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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

From Devistation into Celebration

New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, Top Right, Reacts  Zach Parise #9 Of The New Jersey Devils Breaks






When the puck slowly slid across the goal line at the Prudential Center last Saturday afternoon, I can assure you that I was not the only Islander fan ready to give up on this team.
In my mind, and out loud, I was screaming, "What do they have to do to get a win?" As I was in the process of typing a tweet about how bad the Islanders are, the MSG+ crew was showing replays of the goal. I calmed down enough to watch the replays, and after THIS decision was made, a faceoff was irrelevant, and the Islanders somehow had came away with 2 points and their first road win of the year.

They can keep it rolling.

After that mini heart attack, the Islanders played a great all around day to close out November on a positive note. In Bufflo, Brian Rolston got the late backhander into the back of the net. Al Montoya was phenominal, making 30 saves and getting another win. A few points from these games.

1. Michael Grabner needs a breakaway coach, or to think less. In the last 3 games, Grabner has had almost 10 breakaways and a penalty shot. He only converted on one, and that was the one when he had no time to think about where he was going to shoot it.

2. David Ullstrom is really playing well. He is getting opportunites, and he is helping the team convert. He got an assist on the game winning goal yesterday, and he is playing like he wants to stay in the NHL.
New York Islanders' Brian Rolston (11) Celebrates

3. Al Montoya is trying to end the Islanders goalie controversy. Last night, he was unbelievable in Buffalo, and he has played great. He is the #1 goalie. Rick DiPietro can wait, and whenever Evgeni Nabokov gets back, he should be traded.

A two game winning streak to end November is nice, but it will take a lot more to put the Isles back into playoff contention. Back to back games in Chicago and Dallas should be a real test for this club. Time to put up or shut up.

Lets Go Islanders!!!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Consistantly Inconsistant

On Long Island, things are changing. Rapidly. Let's rewind to about a week ago, Monday November 14th.

On November 14, the Islanders had just gotten back after a long flight from Vancouver following a 4-1 loss. Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro, and Evgeni Nabokov were all healthy. Lastly, every Isles game jersey has had either blue, orange, or white as the main color. Oh, how things can change in 6 days. On Tuesday, the Rangers came into the Coliseum and thanks to a late flub by Josh Bailey, got a tie-breaking goal and left with a 4-2 win.

This picture pretty much sums it up. The Coliseum was packed with Ranger fans. And after the goal, you can see the presence of all the Rangers fans going nuts. The Rangers players are thrilled.

Evgeni Nabokov did everything he could do, but the Isles couldn't do anything in front of him.





On Wednesday, the Isles did something nobody ever would have expected. They unveiled a new, black jersey in a fashion show event at the Coliseum. My take on these jerseys is that they could be a lot worse, but I don't like them. Just my opinion. View them for yourself and decide whether or not you like them.



The following day, the Isles just held on long enough to squeak out a 4-3 win over the Canadiens. Jay Pandolfo notched his first goal as an Islander and his 100th career goal. Evgeni Nabokov started the game. But in the first period, Nabokov hurt his groin while saving a shot. He was placed on injured reserve the next day. He's out for about a month.
He was playing like the #1 goalie, but we all know how these things work out with the Islanders.


In theory, this solved the Isles 3 goaie situation. DiPietro and Montoya would play while Nabokov healed.

Yesterday, the Islanders were at home hosting the defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins. But before the game, the Isles did a suprising move and called up rookie Anders Nilsson, who had no previous NHL experience, from Bridgeport because Al Montoya had a hamstring injury. After the Bruins clobbered both DiPietro and Nilsson throughly, the Isles were left battered and bruised.
A Puck Shot By Boston Bruins' Nathan Horton FliesBoston Bruins' Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara (33) And Tyler Seguin (19) Celebrate Chara's Goal As



















So, here we are. The Isles are already on their 4th goalie. 2 are on IR, DiPietro is the HEALTHY one, and if things go wrong from here, the Islanders also have Kevin Poulin in Bridgeport, you may remember him from last year. He played great before having his season shut down due to an injury. The Sound Tigers also have former Ranger Steve Valiquette because they needed a goalie after Nilsson was called up. I wouldn't be suprised if the old former Ranger is in the Isles crest real soon.

To Top everything off, Sidney Crosby will play in his first game since January tomorrow against the Isles. As if luck was already against the Islanders....


Lets Go Islanders!!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Lost on an Island

New York Islanders Goalie Evgeni Nabokov, Of Kazakhstan, Looks


I'm sure you all know what is going  on right now. Let's just hope this is not turning into last season. I'll just leave it at that.


Lets Go Islanders!!