Eh, I'm not sure how much is age. Parise and Pageau are two of the "older" players and most nights they look like they're putting more into it than anyone else. These guys all know the stakes better than we do and I don't think they're going out there saying, "Hey, let's just not try tonight." There's just something that kicks players up to that other level when it really matters, and sometimes the Isles can find it, and sometimes they can't. It's not like Pitt and Fla haven't struggled with that very same thing, so, yeah, I guess whoever solves that mystery will get in.
- UIF

We have to be honest UIF, this is a stale roster. These problems just did not crop up. This is a roster lacking in speed and skill. Maybe Lane is not the answer, but this roster does not appear to be the answer either.

Agree, but Lee is an example of an older player who (Stop reading, Wildschwein!) looks old and slow. He is still pretty effective around the crease and along the boards, but he has trouble getting back on D. He was never a very fast skater, but since his surgery a couple years ago, he seems even slower. He has 27 goals, but is -5 in the +/- category, tied for 2nd worst on the team. Only Bo Horvat is worse at -7 since his arrival on Long Island. (Talk about disappointing!)
- JohnScammo

Yeah, Lee might be a player who's slowed down a bit, but then you look at Nelson, who's an older player and is playing the best hockey of his career. I just think it goes beyond age with the Isles. When the team's on...be it this year or three years ago...it comes at the other team in waves and looks relentless. When it's off, they can't complete two passes and can't win any 50/50 battles. And it's not like the problem of figuring out how to get the team to flip that switch only materialized this season or even last season.

Yeah, Lee might be a player who's slowed down a bit, but then you look at Nelson, who's an older player and is playing the best hockey of his career. I just think it goes beyond age with the Isles. When the team's on...be it this year or three years ago...it comes at the other team in waves and looks relentless. When it's off, they can't complete two passes and can't win any 50/50 battles. And it's not like the problem of figuring out how to get the team to flip that switch only materialized this season or even last season.
- UIF

This team seems to be a system type team and if anything is off then the team will struggle. This team was obviously a few years younger during the playoff runs. They also had the pause and bubble that was a huge help and Leddy and Toews were big in terms of skating the puck out of trouble. Outside the two playoff runs, this team struggled under Barry as well.

This team seems to be a system type team and if anything is off then the team will struggle. This team was obviously a few years younger during the playoff runs. They also had the pause and bubble that was a huge help and Leddy and Toews were big in terms of skating the puck out of trouble. Outside the two playoff runs, this team struggled under Barry as well.
- ses111

Yep, and even during those runs, there were really low lows during the regular seasons where it looked like they might not have even made it in if not for the shortened seasons. I don't disagree with you that a shakeup would do the team good, but I think that ship has sailed. They're committed to this core for many more years and spent all their assets to make this current team better. If they're going to find a way to be better, it has to be these guys who figure it out.

Yep, and even during those runs, there were really low lows during the regular seasons where it looked like they might not have even made it in if not for the shortened seasons. I don't disagree with you that a shakeup would do the team good, but I think that ship has sailed. They're committed to this core for many more years and spent all their assets to make this current team better. If they're going to find a way to be better, it has to be these guys who figure it out.
- UIF

After the Bo trade, the Islanders have to hope they can clear more salary and discover the secret to signing better UFA's this offseason. Trading could be tough at this point. Hopefully Bo finds his game and the team can still make the playoffs.

The Islanders took no slight against Brind’Amour for what he said.

“I don’t take that as an insult,” veteran winger Zach Parise told amNewYork. “I don’t think he’d be taking a shot at us, either. We played hard and we competed. I wouldn’t say they ‘out-desperated’ us by any means.”

Maybe that's part of the problem. For anyone who watched the game, it looked for all the world like the urgency you'd expect wasn't quite there. But the players feel like it was.

The Islanders took no slight against Brind’Amour for what he said.

“I don’t take that as an insult,” veteran winger Zach Parise told amNewYork. “I don’t think he’d be taking a shot at us, either. We played hard and we competed. I wouldn’t say they ‘out-desperated’ us by any means.”

Maybe that's part of the problem. For anyone who watched the game, it looked for all the world like the urgency you'd expect wasn't quite there. But the players feel like it was.
- UIF

I did not see the game, but all comments seem to indicate a lack of urgency. This Canes team does seem to make the Islanders look very bad. That sweep during the playoffs was a prime example. Tampa and the Canes are in the Islanders head at this point.

The Islanders took no slight against Brind’Amour for what he said.

“I don’t take that as an insult,” veteran winger Zach Parise told amNewYork. “I don’t think he’d be taking a shot at us, either. We played hard and we competed. I wouldn’t say they ‘out-desperated’ us by any means.”

Maybe that's part of the problem. For anyone who watched the game, it looked for all the world like the urgency you'd expect wasn't quite there. But the players feel like it was.
- UIF

Been saying a while there may be something going on internally with the club. That’s based on observations and speculation and nothing else of course. But when you watch zero response the last couple of years and the complete mailing it in some games it screams it imo. Parise for all the respect I have for the guy should have been able to come clean so to speak and said there wasn’t enough urgency in our game. There wasn’t. He should be able to acknowledge that.

Agree, but Lee is an example of an older player who (Stop reading, Wildschwein!) looks old and slow. He is still pretty effective around the crease and along the boards, but he has trouble getting back on D. He was never a very fast skater, but since his surgery a couple years ago, he seems even slower. He has 27 goals, but is -5 in the +/- category, tied for 2nd worst on the team. Only Bo Horvat is worse at -7 since his arrival on Long Island. (Talk about disappointing!)
- JohnScammo

Didn’t know +/- counts. Kinda like FO no?

Been saying the same thing for years. Team is a joke from a talent level. Slow and lacking urgency. Horrible creativity. When they do get good looks they are often not buried due to the skill set of the guy holding the stick. I think Barzal and Horvat will be a good tandem for a while but after that...........blow it up. What they did with Trotz was incredible for a team of grinders but that style is exhausting and eventually the players lose interest. Lou must go after this season. Im shocked if we cant get a young GM looking to prove himself in a new building and in New York.

Liking the Pittsburgh game thus far.

Liking the Pittsburgh game thus far.
- Wildschwein

Not so much on the Sabres-Panthers game, though

Devils are doing a us a solid...Sabers not dominant enough in the cat battle so far.

Not so much on the Sabres-Panthers game, though
- keaner17

Need the Sabres to step it up in the third.

Edit; (frank)

Not so much on the Sabres-Panthers game, though
- keaner17

True.

Though if I had to pick whether I’d rather the Panthers or Penguins to win tonight, I guess I’d rather it be the Panthers.

And the Penguins lose in regulation.

But Florida wins in regulation.

But Florida wins in regulation.
- JohnScammo

Super tight now. Control their own destiny with the last WC spot would more then likely have to win the remaining four games to have a shot at the first.

Not earning at least a split over the weekend has put the pressure on the Isles. One slip not and it is all over.

Super tight now. Control their own destiny with the last WC spot would more then likely have to win the remaining four games to have a shot at the first.
- Cptmjl

They should be able to go 3-1 in the last four. Key words are SHOULD BE. Hopefully the home games are an advantage.

They should be able to go 3-1 in the last four. Key words are SHOULD BE. Hopefully the home games are an advantage.
- Nfdbulldawg

After last season and this one I feel like the crowd is a double edged sword for them. It doesn’t take much for the wind to be taken out of the home crowds sails and once that happens I feel like the team performs accordingly.

If the crowd is humming they definitely feed off of it but if they’re not and the crowd gets down on them(which they do pretty quick this season imo)the team turns into what we watched over the weekend.

Been to quite a few games this season.

They should be able to go 3-1 in the last four. Key words are SHOULD BE. Hopefully the home games are an advantage.
- Nfdbulldawg

My guess is they will go 2-2.

My guess is they will go 2-2.
- JimmyP

Agree

Agree
- keaner17

Probably my mistake but I’m going to go with these guys will play a little more inspired hockey and go 3-1. I’m prepared to be wrong.

Probably my mistake but I’m going to go with these guys will play a little more inspired hockey and go 3-1. I’m prepared to be wrong.
- Cptmjl

Yea 4 0 is acceptable