Ben Shelley: Islanders will face Capitals in first round

Isles in 5.

Isles in 5.
- Blackstrom2

Seriously?

"Check back for more articles previewing the series in the coming days."

I sure hope Bens next writing assignment is more than 150 words.

Seriously?
- Puckin_Island

Maybe 4.

Caps suck. Unless they have some secret switch, ya'll will see.

Round robin doesn't mean much those teams didn't want to get hurt and weren't going 100%

"Check back for more articles previewing the series in the coming days."

I sure hope Bens next writing assignment is more than 150 words.
- Puckin_Island

I mean, I think it's fair to post an article with a quick update when there's something newsworthy and leave analysis for later. It's not always possible to drop everything and take the time to write a longer, in-depth article right away, hence the note that those will come soon.

I mean, I think it's fair to post an article with a quick update when there's something newsworthy and leave analysis for later. It's not always possible to drop everything and take the time to write a longer, in-depth article right away, hence the note that those will come soon.
- Ben Shelley

I was joking. I should have put a


Enjoy your articles. Keep them coming.

I mean, I think it's fair to post an article with a quick update when there's something newsworthy and leave analysis for later. It's not always possible to drop everything and take the time to write a longer, in-depth article right away, hence the note that those will come soon.
- Ben Shelley

Appreciate all you do, Ben. You provide great insight and keeps us engaged.

Johnny B back. Glad to read. Hope he’s back in lineup for game 1. I don’t always like his clear attempts (sometimes he just throw the puck up the wall) but like his toughness and locker room presence. Pretty sure he’s a guy that calms the room. Just my opinion of course. I know some prefer Greene. Not me. I prefer a R stick on that side

I mean, I think it's fair to post an article with a quick update when there's something newsworthy and leave analysis for later. It's not always possible to drop everything and take the time to write a longer, in-depth article right away, hence the note that those will come soon.
- Ben Shelley

Thanks Ben, looking forward to the blog addressing the Islanders changing their structure and game plan because the Capitals have Tom Wilson.
Really OV, Oshie, Kunetsov, Backstrom etc. have no real bearing on the Caps success.

That said do you think Barry will sit Barzal, JGP and Beau for Ross, MK and Uncle Leo so that Tom Wilson can’t hurt them?

Johnny B back. Glad to read. Hope he’s back in lineup for game 1. I don’t always like his clear attempts (sometimes he just throw the puck up the wall) but like his toughness and locker room presence. Pretty sure he’s a guy that calms the room. Just my opinion of course. I know some prefer Greene. Not me. I prefer a R stick on that side
- streaks

Agreed

Thanks Ben, looking forward to the blog addressing the Islanders changing their structure and game plan because the Capitals have Tom Wilson.
Really OV, Oshie, Kunetsov, Backstrom etc. have no real bearing on the Caps success.

That said do you think Barry will sit Barzal, JGP and Beau for Ross, MK and Uncle Leo so that Tom Wilson can’t hurt them?
- nyisles7

Nothing that dramatic. How about just putting Ross in as protection?

Nothing that dramatic. How about just putting Ross in as protection?

- Puckin_Island

On every line?

How about just playing Islander hockey and (frank) Tom Wilson. Caps have more explosive players to worry about than Tom Wilson

Thanks Ben, looking forward to the blog addressing the Islanders changing their structure and game plan because the Capitals have Tom Wilson.
Really OV, Oshie, Kunetsov, Backstrom etc. have no real bearing on the Caps success.

That said do you think Barry will sit Barzal, JGP and Beau for Ross, MK and Uncle Leo so that Tom Wilson can’t hurt them?
- nyisles7

Let’s not get silly 7. I don’t think it’s that outlandish to put Ross in for MM. The “slap shot“ days of the fourth line hitting everyone that moves are far removed, or so it seems to me. I miss those days, I used to laugh at how physical those three were, literally hit everything on the ice and multiple times. Now they’re older and slower and not as effective. I don’t think the chemistry is nearly what it was. I’d put in Ross. With that said, I’m not making $4M to coach this team so I’ll trust whatever Trorz decides.

Older, and MM is a lame duck. The last thing he needs is an injury.

Appreciate all you do, Ben. You provide great insight and keeps us engaged.
- streaks

Thanks for reading!

Let’s not get silly 7. I don’t think it’s that outlandish to put Ross in for MM. The “slap shot“ days of the fourth line hitting everyone that moves are far removed, or so it seems to me. I miss those days, I used to laugh at how physical those three were, literally hit everything on the ice and multiple times. Now they’re older and slower and not as effective. I don’t think the chemistry is nearly what it was. I’d put in Ross. With that said, I’m not making $4M to coach this team so I’ll trust whatever Trorz decides.
- streaks

Just Hockey Buzz exaggeration
If Ross goes in he’s going in on the 3rd line. The 4th line isn’t getting changed and why would it? I would like the reason after watching them against Florida where they spent considerable time on the ice against Barkov and played well.
That said if Ross comes in on the 4th line Tom Wilson isn’t going to finish a hit on Barzal, Beau, or JGP. That’s (frank)ing BS, come on.
These smaller talented guys have been targeted their whole lives and let me tell you under 18 and Jr’s is far worse then the NHL when it comes to dirty shat. They have dealt with far worse than Tom Wilson and they will be fine.
Barry will ice the team he thinks will perform Best against the Caps to play their game and not adjust lines because Tom Wilson is a big guy who finishes his checks. Just my opinion

Btw I think Trotz gets 5 mil per. If not, he’s under paid!

Columbus just scored again to go up by 2 goals with 7 minutes to go in the 3rd.

Just Hockey Buzz exaggeration
If Ross goes in he’s going in on the 3rd line. The 4th line isn’t getting changed and why would it? I would like the reason after watching them against Florida where they spent considerable time on the ice against Barkov and played well.
That said if Ross comes in on the 4th line Tom Wilson isn’t going to finish a hit on Barzal, Beau, or JGP. That’s (frank)ing BS, come on.
These smaller talented guys have been targeted their whole lives and let me tell you under 18 and Jr’s is far worse then the NHL when it comes to dirty shat. They have dealt with far worse than Tom Wilson and they will be fine.
Barry will ice the team he thinks will perform Best against the Caps to play their game and not adjust lines because Tom Wilson is a big guy who finishes his hits. Just my opinion

Btw I think Trotz gets 5 mil per. If not, he’s under paid!
- nyisles7

Tom Wilson is 6.4’ 240 lbs so not sure the “smaller” guys have dealt w more than that. With that said, I agree they can handle themselves and will be aware of his presence on the ice. Regarding the fourth line, I don’t think swapping Ross for Mm changes much of the current chemistry. Two years ago and longer, yes definitely. Just don’t see them containing and hemming teams in their zone like their glory days. We’ll see what $5m trotz decides.

Columbus just scored again to go up by 2 goals with 7 minutes to go in the 3rd.


- JohnScammo

Upstate better not do the end zone celly again before the clock ticks zero. No spiking the ball until you cross the goal line.

Upstate better not do the end zone celly again before the clock ticks zero. No spiking the ball until you cross the goal line.
- streaks

I am keeping an eye on the Toronto board just to make sure Upstate doesn't show up there prematurely.

Columbus just scored again to go up by 2 goals with 7 minutes to go in the 3rd.


- JohnScammo

I'd rather they win tonight than have a shot at #1. They don't look like much of a threat to win the cup.

I'd rather they win tonight than have a shot at #1. They don't look like much of a threat to win the cup.
- JimmyP

In that case, Toronto is just where they need to be. Down by 2 with less than 3 minutes to go.