And your other scoring line and 2 shutdown lines?
- nyisles7

lol As if I haven't already given you enough to criticize for a few days.

I take it you would leave everything just as it was while the Isles were diving out of playoff contention.

lol As if I haven't already given you enough to criticize for a few days.

I take it you would leave everything just as it was while the Isles were diving out of playoff contention.
- Puckin_Island

Don’t worry Puckin, I got you.

lol As if I haven't already given you enough to criticize for a few days.

I take it you would leave everything just as it was while the Isles were diving out of playoff contention.
- Puckin_Island

No criticism, everyone has their opinions. Just don’t quit your day job

My thought is you have the whole team healthy here (especially with Pelech on the back line) and have had success with certain line combos so why not start the series that way? Again defense wins championships imho and in the POs you need to be able to roll 4 lines so yes I would start out with the same lines as before. If they crap the bed then you have to go to the blender.

Don’t worry Puckin, I got you.
- Wildschwein

No worries, but thanks. Do you think Trotz needs to shake up the lines and inject new talent to get the offense going? Look for more scoring chemistry.

No criticism, everyone has their opinions. Just don’t quit your day job

My thought is you have the whole team healthy here (especially with Pelech on the back line) and have had success with certain line combos so why not start the series that way? Again defense wins championships imho and in the POs you need to be able to roll 4 lines so yes I would start out with the same lines as before. If they crap the bed then you have to go to the blender.
- nyisles7

I take it you didn't watch the last 12 regular season games.


A balance of defense and scoring wins series. Watch the Carolina series and you'll see that defense without scoring gets you beat. 1 goal in the first 2 games, then the defense mostly fell apart while they pressed to try and score.

I predict much the same if trotz doesn't focus more on scoring.

Who starts game 1, Varlamov or Griess?

Tito-JG-Barzal
Lee-Nelson-Eberle
Ladd-Cizikas-Bailey
Johnston-Bardreau-Clutterbuck

Maybe this is sorta what he’s imagining?
- Wildschwein

Instead of:

Lee Barzal Ebs
Tito Nelson Bailey
Ladd JGP Komorov Johnston
MM Casey Cal

Me thinks this is better to start with

Who starts game 1, Varlamov or Griess?
- Ratsreign

Whoever has the most success against Fla. I think that's Griess. Go game to game after that.

I take it you didn't watch the last 12 regular season games.

- Puckin_Island

I did with some key injuries the team struggled, especially in there own zone. Having Pelech back is huge.

Time will tell who Trotz goes with and if it is effective. It has been in the past and no reason it won’t be now as long as they play their game.

Instead of:

Lee Barzal Ebs
Tito Nelson Bailey
Ladd JGP Komorov Johnston
MM Casey Cal

Me thinks this is better to start with
- nyisles7

lol

lol
- Puckin_Island

You can also throw Otto or Bellows on that 3rd line. That’s the question mark in the line up in my opinion.

Tito-JG-Barzal
Lee-Nelson-Eberle
Ladd-Cizikas-Bailey
Johnston-Bardreau-Clutterbuck

Maybe this is sorta what he’s imagining?
- Wildschwein

I guess Beau is Tito? Never heard him called that, but I like the first line.




I have tought Nel and Ebs would be good for Lee's deflections. Both those guys have accurate wristers and could hit Lees blade quite often. Lee has mentioned the lack of guys shooting at his deflection target as a reason for his lower totals.

But the main thing in my opinion is getting a line that is scoring regularly. That pulls defense away from other lines, and that could open things up for lines 2-4. There are plenty of guys to rotate into 3 and 4, younger guys who already have some experience.

I did with some key injuries the team struggled, especially in there own zone. Having Pelech back is huge.

Time will tell who Trotz goes with and if it is effective. It has been in the past and no reason it won’t be now as long as they play their game.
- nyisles7

22 goals in 13 games. Their GAA didn't go up much. 8 games scoring 2 or less, with 3 shutouts. They struggled alright, especially in the offensive zone. I guess Cizikas is the key to the entire offense?

The way I saw it, teams were playing tighter, playoff type hockey, and the Islanders couldn't score.

Losing to the panthers is the best option if they win the lotto, would give them a franchise player and in their cap fell it would be huge. Add to that a new arena and they will be a destination franchise
- Upstate_isles

Do they get a chance in the lottery even if they don't have a first round pick?

You can also throw Otto or Bellows on that 3rd line. That’s the question mark in the line up in my opinion.
- nyisles7

Lots of options. Otto, Bellows, Whal, Koiv. Kuhn and MM on the 4th. The 4th line just wasn't as important as it was last year. Time to pack it in and get the no-score guys off the 3rd and 4th and try for some offense, IMO.

Do they get a chance in the lottery even if they don't have a first round pick?
- PeteM

Lou had 1,2,3 protection on the 1st round pick he traded for Pags. If the Islanders fail to make the playoffs and draw the 1st pick, it's theirs to keep.

22 goals in 13 games. Their GAA didn't go up much. 8 games scoring 2 or less, with 3 shutouts. They struggled alright, especially in the offensive zone. I guess Cizikas is the key to the entire offense?

The way I saw it, teams were playing tighter, playoff type hockey, and the Islanders couldn't score.
- Puckin_Island

I think the biggest injury was Pelech and that includes on the offensive side as well. Casey certainly was a big Part too and there were others which change the chemistry of the team. No ones injury hurt more so then Tough guy, Gritty Andrew Badd

Again let’s see what Trotz does and how it works out.

Lots of options. Otto, Bellows, Whal, Koiv. Kuhn and MM on the 4th. The 4th line just wasn't as important as it was last year. Time to pack it in and get the no-score guys off the 3rd and 4th and try for some offense, IMO.
- Puckin_Island

The fourth line will be back for the Playoffs and be recharged and ready to go.

All offense and no D doesn’t work. Ask the Bolts, Leafs And pre Trotz Caps.

I think the biggest injury was Pelech and that includes on the offensive side as well. Casey certainly was a big Part too and there were others which change the chemistry of the team. No ones injury hurt more so then Tough guy, Gritty Andrew Badd

Again let’s see what Trotz does and how it works out.
- nyisles7

Pelech and Cizikas, the keys to the Islanders vaunted offense. That's too funny.


Ladd has been a bust for the Isles, but I like the way he played when he came back. Like you say, we'll see what happens.

The fourth line will be back for the Playoffs and be recharged and ready to go.

All offense and no D...
- nyisles7

That's not what I've ever said. Perhaps Joe Biden can read my posts to you. He couldn't do any worse than you.

Pelech and Cizikas, the keys to the Islanders vaunted offense. That's too funny.


Ladd has been a bust for the Isles, but I like the way he played when he came back. Like you say, we'll see what happens.
- Puckin_Island

Offense starts in your own zone Pucker. If your trapped in your zone you can’t score. Sorry we will just agree to disagree on this. Run and gun offense doesn’t work. Defense is key.

That's not what I've ever said. Perhaps Joe Biden can read my posts to you. He couldn't do any worse than you.
- Puckin_Island

Ok calling me Joe Biden is the ultimate insult. With that said all you have talked about is scoring and getting goals. Let’s just drop it because we won’t agree on this because I’m a defense first guy and like what Trotz has done since he’s been here. Minus the last twelve games of the season
They certainly need goals but not at the expense of defense.

Offense starts in your own zone Pucker. If your trapped in your zone you can’t score. Sorry we will just agree to disagree on this. Run and gun offense doesn’t work. Defense is key.
- nyisles7

Run and gun?? WTF are you talking about??

Do you know the difference between shaking up lines to get offense (something Trotz has done in the past) and changing playing philosophy? Do you think line shake-ups makes all the players forget how to play defense?

WTF??

Ok calling me Joe Biden is the ultimate insult. With that said all you have talked about is scoring and getting goals. Let’s just drop it because we won’t agree on this because I’m a defense first guy and like what Trotz has done since he’s been here. Minus the last twelve games of the season
They certainly need goals but not at the expense of defense.
- nyisles7

lol I didn't call you Joe Biden. I suggested you call him and utilize his cognitive skills.

This is like a whole new season . They have been off as long as a non playoff team in between two normal seasons. Who knows who will be in “playoffs “ shape on August 1. Any of the young guys could win a spot, at least I hope so. This whole thing is wide open and anything can happen. Let’s just hope we get to see some hockey and that one of the teams we all hate dose not win the cup or the first overall pick.