It's a long shot indeed for the Islanders to make the playoffs. Just 10% chance, according to this site. http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html

The good news? A week or 2 ago, they were only given a 6% chance.

During this 4-game point streak, they were playing teams that were decent to bad (sorry, Buffalo). I will begin to get enthusiastic when they start beating the top teams like Tampa, Florida, Carolina, or yes, the Rangers.
- JohnScammo

Meh it’s just numbers that are factored in for those sites they don’t take into consideration past history, shooting % of players, etc. I’m certainly not saying we’re a lock but we’re headed in the right direction to make it interesting at the very least. With a fully healthy lineup and firing on all cylinders I wouldn’t count them out just yet.

Just like that Panarin out on Covid protocol.

Just like that Panarin out on Covid protocol.
- Cptmjl

- Wildschwein

Knew it was only a matter of time till they got hit. I’m sure they’ll be saved by the NHL’s ever evolving positively for teams Covid protocols unlike we were but who knows maybe they take a hit in the standings.

Meh it’s just numbers that are factored in for those sites they don’t take into consideration past history, shooting % of players, etc. I’m certainly not saying we’re a lock but we’re headed in the right direction to make it interesting at the very least. With a fully healthy lineup and firing on all cylinders I wouldn’t count them out just yet.
- Cptmjl

Oh, I learned way back in the 1975 playoffs to never count out the Islanders. When they're mathematically eliminated, I'll count them out.

Rangers are playing well against Tampa so far even without Panarin. It's weird, but I find myself rooting for them (and anyone) against Tampa whose principal strategy seems to be squeezing the maximum number of star players under the cap.

Oh, I learned way back in the 1975 playoffs to never count out the Islanders. When they're mathematically eliminated, I'll count them out.

Rangers are playing well against Tampa so far even without Panarin. It's weird, but I find myself rooting for them (and anyone) against Tampa whose principal strategy seems to be squeezing the maximum number of star players under the cap.
- JohnScammo

It’s crazy when you think about the rivalry back in the 70’s and 80’s. It couldn’t have been more volatile. It was absolutely brutal going to isles/rangers games. The rivalry has been fairly neutered over the years. Still there but not even close to what it was. They’re one playoff series away from igniting it again.

Dobson looks great all over the ice. Hopefully he can keep it up.
- Cptmjl

The players said he was a horse last year and can skate for days so I think he can

It’s crazy when you think about the rivalry back in the 70’s and 80’s. It couldn’t have been more volatile. It was absolutely brutal going to isles/rangers games. The rivalry has been fairly neutered over the years. Still there but not even close to what it was. They’re one playoff series away from igniting it again.
- Cptmjl

Even as recently as the 2000s, I remember seeing lots of fights on the ice, and about twice as many fights in the stands. Even pre-season games. I remember one time leaving a game at the Coli, and seeing some guy in a Rangers jersey sitting off to the side, looking dazed with a bloody nose.

Even as recently as the 2000s, I remember seeing lots of fights on the ice, and about twice as many fights in the stands. Even pre-season games. I remember one time leaving a game at the Coli, and seeing some guy in a Rangers jersey sitting off to the side, looking dazed with a bloody nose.
- JohnScammo

I honestly was in the middle of a few of those but I never started it! I was a knuckle head as a kid. Not much has changed

The players said he was a horse last year and can skate for days so I think he can
- Upstate_isles

I really hope trotz takes notice of who is doing the right things and who isn’t and makes his personnel decisions accordingly and doesn’t base it purely on some biased veteran loyalty. Anyone can say whatever the (frank) they want but that has moved him to make some pretty poor personnel decisions occasionally imo. I’m not just referring to Dobson right now of course.

I honestly was in the middle of a few of those but I never started it! I was a knuckle head as a kid. Not much has changed
- Cptmjl

- JohnScammo

I really hope trotz takes notice of who is doing the right things and who isn’t and makes his personnel decisions accordingly and doesn’t base it purely on some biased veteran loyalty. Anyone can say whatever the (frank) they want but that has moved him to make some pretty poor personnel decisions occasionally imo. I’m not just referring to Dobson right now of course.
- Cptmjl

Well he said he wasn't sure Palmieri would get back in the way others are playing. Bellows has earned a longer look and Wahlstrom should be a lock when he returns. I actually like Ross the boss but either one of he or martin is good on any given night. I like czarnik too but he will come out of the lineup

Well he said he wasn't sure Palmieri would get back in the way others are playing. Bellows has earned a longer look and Wahlstrom should be a lock when he returns. I actually like Ross the boss but either one of he or martin is good on any given night. I like czarnik too but he will come out of the lineup
- Upstate_isles

Agree with all of this my one concern is Wahlstrom not being that lock you describe. Not really sure what else the kid has to do to prove himself but I’m not convinced he’s a lock in trotz’s eyes. I like Czarnik also he’ll be a good taxi squad player for us if anything.

Agree with all of this my one concern is Wahlstrom not being that lock you describe. Not really sure what else the kid has to do to prove himself but I’m not convinced he’s a lock in trotz’s eyes. I like Czarnik also he’ll be a good taxi squad player for us if anything.
- Cptmjl

Hes one of our only threats to score but trotz doesn't like his play away from the puck. That said he shouldn't be out of the lineup but what do I know

Hes one of our only threats to score but trotz doesn't like his play away from the puck. That said he shouldn't be out of the lineup but what do I know
- Upstate_isles

This a thousand times. I’ll also add he’s been much better on both sides of the puck, Is physical, has a wicked shot that’s extremely valuable on the pp. There’s every reason for him to be a regular in a lineup that can’t score.

This a thousand times. I’ll also add he’s been much better on both sides of the puck, Is physical, has a wicked shot that’s extremely valuable on the pp. There’s every reason for him to be a regular in a lineup that can’t score.
- Cptmjl

Yep, bellows shoots all the time too and is starting to get it together. Honestly the last two games they looked more like the team I thought we would see, barzal.looks dynamic and Lee is starting to score. I will add that Parise hasn't scored yet but he works hard and is getting chances, Palmieri ehh

Yep, bellows shoots all the time too and is starting to get it together. Honestly the last two games they looked more like the team I thought we would see, barzal.looks dynamic and Lee is starting to score. I will add that Parise hasn't scored yet but he works hard and is getting chances, Palmieri ehh
- Upstate_isles

Yep. Parise has been great just has to start potting a few. Palmieri will be given every opportunity to succeed hopefully he gets it together. Interested/worried to see what trotz does with the lineup after this break.

Yep. Parise has been great just has to start potting a few. Palmieri will be given every opportunity to succeed hopefully he gets it together. Interested/worried to see what trotz does with the lineup after this break.
- Cptmjl

Only 13 days till the next game, we are in the bye week

Only 13 days till the next game, we are in the bye week
- Upstate_isles

This season is a complete gong show. It makes it more palatable if they don’t make the playoffs.

Only 13 days till the next game, we are in the bye week
- Upstate_isles

Gotta love it when they play every other week.

Yep, bellows shoots all the time too and is starting to get it together. Honestly the last two games they looked more like the team I thought we would see, barzal.looks dynamic and Lee is starting to score. I will add that Parise hasn't scored yet but he works hard and is getting chances, Palmieri ehh
- Upstate_isles

He has scored once. So that's something. I do agree with you though. He is out there busting his ass on both ends of the ice. I just hope the puck starts going in and he gets rewarded for the work.

Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson practicing with the team today.

Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson practicing with the team today.
- Cptmjl

Quick, someone with Covid run out there and spit in Pamieri's mouth

I really hope trotz takes notice of who is doing the right things and who isn’t and makes his personnel decisions accordingly and doesn’t base it purely on some biased veteran loyalty. Anyone can say whatever the (frank) they want but that has moved him to make some pretty poor personnel decisions occasionally imo. I’m not just referring to Dobson right now of course.
- Cptmjl

I'm very interested to see what happens when they play.....in 11 days. Likely anyone who's been out will be healthy/off protocol, probably including Pulock. Right now I don't see how he can take Bellows out of the lineup, he's playing too well. Wahlstrom should really be on the top line with 27/13 but Palmieri will be back too. I like Parise but he doesn't do much on the scoresheet and I'm starting to lean towards preferring him as an extra forward.

It'd be nice to see:

Lee-Barzal-Wahlstrom
Bellows-Nelson-Beau
Bailey-Pageau-Palmieri
4th line
Parise
Cznarik
Johnston

Pelech-Pulock
Chara-Dobson
Greene-Mayfield
(I really would love to see Salo stay in the lineup, but I don't see that one happening)