It seems a lot of hockey fans for other teams are hating on the islanders. It’s confusing because I feel if they honestly watched them play how could you not like a team with their work ethic. Maybe my only guess is it’s kinda like the Devils when they were winning cups how everyone hated their style. Unfortunately the Islanders have not had that much success but I guess all the hate is kinda a compliment. To be honest I hated the Devils when they were winning cups and would bash their trap but really it was just jealousy.
- maximumcarnage

It's called Jealousy

Keith Jones is actually the only guy who compliments the Isles play. Olczyk, Pierre, and Micheletti do nothing other than constantly gush about the other team.
- niteislander

I think Keith Jones is the worst

You know we had a good game when we’re talking about this stupid bullshat

It seems a lot of hockey fans for other teams are hating on the islanders. It’s confusing because I feel if they honestly watched them play how could you not like a team with their work ethic. Maybe my only guess is it’s kinda like the Devils when they were winning cups how everyone hated their style. Unfortunately the Islanders have not had that much success but I guess all the hate is kinda a compliment. To be honest I hated the Devils when they were winning cups and would bash their trap but really it was just jealousy.
- maximumcarnage

I hated the Devils style but it worked very well. Teams constantly tried to skate through the 4 players instead of doing soft dump in's in the corner away from Brodeur. Islanders are playing a smart solid style but it's not the trap at all.

Boston is meh and Pittsburgh sucks. Carolina and Florida are relentless but they are ready to be contenders yet.
- Feds91Stammer

Pittsburgh has a helluva lot of talent. It's their goaltending that was suspect. Were it not for a great effort by Sorokin and some softies by Jarry, we likely wouldn't be here. Bostin has the best line in hockey and got their depth with Hall. They were a pretty tough team and built to win in the playoffs. A couole of injuries and lights out performance by Nelsons line ended their run.

Like I said, Tampa is unquesrionably the most complete team in the league, but if they get smothered in game two, you've got to start wondering about the potential mirages from divisional play

Pittsburgh has a helluva lot of talent. It's their goaltending that was suspect. Were it not for a great effort by Sorokin and some softies by Jarry, we likely wouldn't be here. Bostin has the best line in hockey and got their depth with Hall. They were a pretty tough team and built to win in the playoffs. A couole of injuries and lights out performance by Nelsons line ended their run.

Like I said, Tampa is unquesrionably the most complete team in the league, but if they get smothered in game two, you've got to start wondering about the potential mirages from divisional play
- keaner17

These teams not playing each other the entire season has to be a factor. The other playoff series were probably almost routine for the Lightning. Here we come in and they were probably like wtf is this?

Hopefully they don’t pivot and adjust

These teams not playing each other the entire season has to be a factor. The other playoff series were probably almost routine for the Lightning. Here we come in and they were probably like wtf is this?

Hopefully they don’t pivot and adjust
- Cptmjl

Really helped the Isles playing in a tough division. They were ready for the playoffs. What makes Tampa really tough is their top end guys do not seem to be afraid of some rough stuff like the Leafs top end players.

Pittsburgh has a helluva lot of talent. It's their goaltending that was suspect. Were it not for a great effort by Sorokin and some softies by Jarry, we likely wouldn't be here. Bostin has the best line in hockey and got their depth with Hall. They were a pretty tough team and built to win in the playoffs. A couole of injuries and lights out performance by Nelsons line ended their run.

Like I said, Tampa is unquesrionably the most complete team in the league, but if they get smothered in game two, you've got to start wondering about the potential mirages from divisional play
- keaner17

Nah Pittsburgh sucks and I tell them in their thread daily.

Tampa's pp was at 42% coming into yesterday's game.
They are IMO the most complete team in the league, but maybe they're getting too much respect. Afterall, I'm not so sure Flirida and Carolina are as good as Pittsburgh and Boston. I honestly felt both of those teams were capable of presenting some issues for Tampa, yet we took them both out. Tampa is rightfully the favorite in this series, Lou has made a living off of declawing high oowered offensive teams with defensive-minded orgs. We're going to learn a lot about this matchup in game 2.
- keaner17

I don't know...I think Carolina's a damn good team, and I'm sure my opinion's influenced by watching them sweep the Isles a couple of seasons ago. But, to your point, I do think it was a different brand of hockey in the East...all the top teams in that division were built to make you go to war for every inch of ice rather than opening it up a bit more. That probably worked in the Isles favor in game 1, and would have for Pitt and Boston if they'd won the East as well.

Now that Tampa knows what to expect, game 2 is probably going to be more of a physical battle along the boards and more chipping the puck in.

I think Jones, Sharp and Carter have all been complimentary of the Isles. I even sense Cartwr leaning towards us in many of their intermission segments. Pierre, Boucher, Eddie O and a few others are clear in their admiration for whoever we play
- keaner17

100% agree with this.. I felt like Carter had bet guys in the studio the last series. he was almost llike.. "I told u guys..."

Nah Pittsburgh sucks and I tell them in their thread daily.
- Feds91Stammer

He does

I don't know...I think Carolina's a damn good team, and I'm sure my opinion's influenced by watching them sweep the Isles a couple of seasons ago. But, to your point, I do think it was a different brand of hockey in the East...all the top teams in that division were built to make you go to war for every inch of ice rather than opening it up a bit more. That probably worked in the Isles favor in game 1, and would have for Pitt and Boston if they'd won the East as well.

Now that Tampa knows what to expect, game 2 is probably going to be more of a physical battle along the boards and more chipping the puck in.
- UIF

I thought that too.. was somewhat surprised they didn't fare better in that series. Mrazek was flat out horrible in game 4 though which would have tied the series and completely changed that whole story perhaps...

I don't know...I think Carolina's a damn good team, and I'm sure my opinion's influenced by watching them sweep the Isles a couple of seasons ago. But, to your point, I do think it was a different brand of hockey in the East...all the top teams in that division were built to make you go to war for every inch of ice rather than opening it up a bit more. That probably worked in the Isles favor in game 1, and would have for Pitt and Boston if they'd won the East as well.

Now that Tampa knows what to expect, game 2 is probably going to be more of a physical battle along the boards and more chipping the puck in.
- UIF

I agree on Carolina UIF. They are good but can use more offense. I know the layoff hurt the Isles during that series but Isles had trouble generating much against them.

I thought it was not the right move getting rid of JD and Gorton but it was equally dumb for them to not have any toughness at all in this division. This division toughness you up for the playoffs for sure but you still have to make the playoffs first.

Nah Pittsburgh sucks and I tell them in their thread daily.
- Feds91Stammer

Nah Pittsburgh sucks and I tell them in their thread daily.
- Feds91Stammer

lol

I agree on Carolina UIF. They are good but can use more offense. I know the layoff hurt the Isles during that series but Isles had trouble generating much against them.

I thought it was not the right move getting rid of JD and Gorton but it was equally dumb for them to not have any toughness at all in this division. This division toughness you up for the playoffs for sure but you still have to make the playoffs first.
- ses111

First game goalie interference call still ticks me off..

Pittsburgh has a helluva lot of talent. It's their goaltending that was suspect. Were it not for a great effort by Sorokin and some softies by Jarry, we likely wouldn't be here. Bostin has the best line in hockey and got their depth with Hall. They were a pretty tough team and built to win in the playoffs. A couole of injuries and lights out performance by Nelsons line ended their run.

Like I said, Tampa is unquesrionably the most complete team in the league, but if they get smothered in game two, you've got to start wondering about the potential mirages from divisional play
- keaner17

This is why I think Vegas is going to blow the doors off the Habs.

First game goalie interference call still ticks me off..
- niteislander

That entire series ticks me off. Very frustrating series seeing the Isles struggle so much. Seems like years ago now.

Yep. Getting outshot 3-0 on the first PP didn't help my stress level.
- UIF

Took the Isles waaaaay too long to adjust to what Tampa was doing. they had 4 guys on the blueline and we continued to try and weave through it instead of chipping it through and going to get it or dump and chase. Keith was bringing it up constantly.. "Isles have to adjust to what Tampa's doing on the PK"

our PP got better each one.. so hopefully that bodes well for next game.

That entire series ticks me off. Very frustrating series seeing the Isles struggle so much. Seems like years ago now.
- ses111

me too.. but losing 1-0 in OT when u had a goal disallowed on a terrible call that was not reviewable (rule changed since).. really upset me.. that could have changed that whole series. (I went to game 3 in Carolina which was Lehner only not great playoff game).

I agree on Carolina UIF. They are good but can use more offense. I know the layoff hurt the Isles during that series but Isles had trouble generating much against them.

I thought it was not the right move getting rid of JD and Gorton but it was equally dumb for them to not have any toughness at all in this division. This division toughness you up for the playoffs for sure but you still have to make the playoffs first.
- ses111

After the first game, I wasn't worried at all. Even after the second game, I thought the Isles had a good chance of coming back. But Carolina was just relentless in that series and yeah, the Isles couldn't get anything done.

First game goalie interference call still ticks me off..
- niteislander

That was before we bought off all the refs.

That was before we bought off all the refs.
- UIF

I agree on Carolina UIF. They are good but can use more offense. I know the layoff hurt the Isles during that series but Isles had trouble generating much against them.

I thought it was not the right move getting rid of JD and Gorton but it was equally dumb for them to not have any toughness at all in this division. This division toughness you up for the playoffs for sure but you still have to make the playoffs first.
- ses111

JD and Gorton getting fired was moronic imo. I feel like they would’ve added some depth and grinders to what they had. I actually thought that would be their plan this off-season. With that said I thought Gorton was doing a good job so I’m happy to see him fired

JD and Gorton getting fired was moronic imo. I feel like they would’ve added some depth and grinders to what they had. I actually thought that would be their plan this off-season. With that said I thought Gorton was doing a good job so I’m happy to see him fired
- Cptmjl

I'm so glad they got fired I thought they were doing a great job

JD and Gorton getting fired was moronic imo. I feel like they would’ve added some depth and grinders to what they had. I actually thought that would be their plan this off-season. With that said I thought Gorton was doing a good job so I’m happy to see him fired
- Cptmjl

I think I said before the season when I saw that Ranger lineup it would not go well with the lack of toughness. No way I fire either guy though. Rangers have to be careful not to go to far the other way this offseason.