The pre-season is winding down – finally. This NHL training season has seemed longer than usual with more exhibition games and less news of team bonding filtering out of the camps. (Although I did love reading that quote from Ron Wilson last night regarding a Leafs paint ball outing, “I may get shot more than Jason Blake.” Hmmmm, bonding or revenge?)
MSG Plus has been airing their Islanders Preview show hosted by Bill Jaffe and Butch Goring. This year’s ½ hour Islanders’ preview show seemed a little drier than most, with the exception of Goring sounding like he was trying to sell high speed blenders.
But while the NHL’s new season opens in Europe, the NY Islanders stay close to home. They will play two games this week, a pre-season re-match with the NJ Devils on Tuesday and their home opener on Saturday against the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins.
While at practice, I asked a few of the Islanders what their thoughts on the Devils rematch and the upcoming home opener. Everyone was on the same page.
Q: Considering how chippy the September 23rd Isles vs. Devils match-up was, what are your thoughts about Tuesday’s game?
Tim Jackman: “I think the intensity will pick up. It’s the last exhibition game for the Islanders before the regular season starts, so sometimes when that happens, the chippyness follows. It could just be a good, hard hockey game.”
I’m just wondering if it will turn into the slugfest it was that Wednesday, or an exhibition of scoring skill.
Jon Sim: "I think it’s just the regular rivalry, you know? Chippyness or not, that’s just the division we’re in. It happens. It’s just the game. Guys are trying to earn spots, it’s a divisional game. We’ve seen a lot of them in the past. We know a lot of the guys there and they know a lot of us.”
I take it familiarity breeds contempt there Jon.
Scott Allen: "It’s our last opportunity to prepare for October 3rd and beyond, so in that sense we hold more importance to that game. Hopefully we can iron out some kinks and stay on the right path, stay prepared for the big opening night and the rest of the season.”
And probably the last time we’ll see some of the players before they get voted off the Island. One for sure that will be heading out is very impressive Calvin deHaan. I caught up with him for a few seconds, but he was just as unsure about his fate as anyone else is and reluctant to discuss it.
Well, while we don’t have any Islanders hockey today, we do have the return of NHL Live on the NHL Network from Noon – 2 pm.
YES!!! The season is starting!
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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