Ben Shelley: Islanders lose both games of weekend back-to-back as playoff race tightens

2 goals in 3 games.

Here is to Buffalo and Jersey hopefully helping us out tonight. I think Sabers will have the tougher of the two games.

Annnd down the stretch they come....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbR1PkmgPH4

a race down to the wire, even

Annnd down the stretch they come....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbR1PkmgPH4

a race down to the wire, even
- Ratsreign

The get destroyed by Boston sweepstakes are in full swing.

The get destroyed by Boston sweepstakes are in full swing.
- MattStrat

Isles did themselves no favors the last couple of games not showing up.

Isles did themselves no favors the last couple of games not showing up.
- Cptmjl

Oh man, the Pens are the same. Look good, look sh!t, rinse and repeat. I think they've lost 3 or 4 games the past month where they had the lead, or it was tied, and they took a penalty in last 2 or 3 mins of the game, got scored on from the ensuing PP and lost the game haha.

Everyone agrees Corey Perry DDT'd Romanov straight into the ice on purpose, right? It's wild how that's not even a minor footnote that anyone's talking about from that game as Romanov sits out with a head injury.

Oh man, the Pens are the same. Look good, look sh!t, rinse and repeat. I think they've lost 3 or 4 games the past month where they had the lead, or it was tied, and they took a penalty in last 2 or 3 mins of the game, got scored on from the ensuing PP and lost the game haha.
- MattStrat

Your team has had some significant injuries through the lineup. We lost Barzal, Pelech for a while, now Romanov. Team has played well without Barzal for the most part which is great but seem to not get up for games like these last two which were huge. They gave up control of their own destiny with those two losses. Frustrating.

Everyone agrees Corey Perry DDT'd Romanov straight into the ice on purpose, right? It's wild how that's not even a minor footnote that anyone's talking about from that game as Romanov sits out with a head injury.
- UIF

100%. Mentioned it in the last thread but it’s like it never happened.

As usual zero response from the rest of the team btw.

Your team has had some significant injuries through the lineup. We lost Barzal, Pelech for a while, now Romanov. Team has played well without Barzal for the most part which is great but seem to not get up for games like these last two which were huge. They gave up control of their own destiny with those two losses. Frustrating.
- Cptmjl

I just dont understand how they didnt come out like game 7's the last two games. It was like going through the motions.

I just dont understand how they didnt come out like game 7's the last two games. It was like going through the motions.
- kindlyrick

Agreed and when you have an opposing teams coach calling you out for not showing up like Brind’Amour did it becomes even more glaring. Maybe some gamenship for a playoff matchup but his observation was factual not opinion.

Agreed and when you have an opposing teams coach calling you out for not showing up like Brind’Amour did it becomes even more glaring. Maybe some gamenship for a playoff matchup but his observation was factual not opinion.
- Cptmjl

I thought the same thing.....he called it how he saw it, as a hall of famer, cup winner. Absolutely brutal. The entire season is coming down to the last leg, and these guys arent playing desperate. I can't seem to understand that.

Personally after the tweeking of the roster in the offseason, i'd like to see the entire coaching staff replaced. The PP has been bad for far too long. Special teams should be a focus.

I thought the same thing.....he called it how he saw it, as a hall of famer, cup winner. Absolutely brutal. The entire season is coming down to the last leg, and these guys arent playing desperate. I can't seem to understand that.

Personally after the tweeking of the roster in the offseason, i'd like to see the entire coaching staff replaced. The PP has been bad for far too long. Special teams should be a focus.
- kindlyrick

Team seems to be on E. Can the team's lack of speed also make it look like they have no urgency to their game? I have no issues with new coaching, but this goes beyond coaching. PP and offense struggled under Bary as well.

100%. Mentioned it in the last thread but it’s like it never happened.

As usual zero response from the rest of the team btw.
- Cptmjl

Maybe MM and Ross cannot prevent these things from happening, but why even have these players if there will be no response?

Team seems to be on E. Can the team's lack of speed also make it look like they have no urgency to their game? I have no issues with new coaching, but this goes beyond coaching. PP and offense struggled under Bary as well.
- ses111

Under Barry Trotz this team saw the ECF twice.....which is two more times since 1993. They lack a few things, but I think the PP has been a consistent ball of crap for decades. You see teams like Tampa for ex and when they get up a man, its a real goal scoring chance. WIth the isles they get up a man, and there's more of a chance of a short handed goal.

I thought the same thing.....he called it how he saw it, as a hall of famer, cup winner. Absolutely brutal. The entire season is coming down to the last leg, and these guys arent playing desperate. I can't seem to understand that.
- kindlyrick

They do, and then they don't. It's maddening. It's not even wins and losses...it's how they play some of these games. The Columbus, Buffalo, and Carolina games in particular, they looked "structured" enough, but didn't look at all desperate, and didn't look the slightest bit interested in really putting it all on the line for the two points.

Under Barry Trotz this team saw the ECF twice.....which is two more times since 1993. They lack a few things, but I think the PP has been a consistent ball of crap for decades. You see teams like Tampa for ex and when they get up a man, its a real goal scoring chance. WIth the isles they get up a man, and there's more of a chance of a short handed goal.
- kindlyrick

No question the team had success under Barry, but still had challenges with the offense and PP and especially against teams like Tampa and the Canes.

100%. Mentioned it in the last thread but it’s like it never happened.

As usual zero response from the rest of the team btw.
- Cptmjl

I'm too lazy to go back and confirm, but I'm pretty sure I mentioned it right when it happened. Perry has been a sneaky dirty player for years....

They do, and then they don't. It's maddening. It's not even wins and losses...it's how they play some of these games. The Columbus, Buffalo, and Carolina games in particular, they looked "structured" enough, but didn't look at all desperate, and didn't look the slightest bit interested in really putting it all on the line for the two points.
- UIF

Could be a combo of older players and simply needing an overhaul of the roster. Maybe there is a problem in the room?

Could be a combo of older players and simply needing an overhaul of the roster. Maybe there is a problem in the room?
- ses111

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.

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

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!)

Annnd down the stretch they come....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbR1PkmgPH4

a race down to the wire, even
- Ratsreign

You forgot to include Ottawa:

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

Lack of speed and skill is an issue with this team with the NHL of today. We can pretend it's not an issue but it is. Sorokin can only do so much for this team.

You forgot to include Ottawa:


- Atomic Wedgie