Absolutely. Most of us were saying we would be happy with a 500 or better record at the end of this. We’re trending to finish with a better record then that(jinx). Team has followed the same pattern the last few years with slow starts leading to steady improvement with little set back games. I’m confident we’ll be in a good spot at the end of this when we start playing at UBS.
- Cptmjl

Even if they go 1-2 the last 3 games, it would give them a 6-5-2 record to start. Not great but not too bad for 13 road games.

Even if they go 1-2 the last 3 games, it would give them a 6-5-2 record to start. Not great but not too bad for 13 road games.
- Isleshockeyman

Agreed. Not worried about it at 20 games I think we’ll be in a good spot.

Dobson had a terrible game. first time I have seen him play really poorly in a while.

Wahlstrom had a bad game too...

Chara still stinks. So does Bailey.

Dobson had a terrible game. first time I have seen him play really poorly in a while.

Wahlstrom had a bad game too...

Chara still stinks. So does Bailey.
- niteislander

I think the team overall played pretty poorly save for Barzal and Lee without actually looking at the numbers. Like I’ve said before Chara most likely has to get his positioning and timing down a bit and adjust to his new team. He has played better recently. Work in progress for him and the team as a whole imo.

I think the team overall played pretty poorly save for Barzal and Lee without actually looking at the numbers. Like I’ve said before Chara most likely has to get his positioning and timing down a bit and adjust to his new team. He has played better recently. Work in progress for him and the team as a whole imo.
- Cptmjl

He has played better, but he is just too slow at this point to really be impactful IMO.

We had a ton of chances to put this one away and didn't finish. Parise tipped the puck wide at least 3 times, Palmieri has to finish that one where he put it the only place the goalie could still save it, Martin had a golden opportunity at the end of the second period. How many times did Brock and Wahlstrom miss the net? 6? How many 2-on-1's did we have and not finish? (thankful 1 scored).. we played well enough to win and poorly enough at time to lose. Unfortunately, we didn't have Sorokin to stand on his head to get us the win.

I think the team overall played pretty poorly save for Barzal and Lee without actually looking at the numbers. Like I’ve said before Chara most likely has to get his positioning and timing down a bit and adjust to his new team. He has played better recently. Work in progress for him and the team as a whole imo.
- Cptmjl

I thought Beau, Pelech, JGP, and Casey played well... Dobson, Wahlstrom, and Varly did not

I thought Beau, Pelech, JGP, and Casey played well... Dobson, Wahlstrom, and Varly did not
- niteislander

I thought varly played great especially for his first game back. Beau now that you mention it also stood out to me.

He has played better, but he is just too slow at this point to really be impactful IMO.

We had a ton of chances to put this one away and didn't finish. Parise tipped the puck wide at least 3 times, Palmieri has to finish that one where he put it the only place the goalie could still save it, Martin had a golden opportunity at the end of the second period. How many times did Brock and Wahlstrom miss the net? 6? How many 2-on-1's did we have and not finish? (thankful 1 scored).. we played well enough to win and poorly enough at time to lose. Unfortunately, we didn't have Sorokin to stand on his head to get us the win.
- niteislander

He is slow but that’s why he needs to get dialed in with his positioning and timing. Hopefully it gets better. I think it will. As for the rest yeah hockey is a game of inches. Palmieri and Parise need to start scoring and I think they will. They’re both playing great minus yesterday’s game for Parise but I’ll give him a pass under the circumstances

So we're 5-3-2 so far on this road trip. I think if they can finish it 2-1 and end up 7-4-2, that would be awesome. I know the last 2 against Tampa & Florida will be the biggest challenges. Let's finish strong, boys.
- Isleshockeyman

Agreed

Even if they go 1-2 the last 3 games, it would give them a 6-5-2 record to start. Not great but not too bad for 13 road games.
- Isleshockeyman

Yeah they're in a pretty good position so far. Devils are a must win game Thursday and if they can split or take 3 out of 4pts against the two Florida teams then they're doing pretty well and about a 1/3 of their road games will already be behind them.

Agreed
- nyisles7

I agree with your agreement.

Yeah they're in a pretty good position so far. Devils are a must win game Thursday and if they can split or take 3 out of 4pts against the two Florida teams then they're doing pretty well and about a 1/3 of their road games will already be behind them.
- eichiefs9

I can agree with this, too.

This season's schedule so far can be described as: Hurry up and wait.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...ts-133443868.html?src=rss

An article predicting who will make the Canadian Olympic team...

I love the continued underestimation of the Islanders players. Barzal is a "long shot" to make the team, because his numbers are down from his rookie season. I guess the author doesn't realize that he was centering the #2 line that season, and that he wasn't asked to play both sides of the puck by Coach Weight.

Pulock and Pelech are not even in the conversation on D.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/team-canada-mens-hockey-olympic-roster-locks-hopefuls-and-long-shots-133443868.html?src=rss

An article predicting who will make the Canadian Olympic team...

I love the continued underestimation of the Islanders players. Barzal is a "long shot" to make the team, because his numbers are down from his rookie season. I guess the author doesn't realize that he was centering the #2 line that season, and that he wasn't asked to play both sides of the puck by Coach Weight.

Pulock and Pelech are not even in the conversation on D.


- JohnScammo

We could win the cup after making the conference finals two consecutive seasons prior and the media would say it was a fluke.

We could win the cup after making the conference finals two consecutive seasons prior and the media would say it was a fluke.
- Cptmjl

And fans of other teams would blame it on "boring hockey".

And fans of other teams would blame it on "boring hockey".
- JohnScammo

I can see Ek’s troll blog after if we won the cup;

“Is the Islanders winning the cup bad for the game of hockey?”

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/team-canada-mens-hockey-olympic-roster-locks-hopefuls-and-long-shots-133443868.html?src=rss

An article predicting who will make the Canadian Olympic team...

I love the continued underestimation of the Islanders players. Barzal is a "long shot" to make the team, because his numbers are down from his rookie season. I guess the author doesn't realize that he was centering the #2 line that season, and that he wasn't asked to play both sides of the puck by Coach Weight.

Pulock and Pelech are not even in the conversation on D.


- JohnScammo

I'm fine with it. In fact I prefer they don't play. Let them stay home, rest and not get hurt.

I'm fine with it. In fact I prefer they don't play. Let them stay home, rest and not get hurt.
- JimmyP

Absolutely. Anyone remember Tavares 8 years ago?

I can see Ek’s troll blog after if we won the cup;

“Is the Islanders winning the cup bad for the game of hockey?”
- Cptmjl

It'd still be better than Tanner's blog "Why the Islanders didn't really win the Cup"

It'd still be better than Tanner's blog "Why the Islanders didn't really win the Cup"
- JimmyP

Absolutely. Anyone remember Tavares 8 years ago?
- PeteM

Yup, he got injured in Sochi and was out a long time. I also like the lack of recognition as a motivator......not that these guys need extra motivation with Trotz as their coach, but every little bit helps.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...op-182832089.html?src=rss

Now they've moved the Isles back up to 8th. Just a few weeks ago they were 22nd.

Panthers getting shalacked by the Rangers.

Panthers getting shalacked by the Rangers.
- Cptmjl

Rangers are a dangerous team. They have some high end talent, and now one of the better coaches.

Edit: Although they are close to blowing a 3-goal lead with less than 2 minutes left in regulation.

Rangers are a dangerous team. They have some high end talent, and now one of the better coaches.

Edit: Although they are close to blowing a 3-goal lead with less than 2 minutes left in regulation.
- JohnScammo

Yeah I believe, unfortunately, they’ll wind up putting it together as a team. Their problem this season has been holding leads in the third as you saw tonight.