Bailey will never sit. He's a CORSI and analytics darling who Cappy and Snow are in love with. As long as he's healthy, he's dressing. Grabner only plays again if someone gets injured.
- Jethro09


Of course he's an advanced stats darling. Advanced stats ignores hits and praises holding the puck too long. Also doesn't separate offensive giveaways from defensive. It's a Baikey gold mine!

No Dehaan again ffs.

Cap said Grabner is healthy and can go if needed, but I can't possibly imagine a scenario where Boulton and Grabner/McDonald is even a remotely better choice than Grabner and McDonald.

Boulton is useless. I look forward to seeing him on the ice for an offensive zone draw when it's a one goal game with under a minute to play.

I think Nielsen is going to be the one that Boulton is playing for.

If he's the only scratch, we'll end up seeing:

86-91-21
12-18-26
27-29-15
17-53-36
- eichiefs9

The major take away here is that Cappy sees inserting Bolton in the lineup as a priority over Grabner

The major take away here is that Cappy sees inserting Bolton in the lineup as a priority over Grabner
- keaner17

I'm more pissed off that dehaan isn't playing. Grabner should step in at some point, but our forwards are overall pretty strong. Defense isn't with hickey and strait both in the lineup and likely playing 20+ mins each.

The major take away here is that Cappy sees inserting Bolton in the lineup as a priority over Grabner
- keaner17

It's absolutely unfathomable. Boulton is worthless piece of trash. He has no discernible skill whatsoever. I don't think Capuano cares about anything other than making the playoffs. Not about home ice, opponent, anything. PIT gave us a golden opportunity to pull ahead here and he is going to prepare for that by plugging a worthless bag of sh!t like Boulton into the lineup.

only thing I can think and i'm not defending him is blue jackets run around like idiots and are very dirty...with that being said its still not great
- Dan Petriw

That they are and they get Boll back tonight but what has Boulton offered this team as far as toughness goes? Its puzzling along with all of his personell decisions. This team was playing their best hockey in yrs till Capuano inserted Strait back in the line up and gave him the minutes he did. Broke up the lines and reassembled them with what looked like a complete disregard for chemistry. This proved true after watching the players struggle for months yet be left with the same lines? IMO theres an obvious connection btn the times he started tinkering with the blue line and ice time and when this team started losing.


In other words inserting Boulton into the line up is a completely "normal" move for Capuano. His reasoning will be something along the lines of "he earned it" just like he said about donovan whatever that means? Guessing maybe they had some good practices or team meetings?

I'm more pissed off that dehaan isn't playing. Grabner should step in at some point, but our forwards are overall pretty strong. Defense isn't with hickey and strait both in the lineup and likely playing 20+ mins each.
- Isles_since_6

Agreed. ..he has to be pissed beyond words

It's absolutely unfathomable. Boulton is worthless piece of trash. He has no discernible skill whatsoever. I don't think Capuano cares about anything other than making the playoffs. Not about home ice, opponent, anything. PIT gave us a golden opportunity to pull ahead here and he is going to prepare for that by plugging a worthless bag of sh!t like Boulton into the lineup.
- eichiefs9

Yep. Its like he really doesnt look at the standings like he always says. His line ups and personnel decisions are moronic but this is nothing new. Will Hickey and Strait get more ice time than two first pairing defenseman we just signed to long term contracts?

It's absolutely unfathomable. Boulton is worthless piece of trash. He has no discernible skill whatsoever. I don't think Capuano cares about anything other than making the playoffs. Not about home ice, opponent, anything. PIT gave us a golden opportunity to pull ahead here and he is going to prepare for that by plugging a worthless bag of sh!t like Boulton into the lineup.
- eichiefs9

Remember two years ago when the Isles scratched Vis to rest him down the stretch and brought Strait back from his injury and the team backed into the playoffs? Pattern. They already said they don't care about home ice. I'd expect a lot of maintenance days from here out

Agreed. ..he has to be pissed beyond words
- keaner17

He didnt sound too happy the first time he got scratched for donovan. Granted dehaan didnt have the best game but are we all really making pretend Strait has been playing better? Has anyone really watched strait play? Hes an abomination out there along with hickey yet leads our blue line in ice time most games lately? Wtf sense does that make?

Remember two years ago when the Isles scratched Vis to rest him down the stretch and brought Strait back from his injury and the team backed into the playoffs? Pattern. They already said they don't care about home ice. I'd expect a lot of maintenance days from here out
- keaner17

They dont care about home ice? Tavares was just quoted as saying itd be a huge advantage.

Remember two years ago when the Isles scratched Vis to rest him down the stretch and brought Strait back from his injury and the team backed into the playoffs? Pattern. They already said they don't care about home ice. I'd expect a lot of maintenance days from here out
- keaner17

Not that I will agree with it even then, but at least wait until we clinched before they start giving guys a day off.

Staple tweeted that Frans said he's good to go and Kennedy is sitting for Boulton.

What happened last game?
- eichiefs9

Didn't Dubinsky and few others take cheap shots and liberties on our team? I believe that's what happened & Martin just came back with his new helmet and couldn't do anything. If I remember that game correctly....???

Didn't Dubinsky and few others take cheap shots and liberties on our team? I believe that's what happened & Martin just came back with his new helmet and couldn't do anything. If I remember that game correctly....???
- Ur Not Me

Maybe, I don't remember.

Frankly, I don't care if Cam Atkinson pulled his pants down and pooped on Tavares' face. I'd still rather see Grabner or McDonald in the lineup over Boulton.

They dont care about home ice? Tavares was just quoted as saying itd be a huge advantage.
- Cptmjl

And I'm betting he'd play Grabner over Bolton too....

And I'm betting he'd play Grabner over Bolton too....
- keaner17

Without a doubt.

Maybe, I don't remember.

Frankly, I don't care if Cam Atkinson pulled his pants down and pooped on Tavares' face. I'd still rather see Grabner or McDonald in the lineup over Boulton.
- eichiefs9

Your skill of imagery is rather unfortunate

Maybe, I don't remember.

Frankly, I don't care if Cam Atkinson pulled his pants down and pooped on Tavares' face. I'd still rather see Grabner or McDonald in the lineup over Boulton.
- eichiefs9

I tend to agree but in all seriousness besides Martin, this team lacks toughness and CLB is a rugged team w/an overrated G. Isles still have enough talent to win the game, so I'm glad that Boulton is in for today only, its the other players who need to step up and score.....!!!!!!!

I can't even get too worked up over these absurd lineup decisions anymore. It's just expected. Anyone who thinks Strait should not only play over deHaan, but get more minutes than Leddy and Boychuk...it's not even worth trying to understand the warped logic.

Maybe, I don't remember.

Frankly, I don't care if Cam Atkinson pulled his pants down and pooped on Tavares' face. I'd still rather see Grabner or McDonald in the lineup over Boulton.
- eichiefs9

Mcdonald? Dont even bring that guy up. Capuano is probably resting that worthless plug for the playoffs. That guy should never put on an islanders sweater again

Your skill of imagery is rather unfortunate
- keaner17

I have a way with words

I tend to agree but in all seriousness besides Martin, this team lacks toughness and CLB is a rugged team w/an overrated G. Isles still have enough talent to win the game, so I'm glad that Boulton is in for today only, its the other players who need to step up and score.....!!!!!!!
- Ur Not Me

Ill say this again. What toughness has Boulton brought to this line up ever?

Mcdonald? Dont even bring that guy up. Capuano is probably resting that worthless plug for the playoffs. That guy should never put on an islanders sweater again
- Cptmjl

I'd be fine with that, but I will take him 34759384753979583989853 times out of 10 over Boulton.

Didn't Dubinsky and few others take cheap shots and liberties on our team? I believe that's what happened & Martin just came back with his new helmet and couldn't do anything. If I remember that game correctly....???
- Ur Not Me

And I'm sure watching Dubinsky and Atkinson skate circles around Boulton while they politely decline to fight him is going to make a world of difference.