The Islanders open the Brooklyn era tonight. Yet for me, Opening Night doesn't bring the same excitement it usually does. We all know it will never be the same again for the Isles.
I'm not sure I will ever fully get over the Islanders moving out of Nassau Coliseum.
I made this video over the last few weeks to have something to remember last season by.
Nearly every photo/video was taken by either me or my dad. I think it captures the Coliseum in all it's glory.
Lets Go Islanders!
Showing posts with label isles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label isles. Show all posts
Friday, October 9, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
The End of My Nassau Coliseum Journey
I went to my first New York Islanders game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, October 28, 2001. Now tomorrow, Sunday, April 19, 2015, I will go to what will very likely be my last Islanders game at Nassau Coliseum.
In that time, I've went to roughly 50-75 games, I can't put an exact number on it. My first game was a memorable one, click HERE to read more on that. But it has been a journey that has taught me many life lessons.
When I first became an Islanders fan, I had joined the New York Islanders Booster Club. During that time, I learned about the Islanders and their storied past. I met legends such as Bob Nystrom, Clark Gillies, and Pat LaFontaine. I also met then current Islanders such as Mike Peca, Dave Scatchard and Mariusz Czerkawski, among others. I got my first autographs, asked questions, and came to learn that my favorite team was in my backyard. I was a member of the NYIBC until I was in middle school.
However, the Booster Club was only a part of my growing up. I went to games all the time, usually with my dad. There were stick days, hat days, mascot days, and many other promotions. Shortly after my first game, I had a hat, shirts, jersey, you name it. To this day, I have stack of books in my basement that has every Islanders yearbook since the 2001-02 season, with programs and media guides from all those years scattered in there.
I learned the old-fashioned goal song, which I think should still be the goal song, but times change I guess. My whole life, I was known as "The Islanders Fan." For a young kid, I'm guessing I had a very good understanding of what was happening on the ice compared to many other people.
Early in my life, being an Islanders fan was pretty cool. We had Shawn Bates' penalty shot in 2002, which I remember watching in my bedroom with my father. The Islanders made the playoffs three years in a row when I began following the team. Two of these years, my father had purchased tickets to game six of the first round of the playoffs. Both years, the Islanders were eliminated in five games, so my dreams of going to a playoff game needed to wait.
But for me and most Islanders fans, going to the game meant going to watch a game. Nassau Coliseum has a far too small concourse, not so good food, a scoreboard that isn't big, and not too much fanfare. But what it lacks in amenities it makes up for in views of the game. In every seat in Nassau Coliseum, you can see the full ice surface, and you are usually able to hear hear the game pretty well. Here's a good example of that. One photo below was taken sometime between 2002 and 2004, sometime before the full season NHL lockout in 2004-05. One photo was taken in January 2015. Both are from the upper 300 level of the Coliseum. What changed? Pretty much nothing except the camera that took the photo of the spectacular view.
Now, I'm not saying that Nassau Coliseum isn't an outdated facility. It is. Compared to newer arenas, it could be considered a minor league facility. When you walk up the stairs at the 300 level at the Coliseum, your feet stick to the floor and unstick with each step, something you would more likely see at a bar than an NHL arena . That's probably the result of 43 years of beer and soda spilling all over them, but it's one of the small things that make the Coliseum great.
The roof at Nassau Coliseum isn't that high. The arena is built specifically for hockey, so the noise goes straight down on the ice, it doesn't leave. When you look up at the ceiling, you see dozens of banners commemorating the Islanders glory years of the 1980s. Four Stanley Cup Championship banners await company while others in blue and orange symbolize the Islanders 19 consecutive playoff series wins, a record that I doubt will ever be broken.
But for now, back to my journey. The NHL lockout of 2004-05 hurt. I was only 11 years old at the time, and all that free time let me start watching football. With the exception of Wade Dubielewicz poke check in 2007 that sent the Isles to the playoffs, the Islanders were just terrible from the moment I entered middle school. However, I was Al Arbour's 1500th game coached in 2007, and that moment was the first time I've ever seen a banner get raised to the rafters. It was a brief moment of glory in an otherwise forgettable time to be an Islanders fan.
Eventually, I started going to games by myself and with friends, not necessarily with my parents like I used to. In 2009, the wheels fell off the train. The Islanders finished with 61 points, by far worst in the NHL. I learned how to deal with losing, there is always tomorrow. Tickets for games were cheap and I went often with a friend who had season tickets. I had fun at those games, getting a bunch of cool autographs and other pieces of memorabilia. I remember seeing Sean Bergenheim score a hat trick with 0.7 seconds left in the game, which was probably the best moment I'd seen in person to that point.
But then, things stared to change. John Tavares was drafted. I was at his NHL debut. I remember screaming 'John Ta-va-res' after his first NHL goal. For seemingly every season, I was at opening night. The one night of the season when everyone starts the same. In my head, the Islanders just weren't was good of a team, but they were MY team. They weren't New York's team, they weren't Long Island's team, they were MY team. Yet, all through my high school years, they continually let me down, time after time after time.
One night in 2011, right after the Islanders made Jack Capuano head coach, my frustration with losing reached a high point. I wore a bag on my head to one of the games that season. It said "Last 11 games: Wins: 0 Coaches: 2." The team lost consistently, and I learned how to deal with it. During the 2010-11 season, I went to 14 games, the most I've ever been to in an Islanders season. That day, Sparky jokingly ate my head. People asked to take photos with me and of me, and I figured out that being last place can be fun. However, being the lovable loser gets quite old after a while.
Enter the lockout of 2012-13. I spent countless hours watching TV and looking at Twitter to see how the negotiations were going. It wasn't fun. That was my first semester in college, and the Islanders weren't there. But, I think they were just waiting for me to come home.
I'd been to pretty much every home opener since 2005, and I couldn't make the original 2012 one due to school. During the lockout, it was announced the Islanders were moving to Brooklyn, but that seemed like an afterthought at at the time.
However, the lockout finally ended in January 2013 and I was home to go to game one of the shortened 48 game season. Heck, I even went to the Coliseum at 9 a.m. on a Wednesday to watch training camp. The Islanders lost that home opener to the Devils, but there was no better feeling than watching the Islanders back where they belonged. That season was magical, as the Islanders made the playoffs for the first time since I was in middle school.
That series against Pittsburgh in 2013 was an amazing one although I couldn't get to one of the games. Just the thought that the Islanders were once again a legitimate NHL team competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a new one in my head.
In 2013-14, I got to go to a few games over Thanksgiving and other school breaks. I also got lucky and videotaped some memorable Islanders moments such as Ryan Strome's First NHL Goal and John Tavares' Hat Trick Goal, both on the same night. Although the season wasn't good, it was something to build on for this season and I got some cool memorabilia out of it, my favorite of which you can see on the right.
But finally came this current season, the final on at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It started off with the Draft Party and Rookie Scrimmage, and at those events I could tell this was going to be a fun season.
I got to go to the Islanders preseason game in Brooklyn in September. Don't get me wrong, Barclays Center is a state of the art facility and the Islanders will be happy to call it home. It has great food, huge concourses, a giant video board, and is the type of 21st Century Arena the Islanders haven't had. But the arena isn't quite a hockey arena yet. The sight lines are off, and it just didn't feel like home to me. But ready or not, Brooklyn we come.
Once the regular season started, the Islanders were spectacular. Winning was followed by more winning at a pace I haven't seen in my lifetime. At my first game of the year, I heard the Coliseum louder than I've ever heard it before. That's what winning does. Take a look for yourself:
This season has been amazing. I have made more of an effort to go to games, knowing that I probably won't be able to go as much once the team is in Brooklyn for good. The barn has rocked, and it is a big difference from the 8,889 that attended the Islanders game on Halloween night in 2009. I was one of those few who saw Jeff Tambellini score a hat trick. That game has always stuck with me because of the attendance, but 16,000+ make a heck of a lot more noise than that. Example number two of the noise, see below:
I've seen other great moments at the Coliseum this season, but it's not over yet. Like many other Long Islanders, I have grown up going to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. At my first game at Nassau Coliseum, I was a seven years old and in second grade. At what may be my last, I am 20 years old and a junior in college.
But for my whole life, I've waited to say this sentence. Now that it's past midnight on Long Island, I can say this proudly for the first time:
Today, I'm going to a Stanley Cup Playoffs game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
In that time, I've went to roughly 50-75 games, I can't put an exact number on it. My first game was a memorable one, click HERE to read more on that. But it has been a journey that has taught me many life lessons.
 |
| Mike Peca |
 |
| Mariusz Czerkawski |
 |
| Pat LaFontaine |
However, the Booster Club was only a part of my growing up. I went to games all the time, usually with my dad. There were stick days, hat days, mascot days, and many other promotions. Shortly after my first game, I had a hat, shirts, jersey, you name it. To this day, I have stack of books in my basement that has every Islanders yearbook since the 2001-02 season, with programs and media guides from all those years scattered in there.
I learned the old-fashioned goal song, which I think should still be the goal song, but times change I guess. My whole life, I was known as "The Islanders Fan." For a young kid, I'm guessing I had a very good understanding of what was happening on the ice compared to many other people.Early in my life, being an Islanders fan was pretty cool. We had Shawn Bates' penalty shot in 2002, which I remember watching in my bedroom with my father. The Islanders made the playoffs three years in a row when I began following the team. Two of these years, my father had purchased tickets to game six of the first round of the playoffs. Both years, the Islanders were eliminated in five games, so my dreams of going to a playoff game needed to wait.
But for me and most Islanders fans, going to the game meant going to watch a game. Nassau Coliseum has a far too small concourse, not so good food, a scoreboard that isn't big, and not too much fanfare. But what it lacks in amenities it makes up for in views of the game. In every seat in Nassau Coliseum, you can see the full ice surface, and you are usually able to hear hear the game pretty well. Here's a good example of that. One photo below was taken sometime between 2002 and 2004, sometime before the full season NHL lockout in 2004-05. One photo was taken in January 2015. Both are from the upper 300 level of the Coliseum. What changed? Pretty much nothing except the camera that took the photo of the spectacular view.
 |
| 2015 |
 |
| 2004 |
Now, I'm not saying that Nassau Coliseum isn't an outdated facility. It is. Compared to newer arenas, it could be considered a minor league facility. When you walk up the stairs at the 300 level at the Coliseum, your feet stick to the floor and unstick with each step, something you would more likely see at a bar than an NHL arena . That's probably the result of 43 years of beer and soda spilling all over them, but it's one of the small things that make the Coliseum great.
The roof at Nassau Coliseum isn't that high. The arena is built specifically for hockey, so the noise goes straight down on the ice, it doesn't leave. When you look up at the ceiling, you see dozens of banners commemorating the Islanders glory years of the 1980s. Four Stanley Cup Championship banners await company while others in blue and orange symbolize the Islanders 19 consecutive playoff series wins, a record that I doubt will ever be broken.But for now, back to my journey. The NHL lockout of 2004-05 hurt. I was only 11 years old at the time, and all that free time let me start watching football. With the exception of Wade Dubielewicz poke check in 2007 that sent the Isles to the playoffs, the Islanders were just terrible from the moment I entered middle school. However, I was Al Arbour's 1500th game coached in 2007, and that moment was the first time I've ever seen a banner get raised to the rafters. It was a brief moment of glory in an otherwise forgettable time to be an Islanders fan.
 |
| 2005-06 |
Eventually, I started going to games by myself and with friends, not necessarily with my parents like I used to. In 2009, the wheels fell off the train. The Islanders finished with 61 points, by far worst in the NHL. I learned how to deal with losing, there is always tomorrow. Tickets for games were cheap and I went often with a friend who had season tickets. I had fun at those games, getting a bunch of cool autographs and other pieces of memorabilia. I remember seeing Sean Bergenheim score a hat trick with 0.7 seconds left in the game, which was probably the best moment I'd seen in person to that point.
But then, things stared to change. John Tavares was drafted. I was at his NHL debut. I remember screaming 'John Ta-va-res' after his first NHL goal. For seemingly every season, I was at opening night. The one night of the season when everyone starts the same. In my head, the Islanders just weren't was good of a team, but they were MY team. They weren't New York's team, they weren't Long Island's team, they were MY team. Yet, all through my high school years, they continually let me down, time after time after time.
 |
| Opening Night 2010 |
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| Opening Night 2011 |
One night in 2011, right after the Islanders made Jack Capuano head coach, my frustration with losing reached a high point. I wore a bag on my head to one of the games that season. It said "Last 11 games: Wins: 0 Coaches: 2." The team lost consistently, and I learned how to deal with it. During the 2010-11 season, I went to 14 games, the most I've ever been to in an Islanders season. That day, Sparky jokingly ate my head. People asked to take photos with me and of me, and I figured out that being last place can be fun. However, being the lovable loser gets quite old after a while.
Enter the lockout of 2012-13. I spent countless hours watching TV and looking at Twitter to see how the negotiations were going. It wasn't fun. That was my first semester in college, and the Islanders weren't there. But, I think they were just waiting for me to come home.
I'd been to pretty much every home opener since 2005, and I couldn't make the original 2012 one due to school. During the lockout, it was announced the Islanders were moving to Brooklyn, but that seemed like an afterthought at at the time.
 |
| Opening Night January 2013 |
That series against Pittsburgh in 2013 was an amazing one although I couldn't get to one of the games. Just the thought that the Islanders were once again a legitimate NHL team competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a new one in my head.
In 2013-14, I got to go to a few games over Thanksgiving and other school breaks. I also got lucky and videotaped some memorable Islanders moments such as Ryan Strome's First NHL Goal and John Tavares' Hat Trick Goal, both on the same night. Although the season wasn't good, it was something to build on for this season and I got some cool memorabilia out of it, my favorite of which you can see on the right.But finally came this current season, the final on at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It started off with the Draft Party and Rookie Scrimmage, and at those events I could tell this was going to be a fun season.
I got to go to the Islanders preseason game in Brooklyn in September. Don't get me wrong, Barclays Center is a state of the art facility and the Islanders will be happy to call it home. It has great food, huge concourses, a giant video board, and is the type of 21st Century Arena the Islanders haven't had. But the arena isn't quite a hockey arena yet. The sight lines are off, and it just didn't feel like home to me. But ready or not, Brooklyn we come.
Once the regular season started, the Islanders were spectacular. Winning was followed by more winning at a pace I haven't seen in my lifetime. At my first game of the year, I heard the Coliseum louder than I've ever heard it before. That's what winning does. Take a look for yourself:
This season has been amazing. I have made more of an effort to go to games, knowing that I probably won't be able to go as much once the team is in Brooklyn for good. The barn has rocked, and it is a big difference from the 8,889 that attended the Islanders game on Halloween night in 2009. I was one of those few who saw Jeff Tambellini score a hat trick. That game has always stuck with me because of the attendance, but 16,000+ make a heck of a lot more noise than that. Example number two of the noise, see below:
I've seen other great moments at the Coliseum this season, but it's not over yet. Like many other Long Islanders, I have grown up going to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. At my first game at Nassau Coliseum, I was a seven years old and in second grade. At what may be my last, I am 20 years old and a junior in college.But for my whole life, I've waited to say this sentence. Now that it's past midnight on Long Island, I can say this proudly for the first time:
Today, I'm going to a Stanley Cup Playoffs game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Lets Go Islanders!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
End of Season Grades
Now that the season's over, it's time for some end of the year grades. I won't be posting all of my grades here, but here are a few of them. To check out all of the grades, be sure to check out IslesBlog soon. Both of these grades are listed out of 100 possible points.
Anders Lee: 80
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| Photo Credit: NHLcom |
By the time the Islanders called up
Anders Lee after the Olympics, their season was already in desperation mode. In
the 22 games since his call up, Lee proved he belongs in the NHL, registering 9
goals and 5 assists for 14 points. During that time, Lee also was a +3, a rare
stat for an Islander. Although Lee’s numbers are good, he went through an 11
game slump in the middle of his call up, getting just one point between March
18 and April 10. Lee could end up playing with John Tavares next season, which
would vastly help his game, but we saw flashes of it late in this season. The former
6th round draft pick earned his spot on the NHL team next season by
his solid play this season.
Frans Nielsen: 86
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| Photo Credit: NHL.com |
Stats wise, Frans Nieslen had a
career year, raking up 25 goals and 33 assists for 58 points, all career highs.
Nielsen scored on 15 percent of the shots he took this season, which is the
highest percentage of any Islander. His -11 is no cause for concern because he
was healthy all season, and it’s hard to be positive while on the Islanders. When
talking about Nielsen, it’s hard to forget about his shootout abilities. The
Great Dane took a shot in all 15 Islanders shootouts this season, scoring on
eight of them. That put him second in the NHL behind TJ Oshie in shootout
goals. With Lubomir Visnovsky out for most of the early season and John Tavares
out in the end, Nielsen stepped up and became a first line center and power
play point man, roles that he filled admirably. However, Nielsen shouldn’t be
in either of those roles come next season with everyone healthy.
That's all I will give you for now. Be sure to check out IslesBlog in a few days. Lets Go Islanders!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Cleaning Out and Looking Forward
I went to Isles cleanup day today to try and get a few autographs and talk to the guys. I did that, as you can see on my other blog.
When Lubomir Visnovsky walked out, I asked if he would be ready for next year. "I hope so," he said. Johan Sundstrom is all healed from his concussion. Brian Strait (right) will be getting his cast off tomorrow. Everything is looking up for the 2014-15 Islanders, who will be playing for the last time at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Try not to cry when watching below.
When Lubomir Visnovsky walked out, I asked if he would be ready for next year. "I hope so," he said. Johan Sundstrom is all healed from his concussion. Brian Strait (right) will be getting his cast off tomorrow. Everything is looking up for the 2014-15 Islanders, who will be playing for the last time at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Try not to cry when watching below.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
A Night on the Isle
When rooting for the New York Islanders, one might become bipolar with the sudden lows and highs fluctuating on pretty much a nightly basis. However, this team can be a teaching point for life in general, from loyalty to passion and never giving up. MSG's Alan Hahn sums it up after last night's game.
However, last night was a fun exception. I was lucky enough to be in attendance. I bought tickets on a website for at least $90 below face value and they were great seats. Evgeni Nabokov got hurt in the first period, which usually is an ominous sign of things to come. After the first period, it felt like it was going to be another one of those nights where the Isles go through the motions in line for a loss, after which Jack Capuano will say the team's "battle level" wasn't there. Like we haven't heard that one before.
In the second period, that quickly changed. On the power play, the Isles got a break, and I got my camera out for what you see below.
Shortly after that, the die-hards in section 329 broke out into a 'Yes' chant that has to be seen live to believe and love.
For once, the Isles were the team getting the breaks, putting the puck in the net with regularity. The crowd at the Coliseum could sense it, as the Stars were held without a shot for almost 10 minutes in the second period. After John Tavares tied it off an amazing pass from Thomas Vanek. After that, Dallas called timeout to try and regain their composure. It didn't work.
If Peter Regin scores, Isles win. It's that simple. They won when he scored in the preseason, and now they have won both times he scored in the regular season. His tap in of a Josh Bailey pass gave the Islanders a lead.
Then Dallas tied it. At this point, I started thinking, "Here we go again." However, Brock Nelson singlehandedly brought the Isles the lead going into the second intermission.
In the third period, it was the John Tavares show. First, he set up Brian Strait during a 4 on 4 to make it 5-3. Then, he came out of the corner untouched and knocked the puck past Kari Lehtonen to make it 6-3. While all of this was going on, Kevin Poulin faced only 15 shots in relief of Evgeni Nabokov, stopping 13 of them en route to the win. With under 4 minutes left in the game, the Islanders had nearly two minutes of 5 on 3 time to try and set up the captain for his hat trick. Here's what happened.
Maybe this game was a distraction from the fact that this is not where the Islanders thought they would be at this point in the season. Maybe it will be a turning point for them to build on in hopes of making the playoffs. But for one night, all is well on Long Island.
All the loyal supporters will just have to keep watching and hoping that something will happen.
Thanks for reading! Lets Go Islanders!
It's dwindled to minuscule numbers, but there is no more passion and loyalty than what lies within those hardy souls at Nassau Coliseum.
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) January 7, 2014
The seating capacity at Nassau Coliseum is currently listed as 16,170. Last night's attendance of 11,111 was well below the average attendance of 13,461, but it is an all too common sight these days. The Islanders inevitably taking a lead before a not too packed house, only to painstakingly let them all down, and send the crowd home angry and empty handed.However, last night was a fun exception. I was lucky enough to be in attendance. I bought tickets on a website for at least $90 below face value and they were great seats. Evgeni Nabokov got hurt in the first period, which usually is an ominous sign of things to come. After the first period, it felt like it was going to be another one of those nights where the Isles go through the motions in line for a loss, after which Jack Capuano will say the team's "battle level" wasn't there. Like we haven't heard that one before.In the second period, that quickly changed. On the power play, the Isles got a break, and I got my camera out for what you see below.
Shortly after that, the die-hards in section 329 broke out into a 'Yes' chant that has to be seen live to believe and love.For once, the Isles were the team getting the breaks, putting the puck in the net with regularity. The crowd at the Coliseum could sense it, as the Stars were held without a shot for almost 10 minutes in the second period. After John Tavares tied it off an amazing pass from Thomas Vanek. After that, Dallas called timeout to try and regain their composure. It didn't work.
If Peter Regin scores, Isles win. It's that simple. They won when he scored in the preseason, and now they have won both times he scored in the regular season. His tap in of a Josh Bailey pass gave the Islanders a lead.
Then Dallas tied it. At this point, I started thinking, "Here we go again." However, Brock Nelson singlehandedly brought the Isles the lead going into the second intermission.In the third period, it was the John Tavares show. First, he set up Brian Strait during a 4 on 4 to make it 5-3. Then, he came out of the corner untouched and knocked the puck past Kari Lehtonen to make it 6-3. While all of this was going on, Kevin Poulin faced only 15 shots in relief of Evgeni Nabokov, stopping 13 of them en route to the win. With under 4 minutes left in the game, the Islanders had nearly two minutes of 5 on 3 time to try and set up the captain for his hat trick. Here's what happened.
Maybe this game was a distraction from the fact that this is not where the Islanders thought they would be at this point in the season. Maybe it will be a turning point for them to build on in hopes of making the playoffs. But for one night, all is well on Long Island.
All the loyal supporters will just have to keep watching and hoping that something will happen.
Thanks for reading! Lets Go Islanders!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
The Good, The Bad, and The Terrible
Happy Holidays! The Islanders currently sit in 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference with 29 points. That is an all to familiar spot in the standings for the Isles. While this year was supposed to be a year that the Islanders would prove that they are a playoff team and potential Stanley Cup contender, this year has gone down the drain early. Here is some of what's up with this team.
The Good: Since returning from a groin injury, veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has been great. In the five games since returning, Nabby is 2-1-2. First, he shutout the Montreal Canadiens for a full three periods. But since the Isles didn't score either, the game went to OT where Nabby couldn't make a save on a Max Pacioretty stop. In his last game in Detroit, Nabby was barely tested by a beat-up Red Wings team and got his 56th career shutout, first of the season. In five games since returning, Nabokov has a 1.96 Goals Against Average and a .928 Save Percentage, both great numbers that should help his team win if he keeps them up.
The Bad: These photos from the end of the third period of the game against Tampa Bay don't need much explaining.
The Terrible: Third Period Leads. What is it with the New York Islanders and third period leads? In 38 games this season, the Islanders have blown a third period TEN times. If the Islanders had won all 10 of those games, they would be right in the middle of the playoff teams. In five of those 10 games, the Isles have blown a two goal lead. In those five games, the Isles are 0-2-3 after taking a two goal lead into the third period. Simply, the Islanders will need to be mentally tough and physically tougher in the third period if they want to have any chance at making the playoffs.
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| Credit: Getty Images |
The Bad: These photos from the end of the third period of the game against Tampa Bay don't need much explaining.
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| Credit: Getty Images |
At least Ryan Strome is here to save everybody.
Happy Holidays to all and Lets Go Islanders!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Have We Found Him?
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| Credit: USA Today |
Kevin Poulin will make his third straight start for the Islanders tonight vs. the Los Angeles Kings.
This will only be the third time in Poulin's career that he will start in three straight NHL games. It happened in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, but both of those times, Poulin was the #1 goalie by default because the Islanders had numerous goaltender injuries.
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| Credti: Getty Images |
Whoever is in net will still need more help, as both Lubomir Visnovsky and Brian Strait aren't near returning from their injuries quite yet. With or without them, the question remains:
How long can the Poulin wall keep backstopping the Islanders?
Lets Go Islanders!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
On the Brink
As you probably know, the New York Islanders just evened their playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins with a gutsy, gritty 6-4 win on Tuesday night. If you don't know, or just want to see again, here are the highlights from the game that tied the series at 2.
Yes, Marc-Andre Fleury has been pretty bad in the Penguins net. However, that should not take anything away from the Islanders and what they have done to give the Penguins a test they never would have expected going into this series.
After the first period of game two, the Islanders have done a great job of getting to Crosby and Malkin, as well as many other Penguins, keeping off their game and making them stay on high alert whenever they are on the ice. Travis Hamonic has been instrumental in doing that, as he has been the Islanders best physical defenseman.
Another key is the Islanders have been getting secondary scoring, especially from the defensemen. Through the first four games of the series, Mark Streit is the Isles leading scorer with five points, including three in the game four win. Lubomir Visnovsky and Travis Hamonic have each added two assists. An unlikely source, former Penguin Brian Strait, opened game four's scoring with a seeing-eye wrist shot from just inside the blue line. The goal was Strait's first NHL goal, playoffs or regular season. Casey Cizikas, who barely made the team out of training camp in January, has more points in the first four games than John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Don't forget about Tavares though, as he scored the tying goal in game three and got the winner in game four.Evgeni Nabokov has been a little shaky in net, but he has made the saves he has needed to with the game on the line.
Right now, the series is heading back to Pittsburgh for a pivotal game five in what has turned into a best two out of three series. The madhouse off the Meadowbrook has been rocking, and the old barn will be rocking again for Saturday's game 6. Are the Islanders for real? Can they knock off the mighty Penguins? We'll see soon.
Why not us? beLIeve
Lets Go Islanders!!!
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| Credit: Getty Images |
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| Credit: Getty Images |
After the first period of game two, the Islanders have done a great job of getting to Crosby and Malkin, as well as many other Penguins, keeping off their game and making them stay on high alert whenever they are on the ice. Travis Hamonic has been instrumental in doing that, as he has been the Islanders best physical defenseman.
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| Credit: Getty Images |
Right now, the series is heading back to Pittsburgh for a pivotal game five in what has turned into a best two out of three series. The madhouse off the Meadowbrook has been rocking, and the old barn will be rocking again for Saturday's game 6. Are the Islanders for real? Can they knock off the mighty Penguins? We'll see soon.
Why not us? beLIeve
Lets Go Islanders!!!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
2013 Line Combinations
Earlier this morning, the NHL and NHLPA reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. Yes, there is still work to be done. All the details need to be looked at, players need to get back to their teams from all around the world. Then, after all of that, only one week of training camp will take place before the NHL season finally gets under way. Take note, NHL rosters have 20 players including 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goalies.
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| Photo Credit: espn.com |
Forward Line 1: Matt Moulson---John Tavares---Brad Boyes
Tavares and Moulson have been together since Tavares' rookie season. Since them, they have became one of the best scoring duos in the entire NHL. Tavares has been busy this season, playing on the same team as Mark Streit in the Swiss league. (Click on his name to see a highlight._ Hopefully he won't have any problems adjusting back to New York time. For the past few years, they have usually had PA Parenteau flanking them. However, Parenteau left the Islanders and went to Colorado. Now, the Islanders have Brad Boyes. In 2008-09 with the Blues, Boyes scored 43 goals. The next season, he had 72 points. Unfortunately, over the last two seasons in Buffalo, he has just a combined 13 goals. Boyes has prove he can score at an elite level in the NHL, and I think that playing with the two best offensive weapons on the team will boost Boyes back to relevance.
Forward Line 2: Michael Grabner---Frans Nielsen---Kyle Okposo
This line is almost guaranteed to be together. They have been for the past few years, and I don't see anything that will separate them. Although Grabner may have had a sophomore slump, he picked it up toward the end of last season to reach the 20 goal mark. Nielsen is by far the best defensive forward on the team, and combined with his dominance in the shootout, he is the easy pick for the number two center. Kyle Okposo got off to a very slow start last season, not scoring until a month into the season, yet he finished with a career high 24 goals last season, and with a shortened season, I can't see him surpassing the mark. These three will be together, as they have one thing the Isles have lacked over the past few years, chemistry.
Forward Line 3: Matt Martin---Josh Bailey---David Ullstrom
This line is one that that is not even close to set in stone. Matt Martin signed a new contract minutes before the lockout got underway. He has become a fan favorite for his big hits, and last year he proved that he can score more than just one goal. Martin was never afraid to take contact, or initiate it. He proved even more valuable when he drove to the net and got good shots. Josh Bailey has been playing in the German league, where he had seven points in his first four games. It is doubtful, but if Bailey can keep up a good pace on the Island, the sky is the limit for the former 9th overall pick in the 2008 draft. David Ullstrom is as big a question mark as any on the Islanders. He has been playing with the Isles AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. He was great last year in his time on Long Island, but he may not be completely healthy. He has missed 11 games for the Sound Tigers. However, if he is healthy, he should be in the NHL. These three players, all very young, can be a good line to turn to late in games when Tavares and co. need some rest.
Forward Line 4: Jesse Joensuu---Marty Reasoner---Eric Boulton
Guess how many goals the three of these players combined for in the NHL last season? One. One single goal. It was scored by Marty Reasoner. (See link on his name.) Marty Reasoner was a complete bust last season for the Islanders, but I can't see them getting rid of him until the end of his contract. Eric Boulton played in 51 games for the Devils last season, yet he didn't register a single point offensively. He did get 115 penalty minutes though. The Islanders got him because they want him to be the type of player that Zenon Konopka is. A tough, gritty forward, who isn't afraid to drop the gloves with anyone or stand up for a teammate. If you've been following the Islanders for a few years, you probably remember Jesse Joensuu, who played last season in the Swedish league. Joensuu should be on the NHL roster when the season begins, and hopefully his year in Sweden helped him become a better player. This line probably won't produce much offense, but they can change the momentum of the game, with a hit, fight, or big play.
Defense Pairing 1: Mark Streit---Lubomir Visnovsky
After missing all of the 2010-11 season due to a fluke injury during training camp, Mark Streit came back better than anyone expected him to. He was the leader of the Islanders power play, played in every game, and was by far the Islanders best d-man. Throughout last year, Streit didn't have a great defense partner, so the Islanders went out and got him one on draft day. Over the past decade, Lubomir Visnovsky has been one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL. An All-Star back in 2007, Visnovsky spent last season with Anaheim where he got 27 points in 68 games. Shortly after he was traded in June, Lubomir filed a grievance with the NHL to have has trade to the Isles voided. Unfortunately for him, he lost that grievance. There are rumors that he may stay in the KHL this season, but if he does, don't be surprised if he gets the Evgeni Nabokov treatment. If he comes to the Island, the duo of Streit and Visnovsky could be one of the best offensively in the NHL, and they could lead the Islanders power play to the top.
Defense Pairing 2: Travis Hamonic---Andy MacDonald
More question marks with this pairing. Travis Hamonic has been with Bridgeport all season, but he has missed 15 games with an injury. He should be ready to skate next week, and if he is, that would be the best timing. Andy MacDonald has been playing in the Czech league, where he recorded five points ini 21 games. These two have been the best defensive pair for the Isles for the past two seasons. They will be on the Islanders for the next few years, and they are just starting to hit their stride. If healthy, this duo will be on the Island and doing what they've been doing for the past few years.
Defense Pairing 3: Matt Carkner---Matt Donovan
The Islanders signed Matt Carkner to a three year deal before the lockout. Matt Donovan has played in three NHL games. Unlikely pairing? Yes, they are one. After Carkner, the last defenseman spot is open for the taking, and I believe Donovan is going to take it. He should earn an invite to training camp, and work his way onto the roster. He has 17 points in Bridgeport this season, and he has been healthy for the whole season. Carkner is a very physical player, he had 190 penalty minutes a few seasons ago. Carkner, like Eric Boulton, will provide a physical presence the Islanders have lacked over the past few years. Together, the duo of Matts will be the Isles final pair of defensemen, but this is the one that could change very quickly.
Starting Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov
Backup Goalie: Rick DiPietro
Heading into this season, there is absolutely no question who is the starter and who is the backup. DiPietro is starting right bench, so Nabokov will start in goal. If there is one person who can single handedly lead the Islanders, it will be Evgeni Nabokov. He was 19-18-3 last season, ending any goalie controversies on Long Island. If Nabby plays like he did with the Sharks over the past decade, the Isles could be on their way to the playoffs. If I had anything to say about Rick DiPietro, other than a buyout would be a great idea, I would be happy to write it here. Just keep Nabby on the ice, DP on the bench, and I think the Isles should be fine in net this season if they both stay healthy.
I think such players like Nino Niederreiter, Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, Griffen Reinhart, and Aaron Ness will not be on the NHL team to start the season. These combinations are based on what the Isles have now, if they make another move, that's out of my control.
If you are questioning any of these combinations, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. I can't wait for the season to start, and get back to the way things used to be.
Lets Go Islanders!!!
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