Psyched Barzal is back as you guys have been discussing. Hope Romanov gets back soon to. Bolduc concerns me. Wish they gave Wotherspoon a couple spins to see where his game was. of all the depth defenders that played this past year, he seemed to have the most poise back there.
- streaks

Both Wotherspoon and Bolduc are young defenseman we have to expect these guys are going to make some boneheaded plays now and then unfortunately. Christ, Dobson still makes a couple a game. I’m not sticking up for Bolduc but whether it’s him or Wotherspoon in the lineup Monday you can count on Brind’Amour doing everything in his power to exploit whatever pairing either of them are playing on with the last change. It’s inevitable.

Nhl radio has isles winning
- Upstate_isles

There’s quite a few people picking the isles. More then I expected.

Both Wotherspoon and Bolduc are young defenseman we have to expect these guys are going to make some boneheaded plays now and then unfortunately. Christ, Dobson still makes a couple a game. I’m not sticking up for Bolduc but whether it’s him or Wotherspoon in the lineup Monday you can count on Brind’Amour doing everything in his power to exploit whatever pairing either of them are playing on with the last change. It’s inevitable.
- Cptmjl

Obviously Romanov is young and still makes mistakes too. It’s funny how this team has a lot of vet presence up front, but the backend is pretty young. I realize the future is bright for the young D and you need to play them to get experience, but looking back, I’m a little surprised Lou didn’t get a vet dman with the cap he had left.

Both Wotherspoon and Bolduc are young defenseman we have to expect these guys are going to make some boneheaded plays now and then unfortunately. Christ, Dobson still makes a couple a game. I’m not sticking up for Bolduc but whether it’s him or Wotherspoon in the lineup Monday you can count on Brind’Amour doing everything in his power to exploit whatever pairing either of them are playing on with the last change. It’s inevitable.
- Cptmjl

It's very true that young dmen need a lot of games before they become comfortable. I forgot the number of games.

Obviously Romanov is young and still makes mistakes too. It’s funny how this team has a lot of vet presence up front, but the backend is pretty young. I realize the future is bright for the young D and you need to play them to get experience, but looking back, I’m a little surprised Lou didn’t get a vet dman with the cap he had left.
- streaks

Yeah some of us said as much at the trade deadline that a bottom pairing vet D man add was expected due to the lack of depth in case of injury. I don’t remember what was out there but it doesn’t matter. Have to make it with what we have. Just have to hope Romanov is ready to go soon and when he gets back it doesn’t take him long to adjust.

It's very true that young dmen need a lot of games before they become comfortable. I forgot the number of games.
- ses111

I don’t think there’s a set number(I know someone, Potvin?, said something about the number).

Just know it generally takes longer then young fwds to adjust to the NHL game for multiple reasons.

I don’t think there’s a set number(I know someone, Potvin?, said something about the number).

Just know it generally takes longer then young fwds to adjust to the NHL game for multiple reasons.
- Cptmjl

It's tough because just when you think a player like Dobson is putting it all together, he starts struggling. I'd still like to see Lane hire a better defensive coach in the offseason.

There’s quite a few people picking the isles. More then I expected.
- Cptmjl

This guy picks the Canes in 7.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...rs-034341532.html?src=rss

There’s quite a few people picking the isles. More then I expected.
- Cptmjl

Better goalie and the canes haven't been great and struggle to score

This guy picks the Canes in 7.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...rs-034341532.html?src=rss
- JohnScammo

Screw that guy.

Better goalie and the canes haven't been great and struggle to score
- Upstate_isles

Yep especially since Svenchnikov went out. Not trying to get too ahead of myself but I think we have a legit shot. We make it past the Canes then we either face the Rangers or Devils. I believe we match up pretty well to the Rangers.

Screw that guy.
- Cptmjl

It's very true that young dmen need a lot of games before they become comfortable. I forgot the number of games.
- ses111

Rule of thumb is that it takes 300 NHL games for the average NHL defender to figure their poop out.

Rule of thumb is that it takes 300 NHL games for the average NHL defender to figure their poop out.
- Wildschwein

Thanks schwein! It's really tough today for dmen with the speed and skill in the game.

Nelson line has been good and 3rd line can chip in but if that line can click they have a chance. Canes speed and forecheck still scares me but to me that line us the key
- Upstate_isles

I would agree that this line needs to step up. I think the real key is going to SOROKIN. He has to be elite.

Rule of thumb is that it takes 300 NHL games for the average NHL defender to figure their poop out.
- Wildschwein

Yea the defenseman seem to take the longest to adjust to the NHL. Very rare that guy come right in and light the place on fire.

Thanks schwein! It's really tough today for dmen with the speed and skill in the game.
- ses111

Defenders now need that speed and skill whereas years ago they could get by with good positional play. Not so much anymore if a defenseman doesn’t couple that positional play with some speed they more often then not wind up being a traffic cone. Game has certainly evolved over the years.

Maintenance day for Martin today will play game 1 as per Lambert. Bailey was on the fourth line again at practice.

Defenders now need that speed and skill whereas years ago they could get by with good positional play. Not so much anymore if a defenseman doesn’t couple that positional play with some speed they more often then not wind up being a traffic cone. Game has certainly evolved over the years.
- Cptmjl

I was hoping Salo showed more this year, but again it takes a lot of games to get comfortable and Salo did not get a long look.

Isles match up in the forwards pretty well with no patchiorety or svech, wingers are close and our centers are probably better. Their d is much better and burns and skeji both have 20 goals, where we are way better is in net. Their pp is 20th and pk 2nd and we know our pp sucks but our pk should hold up. Our d is solid but I think their speed will give it fits and force turnovers. Gotta make good outlets and clear it when they can. This is where barzals possession and ability to skate with the puck are huge for us

Isles match up in the forwards pretty well with no patchiorety or svech, wingers are close and our centers are probably better. Their d is much better and burns and skeji both have 20 goals, where we are way better is in net. Their pp is 20th and pk 2nd and we know our pp sucks but our pk should hold up. Our d is solid but I think their speed will give it fits and force turnovers. Gotta make good outlets and clear it when they can. This is where barzals possession and ability to skate with the puck are huge for us
- Upstate_isles

So we win right?

So we win right?
- Cptmjl

I think we can and have the best chance for an upset. Canes were 9 8 1 over their last 18 and lost to some bad teams like Ottawa, Nashville and Buffalo although so did the isles. I think its gonna be 6 or 7 games to find a winner, will it be us idk

I think we can and have the best chance for an upset. Canes were 9 8 1 over their last 18 and lost to some bad teams like Ottawa, Nashville and Buffalo although so did the isles. I think its gonna be 6 or 7 games to find a winner, will it be us idk
- Upstate_isles

Probably, but we need to play like we did against Montreal and not like we did against Washington. We have to show up. We do that we have a legitimate chance. They come out gripping their sticks and skating around like they’re high on ludes like we know they are capable of doing it’ll be a quick series. If they can keep their heads on straight and stay focused we can beat them. They should have some additional motivation after being called out by their coach and getting swept by them a few years ago.

Probably, but we need to play like we did against Montreal and not like we did against Washington. We have to show up. We do that we have a legitimate chance. They come out gripping their sticks and skating around like they’re high on ludes like we know they are capable of doing it’ll be a quick series. If they can keep their heads on straight and stay focused we can beat them. They should have some additional motivation after being called out by their coach and getting swept by them a few years ago.
- Cptmjl

They should be fired up being the playoffs and play like they did vs tampa and the Habs. They have experience so I think they will be ready

Probably, but we need to play like we did against Montreal and not like we did against Washington. We have to show up. We do that we have a legitimate chance. They come out gripping their sticks and skating around like they’re high on ludes like we know they are capable of doing it’ll be a quick series. If they can keep their heads on straight and stay focused we can beat them. They should have some additional motivation after being called out by their coach and getting swept by them a few years ago.
- Cptmjl

Islanders need an early lead in game 1. They need some confidence against the Canes. It's a different team but still enough players left from the last series against the Canes.