We’re currently 23-10 BUT, the rangers are 10pts back with games in hand, the caps are getting closer and have a game in hand as well and the wild card teams aren’t that far behind either. A 5-6 game losing streak and we could easily drop out of a playoff position. We’ve had a great start to the year and the team looks good, but Johnson’s play, strait and the health of our defense are all concerning factors. If we lose a couple of defensemen again and/or Halak, we could be in an awful lot of trouble. I’m thrilled with the team overall this year, and I hope we stay healthy and Johnson can start playing at least at an NHL level.
- Isles_since_6

Eight points back with two games in hand.

Eight points back with two games in hand.
- MidnightMarauder

Get out of here with your "facts" and "the truth".

Get out of here with your "facts" and "the truth".
- eichiefs9

End of the day, you're still looking up...

Big Game tonight. Hope Halak has a great performance against habs.
4 goals on Price will be nice too.

Get out of here with your "facts" and "the truth".
- eichiefs9

Hahaha

End of the day, you're still looking up...
- brodydog29

Yes they are but all things being equal, and let's say the Rangers win tonight and the Isles lose, that's six points back with two games in hand. Again, the Rangers will still be trailing but the gap is closer than some of you will like to admit and there is still a long way to go with some head to head encounters coming up.

Not discrediting the Islanders but things could get interesting if the Rangers take advantage of their games in hand.

Amac is not a top pairing Dman, we/or I have seen him play here for many years and would have a better idea than u, but if u think that a Dman plays top 4 mins means he's automatically a top 4 Dman, than that's how u evaluate Dman bc I don't. Its all based on depth of team D. Trust me Amac is not a top 4 Dman regardless of how many mins he plays, that's on Philly now (most couldn't wait to get rid of him and our D sucked) should tell u something....
Again on Shultz, bc the whole team D is horrible I really cant gage what he is yet, bc u could agree the team is a mess......

And yes Klein is better suited as a 3rd pairing Dman, that's why the Rags went after Boyle after losing Stralman. The reason I didnt mention Boyle before was bc I 4got about him plus has been injured for most of the beginning part of season where Klein has taken his spot mostly.... So not being hypocritical on anything but it seems like Klein is a good Dman in a system, Trotz & AV....

Here's another, Leddy, was basically a 5/6 on CHI bc there depth and top 4 is awesome. Most CHI fans thought he just lacked the D-part mostly, but if u watch isles games, he's been a real surprised and solid. Isles lacked D and traded for a top 4, are u getting it now???
- Ur Not Me

are you just arguing? this is exactly what he said...

Yes they are but all things being equal, and let's say the Rangers win tonight and the Isles lose, that's six points back with two games in hand. Again, the Rangers will still be trailing but the gap is closer than some of you will like to admit and there is still a long way to go with some head to head encounters coming up.

Not discrediting the Islanders but things could get interesting if the Rangers take advantage of their games in hand.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm looking forward to those head to head games. They're always good, but with both teams being competitive, they are going to be fun to watch.

Yes they are but all things being equal, and let's say the Rangers win tonight and the Isles lose, that's six points back with two games in hand. Again, the Rangers will still be trailing but the gap is closer than some of you will like to admit and there is still a long way to go with some head to head encounters coming up.

Not discrediting the Islanders but things could get interesting if the Rangers take advantage of their games in hand.
- MidnightMarauder

Games in hand don't really mean all that much if the team in front of you is winning which we are. If there were some injuries it'd be more of a concern. As far as the bold goes I don't think any of us are having a hard time admitting anything?

I'm looking forward to those head to head games. They're always good, but with both teams being competitive, they are going to be fun to watch.
- David_Volek

As surprising as this is, coming from a Rangers fan, I actually like it when the Islanders and Rangers are both competitive.

I was too young to follow the NHL during the Islanders dynasty days. I didn't experience the torment, that was being a Rangers fan, when the Islanders were the best team in the NHL. When I became a fan, around 1990, the Islanders were on the decline. Aside from their incredible 1993 conference final run, the Islanders have steadily been a disaster. I know they were a playoff team, from 2001-2004, running concurrently with the Rangers disgrace on ice playoff drought teams, but I never felt the utter hatred for the Islanders as I do for NJ, Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.

I know, by NY NHL hockey fan law, you are not supposed to enjoy seeing the team you don't root for do well, but I love seeing the Rangers and Islanders be good at the same time. It makes the rivalry fun and meaningful.

Games in hand don't really mean all that much if the team in front of you is winning which we are. If there were some injuries it'd be more of a concern. As far as the bold goes I don't think any of us are having a hard time admitting anything?
- Cptmjl

I indicated some not most or all. I rarely have any issues with this group.

And you are right, the Islanders are not slumping by any means, but all things equal the Rangers are right at the Islanders front door if trends continue.

Yes they are but all things being equal, and let's say the Rangers win tonight and the Isles lose, that's six points back with two games in hand. Again, the Rangers will still be trailing but the gap is closer than some of you will like to admit and there is still a long way to go with some head to head encounters coming up.

Not discrediting the Islanders but things could get interesting if the Rangers take advantage of their games in hand.
- MidnightMarauder

Admit what? Plus its December and a still have a long way to go. Nobody is expecting the isles to run away from the pact. It's gonna be a battle the rest of the way.

Admit what? Plus its December and a still have a long way to go. Nobody is expecting the isles to run away from the pact. It's gonna be a battle the rest of the way.
- Vukota

Exactly, I'm pretty sure most of us here before the season were saying that the Pens, Rags and Isles were gonna be top 3 in the Metro... It's gonna be one hell of a battle and it's gonna be fun to watch.

I indicated some not most or all. I rarely have any issues with this group.

And you are right, the Islanders are not slumping by any means, but all things equal the Rangers are right at the Islanders front door if trends continue.
- MidnightMarauder

The thing is I dont even remember this being a topic so I dont understand who is having trouble admitting?

Also. What trend continuing? Us winning and you winning? That doesnt help you gain any ground on us. Having a hard time understanding this?

Admit what? Plus its December and a still have a long way to go. Nobody is expecting the isles to run away from the pact. It's gonna be a battle the rest of the way.
- Vukota

His wording is a bit off

Uh oh...looks like the Isles will need 5-6 goals to pull out a victory tonight.

New York Islanders ‏@NYIslanders 2m2 minutes ago
Capuano: Johnson in goal. Another maintenance day for Halak. No other lineup changes for the #Isles tonight from Saturday's win.

Uh oh...looks like the Isles will need 5-6 goals to pull out a victory tonight.

New York Islanders ‏@NYIslanders 2m2 minutes ago
Capuano: Johnson in goal. Another maintenance day for Halak. No other lineup changes for the #Isles tonight from Saturday's win.
- UIF

maintenance day my arse. He must be hurt or something

maintenance day my arse. He must be hurt or something
- Vukota

Yep. No way they play this pile of shat tonight over him for a maintenance day. Its like those ranger fans knew about this bfr us?

maintenance day my arse. He must be hurt or something
- Vukota

Exactly what I was thinking... if he is hurt I am going to be pretty unhappy with our coach playing him in back to backs...need him to be healthy more than any other player on this team.

Exactly what I was thinking... if he is hurt I am going to be pretty unhappy with our coach playing him in back to backs...need him to be healthy more than any other player on this team.
- niteislander

Of course im not wishing injury on halak but he bettee be hurt. Theres no reason to play johnson with a huge game like this tonight and hes had two days off when we have a four day break following. If he craps the bed tonight its time for a change imo.

thanks Capuano for being dumb and playing halak in back to back nights.

now halak is hurt and we have 4 goal Johnson in net against Montreal. SO basically we need to score 5 goals to have chance to win tonight.

thanks Capuano for being dumb and playing halak in back to back nights.

now halak is hurt and we have 4 goal Johnson in net against Montreal. SO basically we need to score 5 goals to have chance to win tonight.
- Spartiarti

Come on. Settle down. If halak got hurt from playing a back to back we are in a helluva alot of trouble and its not bcs of capuano (though he sucks). Its bcs halak is pretty mich useless if thats all it takes.

maintenance day my arse. He must be hurt or something
- Vukota

Cappy is a worse liar than he is a coach. It's a pact

Come on. Settle down. If halak got hurt from playing a back to back we are in a helluva alot of trouble and its not bcs of capuano (though he sucks). Its bcs halak is pretty mich useless if thats all it takes.
- Cptmjl

If you do play hockey, most injuries like strains, pulls etc occur as a result of Fatigue. Why play Halak back to back if you could have played Johnson instead one of those nights.

Why have a back up if you not going to use him. Johnson already has no confidence, so you wait to put him in again a big game like Montreal instead of playing him again Tampa back up?

thanks Capuano for being dumb and playing halak in back to back nights.

now halak is hurt and we have 4 goal Johnson in net against Montreal. SO basically we need to score 5 goals to have chance to win tonight.
- Spartiarti

dumb ass who played two games in a row that they won and he was barely tested in either... COME ON... look at this team's record..cappy has zero chance with this fanbase...they could win the god damn cup and lose the home opener and people will call for his head.