Ben Shelley: Game 1 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers

I don't understand 32 on the third line either, but it's better than Komarov. Maybe we'll see some chemistry develop, but it seems a bit early to throw Johnston into a scoring role.

Trotz is hoping the 4th line will return to their old self by keeping MM in. Lets hope....

Prediction: If the offense doesn't show up for game 1, big changes will follow. In exhibition, Fla looked like they were playing for the lottery. Isles should have no roblem scoring 4 or 5 goals.

Ross isn't playing for his offense, I believe he's playing to offer protection for the Islanders if things get feisty. Just having him on the ice keeps the other team honest and allows our skill players to feel more confident.

Ross isn't playing for his offense, I believe he's playing to offer protection for the Islanders if things get feisty. Just having him on the ice keeps the other team honest and allows our skill players to feel more confident.

Then why is Martin in? If Ross is in, Martin is out and bellows is in for me.

Ross isn't playing for his offense, I believe he's playing to offer protection for the Islanders if things get feisty. Just having him on the ice keeps the other team honest and allows our skill players to feel more confident.

Then why is Martin in? If Ross is in, Martin is out and bellows is in for me.
- hammer460

Yeah, I'm with you. Martin can more than handle anything Fla can bring, so why have both? IMO, Ross is in to try and give Pageau some scoring opportunities. Pags is wasted otherwise. I think Wahlstrom would be a good choice for the 3rd.

Yeah, I'm with you. Martin can more than handle anything Fla can bring, so why have both? IMO, Ross is in to try and give Pageau some scoring opportunities. Pags is wasted otherwise. I think Wahlstrom would be a good choice for the 3rd.
- Puckin_Island

- eichiefs9

- eichiefs9

Because Komarov is the better scoring choice.

Some people just watch hockey, others actually understand the game.

Because Komarov is the better scoring choice.

Some people just watch hockey, others actually understand the game.
- Puckin_Island

Komarov is probably no better and perhaps worse than Johnston, true. But saying Johnston is in the lineup primarily to create scoring chances is a bit absurd. He’s in there because he’s big, mean and will (frank) Panthers up in the greasy areas. Any scoring chances that might occur as a result are just a nice little bonus.

Q is putting Huberdeau back with Barkov and Dadonov. Assuming Vatrano just moves to line 2, but haven't heard that for sure.

Komarov is probably no better and perhaps worse than Johnston, true. But saying Johnston is in the lineup primarily to create scoring chances is a bit absurd. He’s in there because he’s big, mean and will (frank) Panthers up in the greasy areas. Any scoring chances that might occur as a result are just a nice little bonus.
- Wildschwein

I disagree. Who on Fla is Ross protecting the Islanders from? They are one of the softest teams in the NHL. Matt can handle them, no problem. Trotz is high on Ross, and I see why. You guys see him as a big goon because you don't watch his work along the boards, how fast he gets down the ice, his wrist shot, clean passes, etc. You can't get past the 'big goon' image.

With Pageau, who would you rather have..

Screening the net?
working the wall?
driving the net?
Getting back to help on defense?

Hands down, it's Ross. I just wish Trotz had given him more ice time this year.



There are better choices to add scoring chances. Just look at who was in the lineup during the win/point streak. The replacements were a big part of that streak.

Q is putting Huberdeau back with Barkov and Dadonov. Assuming Vatrano just moves to line 2, but haven't heard that for sure.
- Ratsreign

Johnston is clearly in to give the offense a jump start

I disagree. Who on Fla is Ross protecting the Islanders from? They are one of the softest teams in the NHL. Matt can handle them, no problem. Trotz is high on Ross, and I see why. You guys see him as a big goon because you don't watch his work along the boards, how fast he gets down the ice, his wrist shot, clean passes, etc. You can't get past the 'big goon' image.

With Pageau, who would you rather have..

Screening the net?
working the wall?
driving the net?
Getting back to help on defense?

Hands down, it's Ross. I just wish Trotz had given him more ice time this year.



There are better choices to add scoring chances. Just look at who was in the lineup during the win/point streak. The replacements were a big part of that streak.
- Puckin_Island

I don’t view Johnston as a goon, but rather like Martin. A 4th line energy winger that’s a female dog to play against. But nor do I view him as a scorer.

As to whom I’d rather have as 3LW next to Pageau, well that’d be Bellows.

I don’t view Johnston as a goon, but rather like Martin. A 4th line energy winger that’s a female dog to play against. But nor do I view him as a scorer.

As to whom I’d rather have as 3LW next to Pageau, well that’d be Bellows.
- Wildschwein

Rather than scorer, I should have explained he would/could help his line
mates with scoring. I believe he will develop into a goal scorer, but it will take time. Have you seen his wrist shot?

The one area where Kom is a little better is defensive plays in the D zone, which tells me Ross wasn't inserted for defense. Fla is soft physically, so added 'protection' doesn't seem necessary for this series.

Ross would be better on the 4th, but I think Trotz wants to give MM one more chance. It's possible we see Ross on the 4th next game and someone else come in for Kom.

Someone who can actually talk hockey. Yay for wild.

Johnston is clearly in to give the offense a jump start
- Upstate_isles

Nice to see you come around /sarcasm but lets not get carried away here.

I hate the rangers but I don't want them to get the #1 pick......almost want them to won cause if they do get it they will be awesome in 2 year

I hate the rangers but I don't want them to get the #1 pick......almost want them to won cause if they do get it they will be awesome in 2 year
- Upstate_isles

Agreed. Was thinking the same thing. They’re gonna be good even without the possibility of getting #1. Can’t wait for the shesterkin/sorokin rivalry to begin.

Rather than scorer, I should have explained he would/could help his line
mates with scoring. I believe he will develop into a goal scorer, but it will take time. Have you seen his wrist shot?

The one area where Kom is a little better is defensive plays in the D zone, which tells me Ross wasn't inserted for defense. Fla is soft physically, so added 'protection' doesn't seem necessary for this series.

Ross would be better on the 4th, but I think Trotz wants to give MM one more chance. It's possible we see Ross on the 4th next game and someone else come in for Kom.

Someone who can actually talk hockey. Yay for wild.
- Puckin_Island

I have seen his wrist shot, but I just don’t see what you see. If anything I’d say he tops out as 25 point bottom 6 forward.

As far as Komarov goes, I’d just as soon not see him play at all.

I have seen his wrist shot, but I just don’t see what you see. If anything I’d say he tops out as 25 point bottom 6 forward.

As far as Komarov goes, I’d just as soon not see him play at all.
- Wildschwein

We'll see. I'm not predicting him to be the next Wilson, who started out weak offensively. Look at him now. But Ross has been the better player all year over MM, Kom or even Clutter. The Isles are a team with too many character/pesky guys and not enough go-to-the-net type players. Next year I hope to see Ross settle in with a single line and see what he does.

We'll see. I'm not predicting him to be the next Wilson, who started out weak offensively. Look at him now. But Ross has been the better player all year over MM, Kom or even Clutter. The Isles are a team with too many character/pesky guys and not enough go-to-the-net type players. Next year I hope to see Ross settle in with a single line and see what he does.
- Puckin_Island

Yea they need to drive the net more but you need hands to finish. He's OK but remember Wilson was a 1st round pick so he always had talent

Yea they need to drive the net more but you need hands to finish. He's OK but remember Wilson was a 1st round pick so he always had talent
- Upstate_isles

Exactly. If a number 1 pick took a couple of full schedule years to find his scoring, why expect RJ to be lighting it up after 3 years of spot play? Go check out some of his goals on youtube. He does have puck skill. He just needs stable ice time to develop.

We'll see. I'm not predicting him to be the next Wilson, who started out weak offensively. Look at him now. But Ross has been the better player all year over MM, Kom or even Clutter. The Isles are a team with too many character/pesky guys and not enough go-to-the-net type players. Next year I hope to see Ross settle in with a single line and see what he does.
- Puckin_Island

Trotz must see something in his game, or not enough in the other options games to be giving Ross third line time. I like his game. Hopefully he has a Gordie Howe hatty tonight. One can dream.

Trotz must see something in his game, or not enough in the other options games to be giving Ross third line time. I like his game. Hopefully he has a Gordie Howe hatty tonight. One can dream.
- streaks

Ross has calmed down on the fighting. I hope that continues. We'll see who handles any problems, Ross or MM.