So is this the game Trotz finally gets Johnston in and puts Barzal on the wing? A guy can dream...
- Cptmjl

So is this the game Trotz finally gets Johnston in and puts Barzal on the wing? A guy can dream...
- Cptmjl

you and poly reusing the same material week after week.....

C'mon guys, put some effort into it. You're making it too easy for me to win every round.

Todays drinking word is "Ross".

Every time the Ritalin Kid says "Ross", everyone take a drink.

- JohnScammo

I’m thinking Lameriello should get involved at this point. Man oh man I wish we had Kyle Dubas as GM.

- JohnScammo

Nut hugger.

I’m thinking Lameriello should get involved at this point. Man oh man I wish we had Kyle Dubas as GM.
- Cptmjl

Lameriello?

Is he the new GM?

I’m thinking Lameriello should get involved at this point. Man oh man I wish we had Kyle Dubas as GM.
- Cptmjl

Why don't you say 'douche wagon' anymore?

I used to love that about you.

Let that sink in a bit...

Why don't you say 'douche wagon' anymore?

I used to love that about you.
- Puckin_Island

Can you still cast two hundred yards?

So is this the game Trotz finally gets Johnston in and puts Barzal on the wing? A guy can dream...
- Cptmjl

Another perspective
https://sports.yahoo.com/...es-142632264.html?src=rss

Another perspective
https://sports.yahoo.com/...es-142632264.html?src=rss
- JohnScammo

Yeah I don’t know. I think we all agree when this team plays at the level they are they can beat anyone the only question for me and I assume others can they maintain it for a few rounds? Carolina used their speed to get ahead of our defense and we all know how that turned out. Can another team do the same thing to us or are we so buttoned up now that any team fast or not will have a hard time solving us? I’m honestly not 100% sure one way or the other... I would like to believe with the experience this team has gained the last couple of years it would be difficult for a team like Carolina to repeat that performance but who knows?

Yeah I don’t know. I think we all agree when this team plays at the level they are they can beat anyone the only question for me and I assume others can they maintain it for a few rounds? Carolina used their speed to get ahead of our defense and we all know how that turned out. Can another team do the same thing to us or are we so buttoned up now that any team fast or not will have a hard time solving us? I’m honestly not 100% sure one way or the other... I would like to believe with the experience this team has gained the last couple of years it would be difficult for a team like Carolina to repeat that performance but who knows?
- Cptmjl

No doubt. I question the consistency. They had a serious drop off in play before the NHL suspended the season. The hiatus is working in their favor so far.

No doubt. I question the consistency. They had a serious drop off in play before the NHL suspended the season. The hiatus is working in their favor so far.
- JimmyP

Have to figure a lot of that had to do with injuries and I know I read somewhere Trotz tweaked the system a little bit with those injuries to play a more wide open game and regretted it. Can’t remember where I read it but I know I did. That should elicit some responses

Another perspective
https://sports.yahoo.com/...es-142632264.html?src=rss
- JohnScammo

Can't say I agree with a lot of what he wrote in this article. Isles are playing good defensive hockey. Caps are not... one team seems to be bought in to coach's system. The other one doesn't... And God willing it stays that way for the rest of this series.

Not sure the Islanders are out Toughing them... as the writer seems to suggest.

I also think Carolina is very similar to the Isles in how they play. Don't see the Caps with the way they are playing breezing through them either at this point. They are a very tough team to play against in a series (see Rangers play-in and Isles last year).

Not sure Carolina is Faster than the Isles either by the way.. I would put Leddy, Toews, Barzal, JGP, and crew up against anyone speed wise.

No doubt. I question the consistency. They had a serious drop off in play before the NHL suspended the season. The hiatus is working in their favor so far.
- JimmyP

Lost some pretty important guys at that time too. Pelech and Casey are huge parts of this team in the roles they fill on this team. (especially Casey before we had Pags to soften the blow on PK and playing center).

Have to figure a lot of that had to do with injuries and I know I read somewhere Trotz tweaked the system a little bit with those injuries to play a more wide open game and regretted it. Can’t remember where I read it but I know I did. That should elicit some responses
- Cptmjl

100%

Yeah I don’t know. I think we all agree when this team plays at the level they are they can beat anyone the only question for me and I assume others can they maintain it for a few rounds? Carolina used their speed to get ahead of our defense and we all know how that turned out. Can another team do the same thing to us or are we so buttoned up now that any team fast or not will have a hard time solving us? I’m honestly not 100% sure one way or the other... I would like to believe with the experience this team has gained the last couple of years it would be difficult for a team like Carolina to repeat that performance but who knows?
- Cptmjl

They hit a lot of posts last year vs the canes and blew two 3rd period leads and had at least one goal taken back i thought should have counted (barzals, toews was a clear kick and deflection or not a goal can never be scored when the puck is propelled by a kick). The difference this year is they are scoring more than 2 goals a game most games and if they can keep putting the pucknin the net they can make a run

They hit a lot of posts last year vs the canes and blew two 3rd period leads and had at least one goal taken back i thought should have counted (barzals, toews was a clear kick and deflection or not a goal can never be scored when the puck is propelled by a kick). The difference this year is they are scoring more than 2 goals a game most games and if they can keep putting the pucknin the net they can make a run
- Upstate_isles

The games were close and I agree that goal should’ve been allowed but with that said I don’t know about you I didn’t feel they were ever really in it. They weren’t the same team we’re seeing now. Not even close imo.

Yeah I don’t know. I think we all agree when this team plays at the level they are they can beat anyone the only question for me and I assume others can they maintain it for a few rounds? Carolina used their speed to get ahead of our defense and we all know how that turned out. Can another team do the same thing to us or are we so buttoned up now that any team fast or not will have a hard time solving us? I’m honestly not 100% sure one way or the other... I would like to believe with the experience this team has gained the last couple of years it would be difficult for a team like Carolina to repeat that performance but who knows?
- Cptmjl

Isles scored 5 goals in 4 games. Carolinas defense won that series. That's not even open to debate.

Yeah I don’t know. I think we all agree when this team plays at the level they are they can beat anyone the only question for me and I assume others can they maintain it for a few rounds? Carolina used their speed to get ahead of our defense and we all know how that turned out. Can another team do the same thing to us or are we so buttoned up now that any team fast or not will have a hard time solving us? I’m honestly not 100% sure one way or the other... I would like to believe with the experience this team has gained the last couple of years it would be difficult for a team like Carolina to repeat that performance but who knows?
- Cptmjl

Me too, but it's not looking like we're going to find out, what with the demoralizing loss Carolina suffered yesterday. Bruins look like a lock to close out that series. Then again, ya never know. Columbus suffered an even worse loss to Toronto and came back to win the series.

Lost some pretty important guys at that time too. Pelech and Casey are huge parts of this team in the roles they fill on this team. (especially Casey before we had Pags to soften the blow on PK and playing center).
- niteislander

Losing those 2 offensive powerhouses is surely the reason the Islanders scored around 15 goals in their last 13 games. /sacrcasm

Have to figure a lot of that had to do with injuries and I know I read somewhere Trotz tweaked the system a little bit with those injuries to play a more wide open game and regretted it. Can’t remember where I read it but I know I did. That should elicit some responses
- Cptmjl

around 15 goals in last 13 games. You sure your theory doesn't include Lee and Eberle doing the tweeking? Were all 3 of you tweeking?

Me too, but it's not looking like we're going to find out, what with the demoralizing loss Carolina suffered yesterday. Bruins look like a lock to close out that series. Then again, ya never know. Columbus suffered an even worse loss to Toronto and came back to win the series.
- JohnScammo

Most likely right. At least we have an opportunity to exorcise some demons no matter which team comes out of the series.

The games were close and I agree that goal should’ve been allowed but with that said I don’t know about you I didn’t feel they were ever really in it. They weren’t the same team we’re seeing now. Not even close imo.
- Cptmjl

2 games were close. That's the 2 where the isles scored a total of.....1 goal.

The last 2 weren't close. Perhaps these are the "tweeking" games you dreamed about? Carolina defense made the Isles desperate. When the Isles pressed for goals, Carolina pounced on their mistakes. Sound like a familiar playing style?