile High Victory Send Isles Back To 500

It was lauded as a matchup between the 1st and 3rd overall picks in this past years draft but it was the great goaltending (again) of Dwayne Roloson and the clutch goal by Kyle Okposo that was the story as the Islanders defeated the Avalanche by a score of 3-2.

New York climbs back to 500 with the win and also welcomed back Rick DiPietro who dressed and backed up Roloson. Would not be suprising to see DiPietro get the start Friday night in Dallas.

Rob Schremp scored a truly highlight reel goal by catching a puck and batting it out of mid-air. Jon Sim also scored for New York.

John Tavares was again held pointless and did not register a shot on goal but he did work hard and setup Okposo with a nice one timer that was stopped by Avs goalie Craig Anderson. JT also got ice time in the last minute indicative of the his competency in all three zones tonight. Matt Duchene was held scoreless for the Avs as well but did have several glorious chances that he was unable to finish.

Off to Dallas.

Game Stats:
+1/ 16:02TOI/ Faceoffs 5-5

Links:
DiPietro on bench as Isles top Avalanche

Avalanche's heralded rookie Duchene takes on Islanders'counterpart Tavares

Tavares going through some rookie growing pains

TAVARES SIGNS AT MODELL'S

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Thoughts On The Last Week

On the Islanders:

They are getting points, mostly thanks to the goaltending of Dwayne Roloson. There still seems to be a something missing currently from this team but if they can remain somewhat healthy it will be interesting to see if they can lift their play. Josh Bailey and Rob Schremp have been solid the last week, as always consistency is the factor for these two.

On Johnny T:

The kid is struggling. I believe he has been more involved at times over the last several games and the plus side is he is always working hard. JT struggled when the Isles had no travel at all in the last several weeks maybe this trip can get him re-focused and re-charge the batteries.

On the Winter Classic:

It was a great event and the NHL and the city of Boston handled everything top notch.

On BU/Corey Trivino:

Caught the UMass-Amherst/Boston U game Saturday afternoon. What a great event. The Agganis Arena is beautiful, cozy, and provided great sightlines. Isles prosepect Corey Trivino looked solid, not great but you can see at the the very least he will be a pro. He definitely needs another year if not two of college before the Isles think of signing him.

Some links and JT/Matty Mo video below.

Avs, Duchene Prepare For Isles, Tavares

Monday, January 4, 2010

Back For A New Year

Back from Boston, here are some links from the last few days to hold you over.

More to come later...thoughts on the Winter Classic, BU Hockey, and the return of Rick DiPietro.

Links:
Tavares confident his goal-scoring touch will return

NO SHORTAGE OF HISTORY AS CANADA, U.S. CLASH IN CHAMPIONSHIP

Islanders Half-Year Review

Cometh new year, cometh change