Dee Karl: Fire Up The Jets! Isles Game Day Second of back-to-back games at home tonight at 7pm.

Dee Karl: Fire Up The Jets! Isles Game Day
Second of back-to-back games at home tonight at 7pm.
- Dee Karl

The Jets of late seem to be free-falling whereas the Isles, conversely, look to be surging. If Montoya starts this could be over early.

On a separate topic, is Bailey finally coming into his own? (I don't see much of the Isles games here on the West Coast so am curious, as I've noticed he has been on the scoresheet quite a bit of late)

The Jets of late seem to be free-falling whereas the Isles, conversely, look to be surging. If Montoya starts this could be over early.

On a separate topic, is Bailey finally coming into his own? (I don't see much of the Isles games here on the West Coast so am curious, as I've noticed he has been on the scoresheet quite a bit of late)
- Zogg

Baileys line has been the isles best line as of late. Its not a coincidence that Bailey has been playing well after he's finally being played as a top 6, with what the organization considers top 6 talent. That line plays with desperation...

sidenote: fransy made the play on baileys goal with a dirtyyy backhand sauce pass..

The Jets of late seem to be free-falling whereas the Isles, conversely, look to be surging. If Montoya starts this could be over early.

On a separate topic, is Bailey finally coming into his own? (I don't see much of the Isles games here on the West Coast so am curious, as I've noticed he has been on the scoresheet quite a bit of late)
- Zogg

Bailey has been playing much better as of late. They moved him to wing full time last year and he has responded really well to the position change. He had a strong finish last year but was hurt at the beginning of this year. The past 3 weeks he has been one of their best players.

Baileys line has been the isles best line as of late. Its not a coincidence that Bailey has been playing well after he's finally being played as a top 6, with what the organization considers top 6 talent. That line plays with desperation...

sidenote: fransy made the play on baileys goal with a dirtyyy backhand sauce pass..
- kindlyrick

Thanks for the input - sounds like I should be picking this guy up on the waiver wire (yes, it's always about the pools lol). In all seriousness, good to see that he's finally been given a proper chance to develop and make the most of his skills. It only took management, what? 4/5? years to figure that out?

(and yes, I saw the Nielsen pass - that was definitely slick)

Bailey has been playing much better as of late. They moved him to wing full time last year and he has responded really well to the position change. He had a strong finish last year but was hurt at the beginning of this year. The past 3 weeks he has been one of their best players.
- kevfitz36

I still wanna see bailey get stronger during the offseason.......and can someone please get okposo a skating coach?

GO ISLANDERS.

I think it would be hilarious if after everything that was said in the preseason, the Rangers missed the playoffs, and it would be doubly hilarious if it was the Islanders that took that precious 8th seed!

Wow, could the Oil and Isles make the playoffs too?
That would be fun to watch! Good luck!

Tough one tonight...Jets/Isles always seems to be physical and chaotic. Plus the Jets will probably be a bit ticked off after losing last night. Do the Isles start Poulin tonight? I think they should. Let Nabby come back well rested for the Caps on Thursday, and after that, the schedule spaces out nicely until the last two games and they can probably ride Nabby the rest of the way.

Baileys line has been the isles best line as of late. Its not a coincidence that Bailey has been playing well after he's finally being played as a top 6, with what the organization considers top 6 talent. That line plays with desperation...

sidenote: fransy made the play on baileys goal with a dirtyyy backhand sauce pass..
- kindlyrick

I have to admit it: Bailey has stepped up his game. When its mattered in crunch time, he's finding a way to produce on the scoresheet. Its been great to see. Too bad his linemate, KO, can't follow (or hasn't followed) suit.

I'd like to see Lee tonight and Reasoner scratched. Other than that, keep this group intact. They're playing well and playing well when it matters: with a playoff spot on the line and well within reach.

Tough one tonight...Jets/Isles always seems to be physical and chaotic. Plus the Jets will probably be a bit ticked off after losing last night. Do the Isles start Poulin tonight? I think they should. Let Nabby come back well rested for the Caps on Thursday, and after that, the schedule spaces out nicely until the last two games and they can probably ride Nabby the rest of the way.
- UIF

Hard to make a lineup change now after this past five games. They've won four of five with Nabby playing well in each game. I don't want to burn Nabby out, but the last thing the Isles need now is to mess with chemistry and roll the dice on a cold Poulin with so much at stake. Its a tough call. I'd ride Nabby till he went cold/tired.

The JT line is brutal...they seem to be stuck in their end once they get out there. Its weird to see. Is the pressure of the playoffs effecting the boys or do they just need a shake up. JT I think is playing ok, but everytime he cycles the puck Boyes isn't there to recieve it. JT can bury the chances so it may be time for Jack to get an energy guy up on his line to complete the cycle and keep them in the right end of the ice. Boyes is not up to snuff right now and its time to change him up.

Another huge game tonight... these final few games should be fun or extremely painful...

I'm sure we will hear some rumblings today about Streit and his contract.

We might hear about an extension right before game time.

Streit needs to suck it up and sign the same contract as Vis... even a one year extension would be great.

I have to admit it: Bailey has stepped up his game. When its mattered in crunch time, he's finding a way to produce on the scoresheet. Its been great to see. Too bad his linemate, KO, can't follow (or hasn't followed) suit.

I'd like to see Lee tonight and Reasoner scratched. Other than that, keep this group intact. They're playing well and playing well when it matters: with a playoff spot on the line and well within reach.
- Jethro09

I think KO's playing reasonably well now. Much better along the boards and on the forecheck than he was earlier this season and last season. That whole line, since they've been told to worry about D rather than offense, has actually been better both defensively and offensively. I said before it's like they're being groomed to be the third line of the future rather than the second line, and that role seems to fit all of them much better.

I think KO's playing reasonably well now. Much better along the boards and on the forecheck than he was earlier this season and last season. That whole line, since they've been told to worry about D rather than offense, has actually been better both defensively and offensively. I said before it's like they're being groomed to be the third line of the future rather than the second line, and that role seems to fit all of them much better.
- UIF

I was at the game last night. KO still can't skate. He was tripping all over himself again. I agree that the line is playing well together. Its a shame that two top ten picks have to be groomed for a third-line role.

I was at the game last night. KO still can't skate. He was tripping all over himself again. I agree that the line is playing well together. Its a shame that two top ten picks have to be groomed for a third-line role.
- Jethro09

I was there also...agreed Okposo can't skate however he does hustle...

I was at the game last night. KO still can't skate. He was tripping all over himself again. I agree that the line is playing well together. Its a shame that two top ten picks have to be groomed for a third-line role.
- Jethro09

maybe they are just third liners...there are plenty of top ten picks that don't even reach that part of the nhl...its not about grooming..its not about devlopment..for some reason or another some guys hit a ceiling

I was at the game last night. KO still can't skate. He was tripping all over himself again. I agree that the line is playing well together. Its a shame that two top ten picks have to be groomed for a third-line role.
- Jethro09

Yeah, maybe not quite what we thought we had in them two years ago. But effective third liners are important too. If that's what they are, and they can thrive there, I'm fine with it...if they really commit to D, and it seems like they're taking it seriously, they can be a dangerous third line since they do have some skill in the offensive zone as well. It'd be great if two of Strome, Nelson, Lee, Niederreiter and Kabanov (edit...doubtful for Kabanov...looks to me like he still has quite a bit of developing to do...) can join Grabner next season on what could turn into a second line. Then we'd be in business...once we get that whole JT right wing thing figured out...

...and goaltending for next year.

...and defense.

But it'd be a nice start.

http://islestalk.com/?p=1322

KO displays heart that sometimes can outweigh things like skating...

But he does need to bring it up. Especially with the Lee's and Strome's coming on board in the future.

http://islestalk.com/?p=1322

KO displays heart that sometimes can outweigh things like skating...

But he does need to bring it up. Especially with the Lee's and Strome's coming on board in the future.
- gharding14

KO sucks, what you see is what you get.

Another huge game tonight... these final few games should be fun or extremely painful...

I'm sure we will hear some rumblings today about Streit and his contract.

We might hear about an extension right before game time.

Streit needs to suck it up and sign the same contract as Vis... even a one year extension would be great.
- jimmc7722

Vaguely familiar?

http://islestalk.com/?p=1322

KO displays heart that sometimes can outweigh things like skating...
But he does need to bring it up. Especially with the Lee's and Strome's coming on board in the future.
- gharding14

Only if you're playing basketball.

Only if you're playing basketball.
- keaner17

I think at this point people are trying to find a way to like him bcs we are playing good? KO is weak on the puck, can't skate, checks with one hand on his stick, is completely ineffective in the corners. I can go on with this . He's just not a good player who does'nt play to his ability, not that I think he has that much ability

I was at the game last night. KO still can't skate. He was tripping all over himself again. I agree that the line is playing well together. Its a shame that two top ten picks have to be groomed for a third-line role.
- Jethro09

If you actually focus on him and watch him play it's pretty funny. He really can't skate and constantly takes himself out of the play. His play has actually regressed.

I think at this point people are trying to find a way to like him bcs we are playing good? KO is weak on the puck, can't skate, checks with one hand on his stick, is completely uneffective in the corners. I can go on with this . He's just not a good player who does'nt play to his ability, not that I think he has that much ability
- Cptmjl

I think Kyle is athletic, but just a terrible skater and as you point out fundamentally flawed. He has a hell of a quick release, which he never uses, and is okay with the puck in open space but this is the NHL, not NCAA. He's never improved since his first game up...