Ben Shelley: Barzal-less Islanders defeat Penguins again to stay in playoff hunt

Thought that Durandeau's play was noticeable in a good way

Thought that Durandeau's play was noticeable in a good way
- nyisles7

Yep. He was good in all three zones and showed some creativity as well. Makes you wonder how/why so many players were called before him

Yep. He was good in all three zones and showed some creativity as well. Makes you wonder how/why so many players were called before him
- keaner17

Good question.

Thought that Durandeau's play was noticeable in a good way
- nyisles7

I was impressed with his play last night but can he continue it is what I question

Barzal out up till 8 weeks according to thefourthperiod.com. No surgery is the good news.

Thought that Durandeau's play was noticeable in a good way
- nyisles7

Despite the consensus that or prospect pool is pretty shallow I have to say the rookies and call ups this season, particularly the forwards, have been pretty solid and haven't shat the bed.

Despite the consensus that or prospect pool is pretty shallow I have to say the rookies and call ups this season, particularly the forwards, have been pretty solid and haven't shat the bed.
- PeteM

Agree. Even on defense, I would consider them to be pretty young. Pulock and Pelech are both 28 and mayfield is the oldest at 30. Dobson, Romanov are only 23 and still developing. Wotherspoon, Salo, Bolduc are all still developing too.

Despite the consensus that or prospect pool is pretty shallow I have to say the rookies and call ups this season, particularly the forwards, have been pretty solid and haven't shat the bed.
- PeteM

Holmstrom has looked good. Would be nice if Wally found his game when he returns.

Despite the consensus that or prospect pool is pretty shallow I have to say the rookies and call ups this season, particularly the forwards, have been pretty solid and haven't shat the bed.
- PeteM

They have fit in but we don't have a guy that's young and a game changer type or highly touted. A lot that have seen Durandeau have thought he would be good at this level

Holmstrom has looked good. Would be nice if Wally found his game when he returns.
- ses111

Are you stupid?

Are you stupid?
- Upstate_isles

Of course I am. Would a smart person still be an Islander fan?

They have fit in but we don't have a guy that's young and a game changer type or highly touted. A lot that have seen Durandeau have thought he would be good at this level
- Upstate_isles

I’m happy most of them have been adequate enough to eat a bit of ice time at the very least minus Dufour. Holmstrom has done what many of these kids do when they are up for an extended period. Taken a step back. Durandeau looked noticeable in a good way last night but I don’t want to get too ahead of myself with that. Hopefully he can keep it up and takes the opportunity in front of him.

With this said I haven’t seen anything that makes our prospect pool look any better then before. Maybe it doesn’t look any worse? I guess that’s a good thing.

Of course I am. Would a smart person still be an Islander fan?
- ses111

I’m happy most of them have been adequate enough to eat a bit of ice time at the very least minus Dufour. Holmstrom has done what many of these kids do when they are up for an extended period. Taken a step back. Durandeau looked noticeable in a good way last night but I don’t want to get too ahead of myself with that. Hopefully he can keep it up and takes the opportunity in front of him.

With this said I haven’t seen anything that makes our prospect pool look any better then before. Maybe it doesn’t look any worse? I guess that’s a good thing.
- Cptmjl

Yea raty was our top guy but I'm ok moving him for horvat. We just don't have a guy that we are all excited to see in the near future that is a possible top 6 player.

I know a guy who works at the arena, Webster Bank, where BPT Isles play. He sells beer. Says all the regulars are pissed because all the best Bpt Isles are up in NHL.

I was impressed with his play last night but can he continue it is what I question
- maximumcarnage

Consistency is definitely what he would need to do to continue to get his number in the lineup for sure.

Despite the consensus that or prospect pool is pretty shallow I have to say the rookies and call ups this season, particularly the forwards, have been pretty solid and haven't shat the bed.
- PeteM

Agreed, quietly did their jobs for the most part.

Boy I hate to say it but the ROR trade may have put The Leafs over the top😡

Boy I hate to say it but the ROR trade may have put The Leafs over the top😡
- nyisles7

They cannot beat the Bruins in the playoffs

They cannot beat the Bruins in the playoffs
- maximumcarnage

Don’t say that. PO are a new season. Don’t get me wrong I hope you’re right, however they have made huge strides addressing team defense and that’s what they needed.
I hope they Lise in the first round again but …..

Boy I hate to say it but the ROR trade may have put The Leafs over the top😡
- nyisles7

My feeling is once the leafs win a round they are going to go on a run and he's a playoff guy that's proven and plays the right way

My feeling is once the leafs win a round they are going to go on a run and he's a playoff guy that's proven and plays the right way
- Upstate_isles

Exactly my feelings Upstate.

My feeling is once the leafs win a round they are going to go on a run and he's a playoff guy that's proven and plays the right way
- Upstate_isles

I have all the faith in the world they will choke like they always do in the playoffs.

To make it to the Stanley cup they will have to get through Tampa Boston and probably Carolina. I just don’t see it happening.

I have all the faith in the world they will choke like they always do in the playoffs.

To make it to the Stanley cup they will have to get through Tampa Boston and probably Carolina. I just don’t see it happening.
- maximumcarnage

Hopefully it does not happen. You have to think they will win a round eventually. If they lose again in the 1st round this year, you have to think massive changes will be made.