Honestly, all your posts hating on the isles is embarrassing. At some point maybe you might want to watch a few games to see what they are about? The game, despite what you believe, isn’t played on a piece of paper. It’s played on the ice. Your condescending writing really doesn’t hold water when you look at the fact they have done this for about 100 games now. Yes, they were very lucky to win 10 in a row. As you said, even the best of teams rarely do that. At some point however, you need to watch a few games to see what they are about. Your writing is getting tired and the fact that you have stated you will not change your opinion because of the numbers shows how little you actually understand the game being played on the ice.
Signed, an islander fan and former college hockey player who understands the game
- TB4LIH

You are wasting your time pal. He doesn't understand the game. He thinks Lou is the worst GM in the NHL so watching him succeed is killing his argument. As a former college player, perhaps you could share your experience with coaching? Tanner thinks coaching is overrated. The difference between the best and worst coach in the NHL might lead to a handful of wins over 82 games. Agree with that? Or can a coach inspire every guy in the room to sacrifice for each other, give that extra 1% that often is the difference between winning and losing. Thoughts?

But it's not just corsi numbers, there are so many other things that make their success unexplained. That said, I think if people just want to ignore all that stuff and enjoy the ride, nothing wrong with that.
- James_Tanner

If it's not just about Corsi, then why is it the primary stat you use in your blogs? If there are other things, enlighten us! People don't want to ignore that stuff for the most part. Most informed fans slot it properly. They also know although it give usable information, Corsi is a mediocre stat at best.

You are wasting your time pal. He doesn't understand the game. He thinks Lou is the worst GM in the NHL so watching him succeed is killing his argument. As a former college player, perhaps you could share your experience with coaching? Tanner thinks coaching is overrated. The difference between the best and worst coach in the NHL might lead to a handful of wins over 82 games. Agree with that? Or can a coach inspire every guy in the room to sacrifice for each other, give that extra 1% that often is the difference between winning and losing. Thoughts?
- uofcguy

Honesty, I didn’t realize coaching could do this much, but apparently it can. Tanners argument doesn’t hold up also because the isles obviously lost a lot of talent when JT walked away, yet the team has been significantly better since, with the only difference being maturation of younger players and coaching. I played for Tom Carroll at New England College for 2 years before transferring out, so tough for me to speak about coaching changes.

I don't take it as a settle debate, and I'm also completely open to the fact that both teams could make the playoffs.

But let's put a few things in perspective.

No one wins ten in a row without mad lucky breaks. Even the best team of all time should lose a minimum of 3 out of ten.

- they don't have a very good roster

- career back up goalie posting insane stats

- there is no history of any any goalie doing .940 - Hasek's two best years were 932 and .937 in two of the lowest scoring years on recent record.

- They aren't the NHL's second best team.

So lots of weird stuff is happening, and history tells us it won't last forever. The Islanders are more than likely closer to their Corsi rating than their save percentage, but time will tell.
- James_Tanner

In the last 5+ seasons (since 2014/2015) Islanders has a Point% of .591 or 97 points per season. They are the 9th best team in that timeframe. I think it's fair to say that you and most others underestimate their roster. They had one bad season and everyone assumes that's their true quality.
I love Barry Trotz and everything he has done with this team, but he didn't turn a bottom team into a 100+ point team. He took an average or slightly above average team and made them better.

My point is that NYI were bad for so long that no one realizes they've actually been a good team for while now. Even Islanders fans underestimated the team because of that awful 2017/2018 season. Doug Weight is probably one of the worst NHL coaches of all time.
The 8 teams with more points than the Islanders since 2014/2015 are: Washington, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Boston, Anaheim and San Jose.

If he keeps saying the Islanders luck will run out and they will start to lose , he will eventually be right, and tell us all that he was. Lets just hope, as Islanders fans, this goes on for several more years.

While I admit a 96 game sample size is getting quite big, I also don't believe the probability that this could just be an unusually long lucky streak is zero.

I don't really care whether I turn out to be right or wrong, but I would not bet on this continuing.

Greiss can still be a good goalie and not the best goalie of all time. I just don't think it's likely that the Islanders - and to a lesser extent the Coyotes, who I clearly cheer for - can maintain this.

I suppose it is possible, I just thin it's highly unlikely.

Take the game against the Leafs on Tuesday - the Islander went 15 minutes without a shot, and the Leafs PP has been brutal (and was that game too) and Andersen let in several weak goals.

Even accounting for your theory, they still only won because the Leafs beat themselves. Not saying that is going to be the case in every game they play, but we do know that goalies don't typically save 94% of shots over any kind of extended sample .
- James_Tanner

Well there's some BS right there

So after 96 games you still think Greiss might just be on a lucky streak. Maybe after 196 games you might admit that he's a good goalie playing in front of an excellent defensive team.

Meanwhile, after like 11 games you label Kakko the biggest disappointment in the NHL. People laugh. Then Kakko starts lighting it up.
#samplesize
#Meltzer moment

I am the author!
- James_Tanner

I second the motion you are a D I C K, actually S M A L L D I C K

Ho hum. Leafs lost again. But I'm sure the greatest team ever assembled in the cap era had a good Corsi.

I second the motion you are a D I C K, actually S M A L L D I C K

- FlamesFan1230

Nice finishing touch

Ho hum. Leafs lost again. But I'm sure the greatest team ever assembled in the cap era had a good Corsi.
- uofcguy

I heard that the Corsi rating is the 47th tiebreaker to determine playoff seeding right before which teams nachos cheese tastes better

So after 96 games you still think Greiss might just be on a lucky streak. Maybe after 196 games you might admit that he's a good goalie playing in front of an excellent defensive team.

Meanwhile, after like 11 games you label Kakko the biggest disappointment in the NHL. People laugh. Then Kakko starts lighting it up.
#samplesize
#Meltzer moment
- uofcguy

I forgot about the kakko comments, what a douche

I heard that the Corsi rating is the 47th tiebreaker to determine playoff seeding right before which teams nachos cheese tastes better
- Tedge77

Maybe all the non-playoff teams (ie Leafs, apparently NYI when their luck runs out) can compete for a Corsi Cup. So if you are bored of the Stanley Cup playoffs you can switch to the Leafs making lots of shot attempts.

I forgot about the kakko comments, what a douche
- Upstate_isles

Industrial strength

I don't take it as a settle debate, and I'm also completely open to the fact that both teams could make the playoffs.

But let's put a few things in perspective.

No one wins ten in a row without mad lucky breaks. Even the best team of all time should lose a minimum of 3 out of ten.

- they don't have a very good roster

- career back up goalie posting insane stats

- there is no history of any any goalie doing .940 - Hasek's two best years were 932 and .937 in two of the lowest scoring years on recent record.

- They aren't the NHL's second best team.

So lots of weird stuff is happening, and history tells us it won't last forever. The Islanders are more than likely closer to their Corsi rating than their save percentage, but time will tell.
- James_Tanner

Here's what your numbers don't track. Did you see the NYI/TOR game the other night? Did you see the NYI goals by Barzal and Brassard? They were both one-timers off cross-ice passes in the area between the circles, and the TOR goalie had no chance on either one. The Isles' system basically doesn't give up those shots. They limit lateral movement of opposing players and/or the puck in the area between the circles. The current analysis doesn't track that. That's it. You're welcome.

As a result, their possession numbers aren't great because they allow the other team the perimeter on defense, and on offense they focus on creating the super high danger lateral chances rather than just keeping possession (they don't care about time of possession but only the shots that result). Their goalie stats are great because they allow quantity of shots where their goalies are set (comfortable) for the shots, but they limit the quality of shots where their goalie is making dramatic lateral movements and is not set for shots.

Their roster is better than you think (albeit mostly workers filling their roles and not a ton of flash), and it's also comprised of personalities who buy into their coach's system.

If you get this and adjust your thinking, remain humble and remember you were taught something by... an Islanders fan.

Here's what your numbers don't track. Did you see the NYI/TOR game the other night? Did you see the NYI goals by Barzal and Brassard? They were both one-timers off cross-ice passes in the area between the circles, and the TOR goalie had no chance on either one. The Isles' system basically doesn't give up those shots. They limit lateral movement of opposing players and/or the puck in the area between the circles. The current analysis doesn't track that. That's it. You're welcome.

As a result, their possession numbers aren't great because they allow the other team the perimeter on defense, and on offense they focus on creating the super high danger lateral chances rather than just keeping possession (they don't care about time of possession but only the shots that result). Their goalie stats are great because they allow quantity of shots where their goalies are set (comfortable) for the shots, but they limit the quality of shots where their goalie is making dramatic lateral movements and is not set for shots.

Their roster is better than you think (albeit mostly workers filling their roles and not a ton of flash), and it's also comprised of personalities who buy into their coach's system.

If you get this and adjust your thinking, remain humble and remember you were taught something by... an Islanders fan.
- doublechili

Wow, actual analysis. You actually watch the game! That's so old school!


Tanner doesn't actually know the game of hockey. His dream was that he was going to use the "new" analytics to become a cutting edge hockey analyst who was going to teach everyone what the game is really about! Corsi! His dream was crushed. There is an entire community of so called hockey analysts who don't watch games but look at spreadsheets and use mediocre at best stats to think that they actually know the game and can analyze games, players and coaches. I wish Tanner and others could sit down with NHL coaches, Tanner with Trotz and have him show Tanner how much he doesn't know.

Here's what your numbers don't track. Did you see the NYI/TOR game the other night? Did you see the NYI goals by Barzal and Brassard? They were both one-timers off cross-ice passes in the area between the circles, and the TOR goalie had no chance on either one. The Isles' system basically doesn't give up those shots. They limit lateral movement of opposing players and/or the puck in the area between the circles. The current analysis doesn't track that. That's it. You're welcome.

As a result, their possession numbers aren't great because they allow the other team the perimeter on defense, and on offense they focus on creating the super high danger lateral chances rather than just keeping possession (they don't care about time of possession but only the shots that result). Their goalie stats are great because they allow quantity of shots where their goalies are set (comfortable) for the shots, but they limit the quality of shots where their goalie is making dramatic lateral movements and is not set for shots.

Their roster is better than you think (albeit mostly workers filling their roles and not a ton of flash), and it's also comprised of personalities who buy into their coach's system.

If you get this and adjust your thinking, remain humble and remember you were taught something by... an Islanders fan.
- doublechili

Wasting your time. A few of us have already tried explaining that NYI is a well-coached, disciplined team, that limits odd-man rushes and quality scoring chances. They give up a lot of routine shots, which makes life easier for their goalies. Hence the appearance of incredible SV%. But he thinks there is one and only way to win hockey games...possession and shot attempts. It's highly likely he hasn't played the sport competitively.

This posted from someone who routinely insults those personally who disagree with him.
- MJL

I only insult people who I feel are being idiots. And if I insult anyone, it's usually because they've crossed a line with me that I consider makes them open for insults. I've never just randomly insulted a person for disagreeing with me, I only insult someone if that person was a complete ass first.

Also, insulting people isn't even what I'm talking about.

If I write something and a person says F you Tanner you dud, that doesn't bug me. What does drive me nuts is when a person pretends that the only reason someone would disagree with them is because they're a'hater' or biased in some way.

It's cult-talk is what it is. It's people not formulating arguments and instead pretending that they don't have to.

Maybe all the non-playoff teams (ie Leafs, apparently NYI when their luck runs out) can compete for a Corsi Cup. So if you are bored of the Stanley Cup playoffs you can switch to the Leafs making lots of shot attempts.
- uofcguy

I love when people mention the "Corsi Cup" its the NHL equivilent of old people pretending their confused by the "interwebs" and twice as lame.

Gramps, I find it hilarious how much you care about what I think and how much time you waste complaining and making posts. I generally prefer to rent, but baby, I own you and it is hilarious.

Please keep memorizing everything I say, even though I don't. Hilarious.

I only insult people who I feel are being idiots. And if I insult anyone, it's usually because they've crossed a line with me that I consider makes them open for insults. I've never just randomly insulted a person for disagreeing with me, I only insult someone if that person was a complete ass first.

Also, insulting people isn't even what I'm talking about.

If I write something and a person says F you Tanner you dud, that doesn't bug me. What does drive me nuts is when a person pretends that the only reason someone would disagree with them is because they're a'hater' or biased in some way.

It's cult-talk is what it is. It's people not formulating arguments and instead pretending that they don't have to.
- James_Tanner

You can put any ridiculous condition on it that you want. I myself routinely poke holes in your analysis without commenting on you personally. You've responded to that multiple times with personal comments towards me. The other day you called out someone for their political beliefs as if that has any relevance.

Commenting on people personally is your M.O. Deny it all you want. Won't change the facts.

Leafs lose yet again, and they think it's Babs problem. There GM Dumbass is a great armchair guy but he is leading this team to lottery land. Unitl Matthews and Nylander buy into a actual system this team is mediocre and no chance of winning a cup let alone a playoff series.
Islanders for most part are not must-see hockey, but the team buy-in and quality defence is second to none. Barzal is better and does get it, from his first shift when he stepped out of the pentilty box only to join the play illegally and get another pentilty to now is unreal. Back in the day if Trotz had a Ovie or Barzal type on those Nashville teams he coached they could of done damage. He surrounds himself with the right assistants and gets results. Arbour and Bowman level of tactics and getting a team buy-in. The Matthews and Laines they do not get it, over time maybe. Dang Steve Y for his first few years was exactly that type of player.
- Leo_Union

I love when people mention the "Corsi Cup" its the NHL equivilent of old people pretending their confused by the "interwebs" and twice as lame.

Gramps, I find it hilarious how much you care about what I think and how much time you waste complaining and making posts. I generally prefer to rent, but baby, I own you and it is hilarious.

Please keep memorizing everything I say, even though I don't. Hilarious.
- James_Tanner

How ironic. Corsi, which is the stat that you refer to in almost every blog you write is old and antiquated. So old and antiquated that it's not used by NHL teams.

I'll await your personal insult in reply.

I love when people mention the "Corsi Cup" its the NHL equivilent of old people pretending their confused by the "interwebs" and twice as lame.

Gramps, I find it hilarious how much you care about what I think and how much time you waste complaining and making posts. I generally prefer to rent, but baby, I own you and it is hilarious.

Please keep memorizing everything I say, even though I don't. Hilarious.
- James_Tanner

Actually, Bill Meltzer owns you. In your own blog.

Actually, Bill Meltzer owns you. In your own blog.
- uofcguy

That's the best you can do? Refer to the time that a bunch of people whose opinions I don't respect who are obviously biased against me pretended that Bill somehow insulted me with his well meaning but incorrect take on the Flyers GM situation? Good one dude. You're as bad as MLJ only possibly even more intellectually incapacitated.

That's the best you can do? Refer to the time that a bunch of people whose opinions I don't respect who are obviously biased against me pretended that Bill somehow insulted me with his well meaning but incorrect take on the Flyers GM situation? Good one dude. You're as bad as MLJ only possibly even more intellectually incapacitated.
- James_Tanner

Here are the facts. What was clear after that interaction between you and Bill was that you had no clue what you were talking about. You should look up to Bill and strive to be as good at your job as a hockey blogger as he is and as knowledgeable as he is.

Denial and creating your own reality is not going to do you any favors.