The white hot Sabres come to Long Island tonight. Martin Biron in net for the Isles.
Some post game stuff out of Washington and some random links from the web.
Links:
Islanders vs. Sabres Preview
Tavares breaks through in OT to halt Caps' streak
Capitals Plus
BACKCHECKING: THIS YEAR'S NHL ROOKIES
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Islanders Change The Script
The Islanders fought hard and persevered with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Capitals. Washington had came in riding a six game winning streak but were foiled by great goaltending from Dwayne Roloson. A sub-par performance by Caps goalie Jose Theodore contributed as well.
It was another strong showing for John Tavares. He set up Mark Streits' game winner with great board work and beautiful backhand feed from behind the net. JT hit a crossbar and was stopped point blank by Theodore on several other chances. Tavares also fed a nice pass to Sean Bergenheim in the crease that was foiled by Theodore.
The Islanders (3-4-5) celebrate their first back to back wins as they head back to the Island to
take on the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night.
Game Stats
1A/ +2/ 5SOG/ 19:33TOI/ Faceoffs 6-9
Highlights:
Links:
Streit’s OT goal lifts Isles past Caps
Isles end Capitals' winning streak with 4-3 OT win
Streit's OT goal gives Isles victory over Caps
It was another strong showing for John Tavares. He set up Mark Streits' game winner with great board work and beautiful backhand feed from behind the net. JT hit a crossbar and was stopped point blank by Theodore on several other chances. Tavares also fed a nice pass to Sean Bergenheim in the crease that was foiled by Theodore.
The Islanders (3-4-5) celebrate their first back to back wins as they head back to the Island to
take on the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night.
Game Stats
1A/ +2/ 5SOG/ 19:33TOI/ Faceoffs 6-9
Highlights:
Links:
Streit’s OT goal lifts Isles past Caps
Isles end Capitals' winning streak with 4-3 OT win
Streit's OT goal gives Isles victory over Caps
Thursday, October 29, 2009
10/29/09 Links
A couple of stories from the web today.
Links:
Tavares proving he isn't out of place in the NHL
Islanders hope to cap plenty of games with new tradition
Links:
Tavares proving he isn't out of place in the NHL
Islanders hope to cap plenty of games with new tradition
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tavares Strong As Isles Top Rangers
They finally won a game in regulation and from the net out they earned it with a superb effort. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 3-1, they never trailed and not only did they hold on to a 3rd period lead they increased it.
Dwayne Roloson was outstanding in net. The defense held up. The team as a whole was solid positionally and when they bent they didn't break.
For my money John Tavares had his finest game as a pro. Yes, JT broke a scoreless streak with a 3rd period goal but his complete game was a strong one. The 19 year old looked like a grizzled veteran in his first contest in this legendary rivalry.
Tavares was hit hard by Rangers defenseman Marc Staal in the first and appeared to hurt his oft-injured shoulder in the second on a hit by Brandon Dubinsky. But the kid has shown not only is he mentally tough but physically tough.
Johnny T created countless opportunities and if it wasn't for the great goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist it could have been a 5 point night for JT. He played his most complete game as a NHL'er yet.
Game Stats:
1 Goal/ +2/ 3 SOG/ 16:14 TOI/ Faceoffs 7-4
Post Game Interview: (Representing the hard hat!)
Goal:
Highlights:
Links:
Islanders avert a late collapse to beat Rangers
Tavares scores in Isles win over Rangers
A Stark Contrast Benefits the Isles
Healthy Weight assists on Okposo's winner
NHL has become teenagers on ice
Long Island iced team
Dwayne Roloson was outstanding in net. The defense held up. The team as a whole was solid positionally and when they bent they didn't break.
For my money John Tavares had his finest game as a pro. Yes, JT broke a scoreless streak with a 3rd period goal but his complete game was a strong one. The 19 year old looked like a grizzled veteran in his first contest in this legendary rivalry.
Tavares was hit hard by Rangers defenseman Marc Staal in the first and appeared to hurt his oft-injured shoulder in the second on a hit by Brandon Dubinsky. But the kid has shown not only is he mentally tough but physically tough.
Johnny T created countless opportunities and if it wasn't for the great goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist it could have been a 5 point night for JT. He played his most complete game as a NHL'er yet.
Game Stats:
1 Goal/ +2/ 3 SOG/ 16:14 TOI/ Faceoffs 7-4
Post Game Interview: (Representing the hard hat!)
Goal:
Highlights:
Links:
Islanders avert a late collapse to beat Rangers
Tavares scores in Isles win over Rangers
A Stark Contrast Benefits the Isles
Healthy Weight assists on Okposo's winner
NHL has become teenagers on ice
Long Island iced team
Islanders/Rangers Tonight
Not much needs to be said here.
It's an important game for the Islanders fans and with 10 out of the next 13 games on the road after tonight it's a huge game for the team.
Former junior teammates John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto will get their first taste of the rivalry tonight. Both have been impressive with Del Zotto even stealing some of Johnnys' thunder...how dare he? Well, he is a Ranger now dammit.
Links:
Islanders vs. Rangers Preview
SIX MEMBERS OF 2009 DRAFT CLASS LIKELY TO STAY IN NHL
NHL draft picks continue to stick
and because this is indeed Tavares Country, a nice news bit on Johns' sister Laura Tavares' field hockey team.
Devils, Raiders denied trip to senior field hockey final
It's an important game for the Islanders fans and with 10 out of the next 13 games on the road after tonight it's a huge game for the team.
Former junior teammates John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto will get their first taste of the rivalry tonight. Both have been impressive with Del Zotto even stealing some of Johnnys' thunder...how dare he? Well, he is a Ranger now dammit.
Links:
Islanders vs. Rangers Preview
SIX MEMBERS OF 2009 DRAFT CLASS LIKELY TO STAY IN NHL
NHL draft picks continue to stick
and because this is indeed Tavares Country, a nice news bit on Johns' sister Laura Tavares' field hockey team.
Devils, Raiders denied trip to senior field hockey final
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Deja Vu All Over Again
The last time John Tavares was drafted 1st overall he was a 14 year old wunderkind who was granted exceptional player status. The Oshawa Generals, coming off a 15 win season finished at the bottom of the OHL giving them the opportunity to draft Tavares. They won 18 games the next season.
See where i'm going here.
That first season with the Generals had a roster consisting of 1 current NHL'er (Cal Clutterbuck) and 2 prospects with potential (Brett MacLean and Dale Mitchell). The rest was a rag tag bunch.
Tavares still produced and went on to win the CHL and OHL rookie of the year honors. But we are talking about the top level of hockey in the NHL and the Islanders decision to not add at least 1 proven veteran scorer or a NHL proven enforcer to police for Tavares is a questionable one.
It's the 2nd year of a 5 year plan, I understand that. I realize the intention is to peak when the team has a new arena, but there has to be progress. There has to be recognition and firm decisions with regards to what works and what doesn't work.
What works:
The Islanders. They always work hard, if not smart. I am tough on Scott Gordon to a point but I also respect the fact that he can motivate and his team always works hard. It's that smart thing that needs to be worked on, but then again this is the roster he was given.
What doesn't work:
As of right now, the system. Gordons' aggresive forechecking system could be successful, but his insistence to force it upon a team that is neither skilled nor fast enough to perform it effectively needs to be looked at.
Brendan Witt is a -44 in 75 games under Gordon.
You either have to change the players or change/adjust the system. This is Gordons 2nd year, the organization knew this system was going to be played and they gave him exactly one player to add to that, John Tavares. Matt Moulson was a suprise and they should be commended for signing him, but there is no way he was considered on their NHL depth chart before camp.
In closing, I understand a playoff spot is a longshot. But the last I looked there are still fans paying money to see the Islanders. There needs to be progress, and it can't be measured by 40 minutes of playing good hockey. If it's broke and it's not working then you have to fix it.
Links:
Upon further review
Off day before Rangers
Halak's hot hand ices Price
Habs play down to Isles' level
See where i'm going here.
That first season with the Generals had a roster consisting of 1 current NHL'er (Cal Clutterbuck) and 2 prospects with potential (Brett MacLean and Dale Mitchell). The rest was a rag tag bunch.
Tavares still produced and went on to win the CHL and OHL rookie of the year honors. But we are talking about the top level of hockey in the NHL and the Islanders decision to not add at least 1 proven veteran scorer or a NHL proven enforcer to police for Tavares is a questionable one.
It's the 2nd year of a 5 year plan, I understand that. I realize the intention is to peak when the team has a new arena, but there has to be progress. There has to be recognition and firm decisions with regards to what works and what doesn't work.
What works:
The Islanders. They always work hard, if not smart. I am tough on Scott Gordon to a point but I also respect the fact that he can motivate and his team always works hard. It's that smart thing that needs to be worked on, but then again this is the roster he was given.
What doesn't work:
As of right now, the system. Gordons' aggresive forechecking system could be successful, but his insistence to force it upon a team that is neither skilled nor fast enough to perform it effectively needs to be looked at.
Brendan Witt is a -44 in 75 games under Gordon.
You either have to change the players or change/adjust the system. This is Gordons 2nd year, the organization knew this system was going to be played and they gave him exactly one player to add to that, John Tavares. Matt Moulson was a suprise and they should be commended for signing him, but there is no way he was considered on their NHL depth chart before camp.
In closing, I understand a playoff spot is a longshot. But the last I looked there are still fans paying money to see the Islanders. There needs to be progress, and it can't be measured by 40 minutes of playing good hockey. If it's broke and it's not working then you have to fix it.
Links:
Upon further review
Off day before Rangers
Halak's hot hand ices Price
Habs play down to Isles' level
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Song Remains The Same
Isles fall in overtime.The Islanders were able to get a point tonight thanks to great goaltending from Martin Biron and clutch goal scoring from Jeff Tambellini. A little luck too, courtesy of a non-call from the refs.
Mark Streit knocked down a loose puck at center ice that was not called and led to the tying goal from Tambellini, his second of the game. Of course, the Islanders lost in extra time again 3-2. The Isles now stand at 1-4-5.
John Tavares was held scoreless for a 4th straight game. He had some opportunities and was offensively involved, including a nice play on the forecheck to help lead to Tambellinis' tying goal. But, JT has been developing some bad habits and his game has fallen in the last week. It will be interesting to see how he battles through his first bout with adversity at the pro level.
Game Stats:
-2/ 1 SOG/ 2 PIM/ 21:25 TOI/ Faceoffs 2-2
Highlights:
Mark Streit knocked down a loose puck at center ice that was not called and led to the tying goal from Tambellini, his second of the game. Of course, the Islanders lost in extra time again 3-2. The Isles now stand at 1-4-5.
John Tavares was held scoreless for a 4th straight game. He had some opportunities and was offensively involved, including a nice play on the forecheck to help lead to Tambellinis' tying goal. But, JT has been developing some bad habits and his game has fallen in the last week. It will be interesting to see how he battles through his first bout with adversity at the pro level.
Game Stats:
-2/ 1 SOG/ 2 PIM/ 21:25 TOI/ Faceoffs 2-2
Highlights:
Post Game Reaction:
Links:
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