lets play the game 1st...... Georgie showed he was serviceable with Shesty out. Not everything is the end of the world.
- mdw7413

Maybe Georgiev asked to play so he could fight Tony tonight

Maybe Georgiev asked to play so he could fight Tony tonight
- TPC

Seems like the Rangers are doing (the reverse of) what the Islanders are doing. Start your #1 against the weaker team to do your best to guarantee a win and play the backup against the better team so the worst case for the weekend is a wash. Isles have Sorokin going tonight against the Yotes and Varly tomo against the Leafs
- eichiefs9

Yeah. I mean these games aren't that important as long as they get a playoff spot. If they lose you think anyone is going to look back and say, damn remember that game against Carolina on January 21, we should just give up now.

Maybe Georgiev asked to play so he could fight Tony tonight
- TPC

Yeah. I mean these games aren't that important as long as they get a playoff spot. If they lose you think anyone is going to look back and say, damn remember that game against Carolina on January 21, we should just give up now.
- mdw7413

Yeah I think it just comes down to statistically hedging against having back to backs and getting either 1 or 0 points. The amount that Shesterkin increases their chances of beating the Yotes is probably greater than the likelihood he increases your chances of beating Carolina. Basically guarantee the two points against ARI and then an OT/SO loss to CAR makes it a solid weekend. Worst case you split.

Yeah I think it just comes down to statistically hedging against having back to backs and getting either 1 or 0 points. The amount that Shesterkin increases their chances of beating the Yotes is probably greater than the likelihood he increases your chances of beating Carolina. Basically guarantee the two points against ARI and then an OT/SO loss to CAR makes it a solid weekend. Worst case you split.
- eichiefs9

And then degens like me bet on the 3 way ML against the Yotes lol.

Yeah I think it just comes down to statistically hedging against having back to backs and getting either 1 or 0 points. The amount that Shesterkin increases their chances of beating the Yotes is probably greater than the likelihood he increases your chances of beating Carolina. Basically guarantee the two points against ARI and then an OT/SO loss to CAR makes it a solid weekend. Worst case you split.
- eichiefs9

Exactly

Yeah I think it just comes down to statistically hedging against having back to backs and getting either 1 or 0 points. The amount that Shesterkin increases their chances of beating the Yotes is probably greater than the likelihood he increases your chances of beating Carolina. Basically guarantee the two points against ARI and then an OT/SO loss to CAR makes it a solid weekend. Worst case you split.
- eichiefs9

i dont know. you have to ice your best team in probably the most important game of the season.... don't you? This is another litmus test game. Georgi has proven himself but he is definitely no shesty

i dont know. you have to ice your best team in probably the most important game of the season.... don't you? This is another litmus test game. Georgi has proven himself but he is definitely no shesty
- picklerick

If they were fighting for a playoff spot I would agree about it being so important. I do agree the game is important but they are not in a life or death situation right now.

i dont know. you have to ice your best team in probably the most important game of the season.... don't you? This is another litmus test game. Georgi has proven himself but he is definitely no shesty
- picklerick

what makes this the most important game of the season?

If they were fighting for a playoff spot I would agree about it being so important. I do agree the game is important but they are not in a life or death situation right now.
- JRR1285

I get that but it seems like whenever a situation like this occurs we go with Georgi and i can't really wrap my head around starting Georgi vs the best team in the league and Shesty vs the worst. I saw the point about hedging but like... give me a break , you want to win both and Georgi could win a game against ARI no problem

what makes this the most important game of the season?
- Greschnergy#4

Well, as we progress there will more "most important games of the season", but this is our first game against CAR and it is another big test for us. They are a division rival and arguably the best team in the league

I get that but it seems like whenever a situation like this occurs we go with Georgi and i can't really wrap my head around starting Georgi vs the best team in the league and Shesty vs the worst. I saw the point about hedging but like... give me a break , you want to win both and Georgi could win a game against ARI no problem
- picklerick

I agree with you but I get the safe choice people are theorizing about too. 2 points is better than none.

I agree with you but I get the safe choice people are theorizing about too. 2 points is better than none.
- JRR1285

i don't see how this is the logical (safe) choice practically or theoretically. Any nhl caliber goalie should be good enough to give you a better than average change to win against ARI. Said a different way, I don't see how Georgi would lose the game for us against them. Shesty is a world beater who you'd think should play against a great team

i dont know. you have to ice your best team in probably the most important game of the season.... don't you? This is another litmus test game. Georgi has proven himself but he is definitely no shesty
- picklerick

I don't think it's an especially "important" game. Obviously every game is important, but we're in the dog days of hockey season right now. If this were a game in April that had effect on playoff seeding (or getting in vs. missing)...totally different story.

I don't think it's an especially "important" game. Obviously every game is important, but we're in the dog days of hockey season right now. If this were a game in April that had effect on playoff seeding (or getting in vs. missing)...totally different story.
- eichiefs9

important from a confidence level and momentum standpoint, not a playoff one. maybe you forgot what important games feel like

i don't see how this is the logical (safe) choice practically or theoretically. Any nhl caliber goalie should be good enough to give you a better than average change to win against ARI. Said a different way, I don't see how Georgi would lose the game for us against them. Shesty is a world beater who you'd think should play against a great team
- picklerick

I don't disagree with you at all. If it were me I would roll with Shesty through both games. Maybe Gallant wants to see what Georgiev looks like against a truly competent team. Maybe they are showcasing him for a trade. I have no idea and it's impossible to make actual sense of it.

Maybe Georgiev asked to play so he could fight Tony tonight
- TPC

We've seen how much better Georgiev is when he gets to play. I'm sure he is relishing this opportunity.
We didn't look too hot against Toronto to start, but turned it around.
Like someone else said, let's play the game before expecting a loss.

Yeah I think it just comes down to statistically hedging against having back to backs and getting either 1 or 0 points. The amount that Shesterkin increases their chances of beating the Yotes is probably greater than the likelihood he increases your chances of beating Carolina. Basically guarantee the two points against ARI and then an OT/SO loss to CAR makes it a solid weekend. Worst case you split.
- eichiefs9

You smart

important from a confidence level and momentum standpoint, not a playoff one. maybe you forgot what important games feel like
- picklerick

I don't know. I don't think this game matters much to the players as much as the fans. Sure it would be great to win, but I don't think its terribly important for standings or players psyche

I havent seen it.......yet. Most here make excuses for him. I have not seen eye popping talent like we saw with Fox right out of the shoot (I realize there is a huge age difference) I mean the dude was picked 1st overall.


Hype > Laff
- Greschnergy#4

I don't think it's making excuses. Why is anything being asked of him at this point? We are winning, we don't need him to be the hot, new superstar. It's not like we took a swing at some dark horse prospect. He was the choice that 31 teams were going to select if they had 1OA. We did nothing wrong. Moaning that he isn't better is ludicrous. (not directed at you, just responding to this comment to join the conversation)
As for an assessment, I'd just say that he doesn't show any glaring weaknesses, but skating should be the focus of improvement short term. He doesn't stand out as bad, just isn't ready to score at this level yet. One thing that has stood out is that his shot release is elite. That is why I think he will find success eventually.

I’m in the minority with this opinion, but I like the path of development both Kakko and Laf are on. They’re not lighting it up on the scoresheet, but that’s not the game they’ve been asked to play. They both are learning the intricacies of a complete game, something that is not commonly picked up by young players early on.

They both need to work on foot speed and driving to the net, but they’re hockey IQs are off the charts. They both play really good secondary roles for the team, which I assume is the reason some fans are down on both (they want the flash/dazzle dazzle)
- Bean_Dip

So,... what he said.

important from a confidence level and momentum standpoint, not a playoff one. maybe you forgot what important games feel like
- picklerick

If I've already forgotten what important games feel like than that means you most certainly have forgotten what a playoff win feels like



Also every game right now is important for the Isles so

I don't think it's making excuses. Why is anything being asked of him at this point? We are winning, we don't need him to be the hot, new superstar. It's not like we took a swing at some dark horse prospect. He was the choice that 31 teams were going to select if they had 1OA. We did nothing wrong. Moaning that he isn't better is ludicrous. (not directed at you, just responding to this comment to join the conversation)
As for an assessment, I'd just say that he doesn't show any glaring weaknesses, but skating should be the focus of improvement short term. He doesn't stand out as bad, just isn't ready to score at this level yet. One thing that has stood out is that his shot release is elite. That is why I think he will find success eventually.
- Tonybere

Right- its like we are jinxed

even when we get the first pick it doesnt work out ( or the 2nd)

If I've already forgotten what important games feel like than that means you most certainly have forgotten what a playoff win feels like



Also every game right now is important for the Isles so


- eichiefs9

You scoundrel