How many hockeyputz coaches are pissed Griess wasn't in goal last night?

Isles are missing all of the Vas rebounds lying in an open crease on the weak side. I've seen close to 10 in this series already. Tampa gets people to the weak side, but we haven't. Our goalies are getting beat by tips. Where are our tips? Lee is taking the beating in front but not getting those softer tosses to the net so he can go to work.

Greene has looked tired this entire series. Is JB hanging at the red line being ready to drop back and block shots the answer? Probably not, but I have a feeling Dobson would be lost out there, and JB would do a better job protecting the paint and interfering with the tips and cross passes.
- Puckin_Island

Enter thomas hickey

Enter thomas hickey
- Upstate_isles

I forgot all about Hickey. Is he completely healthy? He's certainly a faster skater than Boychuk. I just don't like his play around the crease where he tends to get outmuscled.

The quality of the chances between the two teams seems to lean towards Tampa imo. Also, they also have a ton of extended zone time while they seem to be limiting ours.
- Cptmjl

The isles have chances they’re just not burying. PPs, Barzal breakaway, Pageau shanked an open net. As you said it’s the extended zone time that’s the problem. Really it’s guys not doing what it takes to get it out of the zone. It’s almost lazy play. Toews, Eberle, even Martin were all guilty of missed opportunities to get the puck out and it resulted in goals against. Has to be better. Bear down and get it out!!!

The isles have chances they’re just not burying. PPs, Barzal breakaway, Pageau shanked an open net. As you said it’s the extended zone time that’s the problem. Really it’s guys not doing what it takes to get it out of the zone. It’s almost lazy play. Toews, Eberle, even Martin were all guilty of missed opportunities to get the puck out and it resulted in goals against. Has to be better. Bear down and get it out!!!
- kindlyrick

This. Weak clearing attempts and not making the smart, easy, simple, plays at times but I think that has more to do with Tampa’s pressure rather then laziness. They don’t give us much time out there.

This. Weak clearing attempts and not making the smart, easy, simple, plays at times but I think that has more to do with Tampa’s pressure rather then laziness. They don’t give us much time out there.
- Cptmjl

Agreed they must be better. I’d rather see them ice the puck then pass it to Tampa in our own end.

Enter thomas hickey
- Upstate_isles

lol To light for this checking series. I was pleased to see Eberle embracing some of the physicality rather than bailing out all the time.

IMO, the real story of this series is Vas making incredible save after incredible save. Without him, the Isles could easily be up 2-1. But I have seen a lot of rebounds to the weak side. Isles need to position someone there to pop it in, and get their tip game going after ignoring it for most of the season.

Doesn't matter if its 100mph if he can't get it off or hit the net. I'd be ok with him just getting it on net with traffic. Philly scored with wrist shots from the point, all it has to be on net
- Upstate_isles

Just reading the athletic and all three goals involved an extra pass to get vasilekiy moving sode to side sonthats their game plan it appears
- Upstate_isles

They are 100% trying to move him side to side.
Guys a beast and if he sees the shot he’s probably saving it, which typically results in a Faceoff or loss of possession. Islanders are battling out front but Tampa has done a good job clearing out the front for him.

This. Weak clearing attempts and not making the smart, easy, simple, plays at times but I think that has more to do with Tampa’s pressure rather then laziness. They don’t give us much time out there.
- Cptmjl

100% Cpt. And if you look at the goals last night Tampa had the Isles hemmed in their zone and that leads to bad plays obviously. When your chasing in your zone you get gassed and lose your checks.

100% Cpt. And if you look at the goals last night Tampa had the Isles hemmed in their zone and that leads to bad plays obviously. When your chasing in your zone you get gassed and lose your checks.
- nyisles7

A lot of that going on unfortunately in this series. Have to give Tampa credit they’re so god damn quick honestly remind me of the mid 80’s Oilers right now. Like I said earlier we all know this team can play better hoping this win under their belt gives them a little push and we see them hit another gear.

I have a new found respect for Nelson. I thought of him as soft and inconsistent. He has proven me wrong this year and I am happy to admit it. What is even sweeter is Tavarse is home on his couch.

A lot of that going on unfortunately in this series. Have to give Tampa credit they’re so god damn quick honestly remind me of the mid 80’s Oilers right now. Like I said earlier we all know this team can play better hoping this win under their belt gives them a little push and we see them hit another gear.
- Cptmjl

We typically use the boards for our zone exits as most teams do. if you watch Tampa they are on the walls waiting. To counter this you have to exit up the middle and that means making a pass from the wall hash Mark to the middle which can be easily picked off. I’m sure Trotz and the staff are watching video 24 hours a day to counter this. As you said TampAs is quick on the puck.

Win the next game and it’s a best of 3.

Let’s Go

Nice win, sure a few of you had heart attacks during the game

We typically use the boards for our zone exits as most teams do. if you watch Tampa they are on the walls waiting. To counter this you have to exit up the middle and that means making a pass from the wall hash Mark to the middle which can be easily picked off. I’m sure Trotz and the staff are watching video 24 hours a day to counter this. As you said TampAs is quick on the puck.

Win the next game and it’s a best of 3.

Let’s Go
- nyisles7

Billy Carroll is 1-0. Have to make it 2-0 tomorrow. Barry and the staff have to put in some good video work and have the team ready for tomorrow.

Nice win, sure a few of you had heart attacks during the game
- KINGKENZO

A few?

Nice win, sure a few of you had heart attacks during the game
- KINGKENZO

Arthur Staple@StapeAthletic

Trotz says Cizikas is about the same as yesterday, will be a game time decision tomorrow

Arthur Staple@StapeAthletic

Trotz says Cizikas is about the same as yesterday, will be a game time decision tomorrow
- JimmyP

Man I hope he’s fit to go.

Man I hope he’s fit to go.
- nyisles7

So do I. Does anyone remember him getting injured in Game 2? I mostly recall Nelson getting his bell rung..........no recollection of Casey getting hurt.

It's no mystery what Tampa is doing, because it's exactly what the Flyers did. Send in 2 or 3 forwards to win the puck battles along the walls and seal the points so the isles can't clear. Isles did a good job in game 2 giving support in the slots for the clear, but they went back to their usual reliance on the boards in game 3, and the failure to clear cost them on at least 1 goal.

I've been complaining about the rubber wrist passes the entire playoffs. It's nice to see them finally putting some heat on the puck.

Still need those tosses to the net for the tip, especially on the PP, when they can risk 2 or 3 guys around the paint, especially if they play 2 D.

Arthur Staple@StapeAthletic

Trotz says Cizikas is about the same as yesterday, will be a game time decision tomorrow
- JimmyP

Darn Casey and his injuries.

Arthur Staple@StapeAthletic

Trotz says Cizikas is about the same as yesterday, will be a game time decision tomorrow
- JimmyP

He looked a little off the first few games. Usually he’s got an extra gear. Hopefully he can play game 4, as he’s a real piece here.

On my second Bloody Mary. Heavy on the vodka. Not sure why I decided to drink them in the afternoon but they’re definitely doing the trick. Prob switch to vodka/club/splash cranberry next drink.

Good times being an isles fan in 2020. Playoff hockey kicks ass when your team still alive. Love hating the Bolts. Makes sports fun again (MSFA). I’m gonna run on that slogan.

He looked a little off the first few games. Usually he’s got an extra gear. Hopefully he can play game 4, as he’s a real piece here.
- kindlyrick

He’s definitely been off. Not as physical as normal. And not chipping in goals like normal either. Usually good for a goal every three or four games but been pretty quiet. Let’s hope he’s ok and if he makes the lineup able to contribute.

So do I. Does anyone remember him getting injured in Game 2? I mostly recall Nelson getting his bell rung..........no recollection of Casey getting hurt.
- JohnScammo

I didn't see anything. My guess is its something he was trying to play through but got to bad. We probably won't find out until the playoffs are over.