Said it last night as it was happening...that power play at the end of the game was their chance to win; not dragging it out to OT. They bury one there, and no one's talking about Varly, or Komarov, or anything like that today.

More than letting in an occasional bad goal or who's on what line, it's about finishing the chances you get, and that was the difference. Sure, Rask played well, but Pageau whiffed on two beautiful setups, Nelson sailed one over the net, and a bunch of guys passed up shots for some reason in prime scoring spots. I can't help but think that about half the Isles' players, if they had gotten the puck in the area where Smith scored Boston's first goal, probably would have tried some fancy shot-pass deflection instead of just wiring it.

To me, the moment you put a fourth line guy like Leo on the top line it's lke playing not to lose as opposed to playing to win. Its like running an I fomation on all three downs in football and proclaiming it smart because they won't turnover the ball as much.
As many of us said during the regular season, the concern was that once the clamp down defensive play in the playoffs kicked in, that line would disappear due to the offensive handicap. Both Eberle and Barzal are finesse players that need a netfront presence to help them find space and bang in rebounds. Leo isn't that type of player.
Still, that is only one of many issues here. This team is not playing playoff style offense. Getting the puck on net, mucking and grinding etc. They've made it easy on Boston's dmen
- keaner17

Great post Keaner. Isles have the 4th line and players like JGP and Palms but the top 6 has players that can play a soft game.

Said it last night as it was happening...that power play at the end of the game was their chance to win; not dragging it out to OT. They bury one there, and no one's talking about Varly, or Komarov, or anything like that today.

More than letting in an occasional bad goal or who's on what line, it's about finishing the chances you get, and that was the difference. Sure, Rask played well, but Pageau whiffed on two beautiful setups, Nelson sailed one over the net, and a bunch of guys passed up shots for some reason in prime scoring spots. I can't help but think that about half the Isles' players, if they had gotten the puck in the area where Smith scored Boston's first goal, probably would have tried some fancy shot-pass deflection instead of just wiring it.
- UIF

Great point UIF on the PP. The odds of the Isles winning the 1st four OT games were not good. I was worried about that OT. Varly and Leo are still issues though. Starting goalie struggling and non productive 1LW are big issues.

Gotta win the next game or this series is over, pelech is the best player on this team he is just a blanket on d

Gotta win the next game or this series is over, pelech is the best player on this team he is just a blanket on d
- Upstate_isles

Definitely true on both counts. Losing both home games with a crowd like that would be an emotional dagger. We need Pierre to stop drooling over Pelech (though it's well deserved). That next contract negotiation could be a tough one.

Gotta win the next game or this series is over, pelech is the best player on this team he is just a blanket on d
- Upstate_isles

Must win tomorrow for sure and Pelech is the real deal. Would be too much to expect Bolduc to be another Pelech but I look forward to seeing him on the Isles. Wonder if he can replace Greene next year on the 3rd pair?

I could not disagree more... This is the playoffs. Weak goals are the difference between winning and losing. Varly gave up 2 weak goals. He made some good saves too but in general most of the shots on net were from the perimeter b/c that is how the Islanders play. very few were point blank shots.. not a lot of odd man rushes... We lost that game b/c Varly was out of position on that last shot. .. and Rask did not let in any weak goals.
- niteislander

Without Varly in nets the game does not go to overtime.

Said it last night as it was happening...that power play at the end of the game was their chance to win; not dragging it out to OT. They bury one there, and no one's talking about Varly, or Komarov, or anything like that today.

More than letting in an occasional bad goal or who's on what line, it's about finishing the chances you get, and that was the difference. Sure, Rask played well, but Pageau whiffed on two beautiful setups, Nelson sailed one over the net, and a bunch of guys passed up shots for some reason in prime scoring spots. I can't help but think that about half the Isles' players, if they had gotten the puck in the area where Smith scored Boston's first goal, probably would have tried some fancy shot-pass deflection instead of just wiring it.
- UIF

It's been said by AJ and Burke that the Isles are told to be very economical with their shots. It seems that mentality has crept way too far into their psyche as a team that values puck posession over all else. Again it's a 'play not to lose' style that can keep them close in virtually every game, but also cause them to never pull away.
When Lou was asked about adding scoring power before the season, he scoffed and said something to the tune of "he would rather win his games 1-0 than 4-3". For the most part, his logic has worked, but it becomes a problem when your opponent scores two first. It also makes goals like Marchands twice as deadly

Without Varly in nets the game does not go to overtime.
- Nasty_Duck

I don't think there's any way of definitively saying that. Ask the Pens

Not easy to be young players with the Isles and especially young forwards. Not to say Bellows is a star and Isles have top young forward prospects outside of Wally.
- ses111

Down the stretch those games were real important so I understand some hesitation with young players but ultimately they have to play. You live and die with your depth and when your depth is thin it’s really hard to compete long term in the playoffs.

I don't think there's any way of definitively saying that. Ask the Pens
- keaner17

Exactly! Sorokin has done very well these playoffs.

Down the stretch those games were real important so I understand some hesitation with young players but ultimately they have to play. You live and die with your depth and when your depth is thin it’s really hard to compete long term in the playoffs.
- Cptmjl

Exactly Cpt! You cannot count on trades and FA signings all the time and especially in a Cap world. You need to be able to rely on young talent from the farm as well.

Bottom line is we didn’t capitalize on our prime scoring chances. One to many passes at times, shooting wide and Rask coming up big on others. Not to mention the 2 break aways we had that we didn’t score on as well. PPs came up empty as well. Looked better but didn’t get it done.
Anyone who blames this on Varly is flipping nuts.
The first goal was a cross ice feed to a wide open player in the slot who put a rip in the upper corner while Varly is moving side to side. This goal is also a direct result of a TO in the neutral zone when Hall stripped Barzal of the puck when he was coasting in the neutral zone instead of dumping it in and going for a change.
We aren’t even in OT without the saves Varly made throughout the game.
Barry had changed up the goalie after each loss in the POs this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes with sOrOkin how ever he may come back with Varly because he’ll stood on his head and gave his team a chance.
Tough decision to make.

It's been said by AJ and Burke that the Isles are told to be very economical with their shots. It seems that mentality has crept way too far into their psyche as a team that values puck posession over all else. Again it's a 'play not to lose' style that can keep them close in virtually every game, but also cause them to never pull away.
When Lou was asked about adding scoring power before the season, he scoffed and said something to the tune of "he would rather win his games 1-0 than 4-3". For the most part, his logic has worked, but it becomes a problem when your opponent scores two first. It also makes goals like Marchands twice as deadly
- keaner17

It's a tough way to play keaner especially when going up against elite playoff teams that can shut you down and score as well. Lot of pressure on the Isles goalies and defense and leaves little room for error.

It's a tough way to play keaner especially when going up against elite playoff teams that can shut you down and score as well. Lot of pressure on the Isles goalies and defense and leaves little room for error.
- ses111

We won game 2 on deflections and lucky bounces by putting pucks on net. That’s why it makes it even harder to stomach when we give up scoring opportunities to low percentage play/passes. Super aggravating.

Lines

Barzal Eberle Palmieri
2nd line and fourth line same.
3rd line Pageau Wahlstrom Bellows

Said it last night as it was happening...that power play at the end of the game was their chance to win; not dragging it out to OT. They bury one there, and no one's talking about Varly, or Komarov, or anything like that today.

More than letting in an occasional bad goal or who's on what line, it's about finishing the chances you get, and that was the difference. Sure, Rask played well, but Pageau whiffed on two beautiful setups, Nelson sailed one over the net, and a bunch of guys passed up shots for some reason in prime scoring spots. I can't help but think that about half the Isles' players, if they had gotten the puck in the area where Smith scored Boston's first goal, probably would have tried some fancy shot-pass deflection instead of just wiring it.
- UIF

This^^^
We lost UIF so you will get the same regurgitated nonsense on here, comical really.

Lines

Barzal Eberle Palmieri
2nd line and fourth line same.
3rd line Pageau Wahlstrom Bellows
- Hockeyislife

Come on man Bellows is not seeing the ice in the playoffs unless three players get injured.

Lines

Barzal Eberle Palmieri
2nd line and fourth line same.
3rd line Pageau Wahlstrom Bellows
- Hockeyislife

How about Barzal, Ebs Wally
And the rest of the lines the same. I think this may be given a shot although we need to pray when the Bs have the puck.

Without Varly in nets the game does not go to overtime.
- Nasty_Duck

Same can be said about Rask. Rask was by far the better goalie - 0 softies compared to 2 for Varly.

Said it last night as it was happening...that power play at the end of the game was their chance to win; not dragging it out to OT. They bury one there, and no one's talking about Varly, or Komarov, or anything like that today.

More than letting in an occasional bad goal or who's on what line, it's about finishing the chances you get, and that was the difference. Sure, Rask played well, but Pageau whiffed on two beautiful setups, Nelson sailed one over the net, and a bunch of guys passed up shots for some reason in prime scoring spots. I can't help but think that about half the Isles' players, if they had gotten the puck in the area where Smith scored Boston's first goal, probably would have tried some fancy shot-pass deflection instead of just wiring it.
- UIF

Yeah sure all of this and some blown coverage, weak clears, and weak goals along with some great saves. The unfortunate thing with our team is we don’t have the offensive fire power. We don’t normally put a ton of rubber on net which leads to the goaltenders having to play a close to perfect game. That’s reality.

Same can be said about Rask. Rask was by far the better goalie - 0 softies compared to 2 for Varly.
- TogaIsles

Like I said varlamov made some incredible saves and let in two weak goals. Put whatever label you want on that but that’s what happened. Who knows maybe Sorokin plays worse or better. Who the (frank) knows but what I said is what happened. That’s it.

Come on man Bellows is not seeing the ice in the playoffs unless three players get injured.
- Cptmjl

I'm not so sure we'll see him again, frankly. He could be a sweetener to get Seattle to devour a Leddy or even Ladd kind of contract.

I'm not so sure we'll see him again, frankly. He could be a sweetener to get Seattle to devour a Leddy or even Ladd kind of contract.
- keaner17

Most likely the case. I’ve heard through some friends that know of these things sometimes that there’s more to him not playing then just his defensive game. I have no idea how true it is but it’s believable to me.

Like I said varlamov made some incredible saves and let in two weak goals. Put whatever label you want on that but that’s what happened. Who knows maybe Sorokin plays worse or better. Who the (frank) knows but what I said is what happened. That’s it.
- Cptmjl

Seems odd to me that he's given up three or four soft goals these playoffs that were high glove where he just seemed to misjudge the puck. That first goal wasn't a laser by any stretch, given it was a close shot. It was a floating/fluttering shot that really seemed to take him off guard. Then of course the last one.
I don't think there's much chance that Barry changes things, though the last time I said that Sorokin ended up in net. I just hope he shows up razor sharp and the team actually provides him some goal support. One goal isn't going to win many playoff games