Ben Shelley: Islanders beat Senators 4-1

One of the lone bright spots of this season has been the emergence of Wally.

With the team fully healthy, Lou should begin his evaluation on how to add scoring to Barzal's side. Has Dobson matured enough to replace Leddy's Role? Is Salo one of the defenseman to earn a full time role with the team? Who rounds out #6. Will the Isles keep Varly as the fall further and further out of the playoffs picture.

Isles defense contributed 13 shot’s on goal, team total 30 to out shoot Ottawa.
Isles were out hit 35 to 25.
Let’s go for the back to back wins at home.


John Tonelli for HOF

Another Bright spot of this season was the emergence of Bellows and Salo... you know until they got scratched for Chara & Bailey.

Isles defense contributed 13 shot’s on goal, team total 30 to out shoot Ottawa.
Isles were out hit 35 to 25.
Let’s go for the back to back wins at home.


John Tonelli for HOF
- Tee56

They HAVE to win games against sub par teams.

They HAVE to win games against sub par teams.
- niteislander

The problem is that I believe they have zero points this season against the top 7 teams in the East. I don't recall them even picking up a loser point against these top 7 teams. In order to make up enough ground to sneak into the playoffs, they need to start beating these teams. Continuing to beat only the lousy/mediocre teams will only reduce the likelihood of getting a top draft pick.

The problem is that I believe they have zero points this season against the top 7 teams in the East. I don't recall them even picking up a loser point against these top 7 teams. In order to make up enough ground to sneak into the playoffs, they need to start beating these teams. Continuing to beat only the lousy/mediocre teams will only reduce the likelihood of getting a top draft pick.
- JohnScammo

I don't look at how many games back they are or who is ahead of them.. I look instead at points b/c we are always trailing in games. They finally have their starting top D-men playing and if they can win a few games in a row... they could start to build confidence to beat the better teams. A lot of those losses were when we had an AHL line up... or at the very least did not have Pulock. They have 38 points right now.. if they get to 98 they are in the playoffs. I don't care what the teams above them do. they should be in the playoffs ... so they have to get 60 points in 38 games

https://www.nhl.com/islan...rs/schedule/2022-02-01/ET go through their remaining games and tell me they can't easily do it.

60 points..

CBJ 2, Seattle 2, Buffalo 2, Habs 2, Ottawa, Devils, Det, and Flyers 1... Win those games and u are down to 40 points needed.

40 points in 44 games against "good teams" is certainly doable if they start playing right way.. so while I don't think we win every game against the Avs, Rangers, caps, etc.. .we can certainly do a little better than .500 ..no? Just can't lose to the bad teams and need to start getting points from good teams.

The PP goal in first period last night.. I would make them watch this on tape all day. Throw it at net with a crowd crashing the crease and jam it in.. it's really not that friggin hard. You don't have to feather 5 passed through 6 sticks to try to find the perfect pass/shot.

So we’re making the playoffs again? Awesome I’m back on board till we lose again then I’m jumping off a ledge. Fire trotz can Lou.

So we’re making the playoffs again? Awesome I’m back on board till we lose again then I’m jumping off a ledge. Fire trotz can Lou.
- Cptmjl

After tonight we might not make playoffs again

The PP goal in first period last night.. I would make them watch this on tape all day. Throw it at net with a crowd crashing the crease and jam it in.. it's really not that friggin hard. You don't have to feather 5 passed through 6 sticks to try to find the perfect pass/shot.
- niteislander

I'm going to go out on a limb and say scoring goals in the NHL is pretty friggin hard

After tonight we might not make playoffs again
- kasperrko

I reserve the right to change my mind if we lose tonight and go back to jumping off the ledge.

They HAVE to win games against sub par teams.
- niteislander

The issue of making or not making should not be any fans make or break when it comes to following your team. Where there high expectation this year? Yes. But
we all know jumping off the ledge or on and off the band wagon is a not the solution.

Every fan of every team out there has wanted to fire their coaches from the Hall of Fames on down to the high school coaches for the smallest of reasons.

For those having harsh words for Lou and Trotz. I give you a list of their predecessors:
Darcy Regier; Mike Milbury; Don Maloney; Neil Smith; Garth Snow.
Lou has been the first real respected GM the Islanders have had since Torrey.

And Trotz has been the best thing for the franchise since Arbour. Everyone knows it.

However, when you expect a lot out of your team or do not always agree with their decisions on players and/or playing time. The frustration comes out.

I do not view any of the previous comments about as ledge jumps or voting Lou and Trotz off the island. I view it as passionate fans wanting to see their team do better.

What makes this board interesting are the different and yes at times the crazy views.

The issue of making or not making should not be any fans make or break when it comes to following your team. Where there high expectation this year? Yes. But
we all know jumping off the ledge or on and off the band wagon is a not the solution.

Every fan of every team out there has wanted to fire their coaches from the Hall of Fames on down to the high school coaches for the smallest of reasons.

For those having harsh words for Lou and Trotz. I give you a list of their predecessors:
Darcy Regier; Mike Milbury; Don Maloney; Neil Smith; Garth Snow.
Lou has been the first real respected GM the Islanders have had since Torrey.

And Trotz has been the best thing for the franchise since Arbour. Everyone knows it.

However, when you expect a lot out of your team or do not always agree with their decisions on players and/or playing time. The frustration comes out.

I do not view any of the previous comments about as ledge jumps or voting Lou and Trotz off the island. I view it as passionate fans wanting to see their team do better.

What makes this board interesting are the different and yes at times the crazy views.
- Nfdbulldawg

Darcy Regier????

I don't look at how many games back they are or who is ahead of them.. I look instead at points b/c we are always trailing in games. They finally have their starting top D-men playing and if they can win a few games in a row... they could start to build confidence to beat the better teams. A lot of those losses were when we had an AHL line up... or at the very least did not have Pulock. They have 38 points right now.. if they get to 98 they are in the playoffs. I don't care what the teams above them do. they should be in the playoffs ... so they have to get 60 points in 38 games

https://www.nhl.com/islan...rs/schedule/2022-02-01/ET go through their remaining games and tell me they can't easily do it.
- niteislander

They can't easily do it. I'm not saying it's impossible. I would love to be wrong. But watching their games against the better teams, I don't see them competing effectively..........for whatever reason.

They can't easily do it. I'm not saying it's impossible. I would love to be wrong. But watching their games against the better teams, I don't see them competing effectively..........for whatever reason.
- JohnScammo

I can't believe you're saying to fire Barry and can Lou.

I can't believe you're saying to fire Barry and can Lou.
- streaks

No he was saying to can Barry and fire Lou

Our AHL goalie is lighting it up. Could be the 1-2 of the future with Sorokin? Maybe they trade Varly for Offensive help?

Our AHL goalie is lighting it up. Could be the 1-2 of the future with Sorokin? Maybe they trade Varly for Offensive help?
- LItransplant44

He had a good month, let's slow down with that. He's not playing in the NHL next year unless everyone gets hurt

Also, Varlamov isn't worth much right now, he's been mostly bad this year

No he was saying to can Barry and fire Lou
- eichiefs9

I believe he’s saying he recognizes the interior of your mouth from a glory hole he used to frequent.

I believe he’s saying he recognizes the interior of your mouth from a glory hole he used to frequent.
- Cptmjl

He also knows that your schlong tastes like Huggies

He also knows that your schlong tastes like Huggies
- eichiefs9

He also knows that your schlong tastes like Huggies
- eichiefs9