Eh, I didn't think effort was the issue last night. TB took a step back early this year to drill a new, more defensively responsible system into the team, and now it's clicking. It's a phenomenal team talent-wise, and now they have a system in place that doesn't give you a lot of chances to take advantage of mistakes. That makes them pretty much close to what Washington is, and teams like that can squeeze the life out of you offensively. I think maybe the Isles were a little too hesitant at times trying to figure out how to break through, but I don't think they were mailing it in or anything like that.

Once again, the biggest issue was lack of finish: Beau passing off to Nelson early on when he should have shot, and Lee missing Barzal's tap-in finish come immediately to mind. There were more, but in a game that close, that's what it comes down to...one or two missed opportunities. By contrast, Tampa finished off its first real good scoring chance, and that changed the tone of the game. Their second goal, yeah, that was a ridiculous breakdown in coverage. Could have used a big stop there, but they're not getting those lately.
- UIF

Isles will have trouble with teams that really clamp things down. We saw it against the Canes in the 2nd round. Even if the effort is good, the lack of finish is a big issue for the Isles. The Isles leave themselves very little room for error even if the Isles are playing well defensively.

Meh I don’t agree. They stopped skating for long stretches and pretty much the entire third minus the last couple of mins. They were listless with even Butch seeing/saying it through his alcohol induced haze. Giving up puck possession on unforced plays I don’t attribute to the opposing teams defense.
- Cptmjl

Butch says they're playing great and then bad in the span of 30 seconds sometimes

He’s going to play defense.
- Cptmjl

Again it's not hard to look at a teams weaknesses and come up with a rumor that fits.

Butch says they're playing great and then bad in the span of 30 seconds sometimes
- UIF

😂

This is true but I agree with that 30 seconds where he said they stopped skating.😂

All kidding aside all I saw was them not winning battles and not even engaging at all for long stretches. Anything I’ve read has pretty much agreed with that sentiment so you’re obviously wrong😂😂😂jk😉

Isles will have trouble with teams that really clamp things down. We saw it against the Canes in the 2nd round. Even if the effort is good, the lack of finish is a big issue for the Isles. The Isles leave themselves very little room for error even if the Isles are playing well defensively.
- ses111

They continue playing like this we won’t have to worry about how they may play against a particular team in the playoffs. They won’t make it in.

They continue playing like this we won’t have to worry about how they may play against a particular team in the playoffs. They won’t make it in.
- Cptmjl

Hard to believe the playoffs could be in doubt after the long point streak earlier in the year. It's going to be a challenge the rest of the way.

Hard to believe the playoffs could be in doubt after the long point streak earlier in the year. It's going to be a challenge the rest of the way.
- ses111

The whole division is doing well except the Devils and Rangers. There is no separation.

The whole division is doing well except the Devils and Rangers. There is no separation.
- JimmyP

I still hate these 3 point games.

I still hate these 3 point games.
- ses111

I agree. The league loves them because they keep the standings tight.

I agree. The league loves them because they keep the standings tight.
- JimmyP

It does. I think it also gives some teams an inflated view of themselves as well.

Remember how good the Rags and Devils got and how shatty the BJ’s and the Penguins would be

I still hate these 3 point games.
- ses111

I’m with you Ses. If the games are tied each team should get a point. For a win 3 points, and a loss no points. The whole overtime 3on 3 (which isn’t even hockey as it was intended to be played) shootout is garbage. As you said the 3 point game and loser points are crap. Totally lessens the importance of a win.

I’m with you Ses. If the games are tied each team should get a point. For a win 3 points, and a loss no points. The whole overtime 3on 3 (which isn’t even hockey as it was intended to be played) shootout is garbage. As you said the 3 point game and loser points are crap. Totally lessens the importance of a win.
- nyisles7

Yep! Hockey needs to wise up and make these changes. NHL added a Cap which helps to even things out. No need for 3 point games and the dopey OT system.

Remember how good the Rags and Devils got and how shatty the BJ’s and the Penguins would be
- nyisles7

How could anyone possibly forget with you constantly, repeating yourself ad nauseam?

How could anyone possibly forget with you constantly, repeating yourself ad nauseam?
- Cptmjl

I see we've mysteriously dropped the Flyers from the "I told you so" posts, though.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think either side really won that offseason debate. Sure, the Rangers and Devils aren't Metro powerhouses, so that was obviously off. But the main point of that argument -- that the Isles needed to improve because the division and conference would be more competitive -- was right. The Isles have an identical record as last year after 53 games, but they're not in as comfortable of a position in the standings... ... ...because it's tougher this year since the teams around them are better. The fact that it's not specifically the Rangers and Devils knocking on their door won't really be any kind of consolation if the Isles find themselves hanging on by a fingernail down the stretch here.

It does. I think it also gives some teams an inflated view of themselves as well.
- ses111

It also means less sellers at the deadline. It's a hard for a GM to trade away good players for assets if it looks like they still have a shot at the playoffs. They don't want to be seen as giving up even if the playoffs are unlikely.

I see we've mysteriously dropped the Flyers from the "I told you so" posts, though.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think either side really won that offseason debate. Sure, the Rangers and Devils aren't Metro powerhouses, so that was obviously off. But the main point of that argument -- that the Isles needed to improve because the division and conference would be more competitive -- was right. The Isles have an identical record as last year after 53 games, but they're not in as comfortable of a position in the standings... ... ...because it's tougher this year since the teams around them are better. The fact that it's not specifically the Rangers and Devils knocking on their door won't really be any kind of consolation if the Isles find themselves hanging on by a fingernail down the stretch here.
- UIF

At least the Isles have some games in hand on the teams around them.

How could anyone possibly forget with you constantly, repeating yourself ad nauseam?
- Cptmjl

Look who’s talking?

At least the Isles have some games in hand on the teams around them.
- JimmyP

Oh yeah, I'm confident in the Isles and that they can ultimately play better hockey down the stretch than some of the teams around them. I'm just saying it's undeniably more competitive this season than last.

I see we've mysteriously dropped the Flyers from the "I told you so" posts, though.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think either side really won that offseason debate. Sure, the Rangers and Devils aren't Metro powerhouses, so that was obviously off. But the main point of that argument -- that the Isles needed to improve because the division and conference would be more competitive -- was right. The Isles have an identical record as last year after 53 games, but they're not in as comfortable of a position in the standings... ... ...because it's tougher this year since the teams around them are better. The fact that it's not specifically the Rangers and Devils knocking on their door won't really be any kind of consolation if the Isles find themselves hanging on by a fingernail down the stretch here.
- UIF

I don’t remember where the Flyers were in the Metro equation or I would have included them.

The Metro is very competitive but honestly the same teams are carrying the PO positions for the most part not the ones that made significant changes that we read about on here daily over the off season.

I guess when I point the BS spewed on here ( not saying by you)once and a while it stings

I think the Islanders will be in the POs.

I don’t remember where the Flyers were in the Metro equation or I would have included them.

The Metro is very competitive but honestly the same teams are carrying the PO positions for the most part not the ones that made significant changes that we read about on here daily over the off season.

I guess when I point the BS spewed on here ( not saying by you)once and a while it stings

I think the Islanders will be in the POs.
- nyisles7

Ah, I take issue with that...I spew plenty of BS here

It also means less sellers at the deadline. It's a hard for a GM to trade away good players for assets if it looks like they still have a shot at the playoffs. They don't want to be seen as giving up even if the playoffs are unlikely.
- JimmyP

Yep! This dopey system effects so many things.

Ah, I take issue with that...I spew plenty of BS here
- UIF

Admit nothing.

Oh yeah, I'm confident in the Isles and that they can ultimately play better hockey down the stretch than some of the teams around them. I'm just saying it's undeniably more competitive this season than last.
- UIF

Yeah, it's tight. The Isles need to go 16-13 down the stretch to hit 100 points. That should be enough and is certainly doable. It probably won't get them home ice.

Columbus Blue Jackets @BlueJacketsNHL
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- D Seth Jones on IR (out indefinitely)
- F Liam Foudy added on emergency recall
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