The Islanders enjoyed a day off in Montreal yesterday. Had it been coach Scott Gordon they would have been watching video of what went wrong these last few games all day long. But Jack Capuano isn’t Scott Gordon and he has taken on a decidedly easier approach with his team than in the past. Maybe it’s the weight loss.
Even during the worst game in Islanders history, Jack found that silver lining and refused to complain about the play of either of his goaltenders. He DID manage to say things like “they were manhandled” and “soft along the boards” but that would be about as far as his ridicule of his slumping team goes.
Tomorrow is always another day, but with 16 games of 48 already played, and the Isles standing at 6-9-1, the thought of extending the Isles season is looking bleak -- again.
Yesterday Garth Snow told Newsday’s Art Staple “We think this team can win because we’ve all seen how well they can play.” Does he think they can win tonight against a Montreal team that is one of the best defensive teams in the NHL? Of course he does. He believes this team can win on any given night. It’s all a matter of how they respond on the ice.
One way to look at tonight’s game is that the Canadiens have won five in a row. Streaks are made to be broken and the Islanders may just be the team to do it. All they need is a little luck and a few smart moves and they just may get around Price or Budaj, whichever one is in net.
Obviously, Evgeni Nabokov will be back in net for the Isles as he’s had a few days off. This is a must win situation for the Isles, although a loss here does not mean that Jack Capuano will be packing his bags and heading back home to Maine. No, Isles ownership is staying the course on this one and while Lindy Ruff is now available, they will be making no changes at this time.
And so we wait for tonight for the Isles to face Montreal and for The Who to be playing at the Coliseum. I hope they don’t wreck the ice under the stage.
Sideboards: Sunday, March 3rd is Spongebob day at the Coliseum. I love Spongebob. More importantly, the Isles have teamed up with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and will be donating $2 of every ticket sold for the Thursday March 7th game against the Rangers. That will be a very large donation for a very good cause.
Viewing party tonight at Miller’s Ale House in Deer Park, NY. Come hang with other Isles fans and see what tonight brings. You’ve got chances at prizes and fun, but not meeting @DivaDinaT. To meet her, you’ll have to go to the viewing parties at the TGI Fridays. Okay, just go.
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