Ben Shelley: Islanders finally snap losing streak with win over Senators

finally mother(frank)ers!

It is a Christmas miracle. We get an Islanders win and two blogs within a 48 hour period.

Here is too Wally and Dobs stepping up for the third game in row. Nice to see them both playing with confidence in their games.

Bellows had a nice game for only 8 minutes of ice, nice win.

John Tonelli for HOF

Great to get the W last night. Looking at the metro, teams have faltered and it’s not looking impossible to claw back into this. PHI and NJ right there, then CBJ..and all not much further ahead of us. Eight of next ten are home games through 12/30 with DET and BUF our away games.

Great to get the W last night. Looking at the metro, teams have faltered and it’s not looking impossible to claw back into this. PHI and NJ right there, then CBJ..and all not much further ahead of us. Eight of next ten are home games through 12/30 with DET and BUF our away games.
- streaks

Hopefully this can be a stepping stone in turning this thing around. Still stuff to clean up, of course, but if they can minimize the damn turnovers and quit giving up odd-man rushes while on the PP then who knows what they can do.
By the way, That was a hell of a job by Parise getting back to take away the shorthanded 2 on 1. They scored but Parise took away the passing option. That was pure hustle. The other 3 forwards just glided back.

So I was going to wonder why Spezza got 6 games for kneeing and Lemieux only 5games for biting. Then I watched the video and........yeah........there's the reason.

Hopefully this can be a stepping stone in turning this thing around. Still stuff to clean up, of course, but if they can minimize the damn turnovers and quit giving up odd-man rushes while on the PP then who knows what they can do.
By the way, That was a hell of a job by Parise getting back to take away the shorthanded 2 on 1. They scored but Parise took away the passing option. That was pure hustle. The other 3 forwards just glided back.
- Isleshockeyman

I think a couple of players who got the covid were more impacted than others. Lee seems to be getting back to his normal self. Guys are starting to get back in sync, hopefully it's not too late to make a move. Also, I know the backcheck from Parise you are referring to and I agree. He's definitely working, but he NEEDS to start chipping in goals here and there.

I am not sure how many of you actually had Covid but from my experience it really lingers. It took me more than a few weeks before I felt normal. I was tired and out of breath constantly. It might take a while for some of these guys to get back to normal.

Bellows- It was nice for him to finally get a goal. He has set up Parise and a few guys with golden oportunities in the past few games that they didn't finish. He has been pretty good for the most part. He got caught on a VERY long shift late in the game that resulted in a couple of turnovers.. but if we can get him playing decent 2 way hockey.. he has the ability to score. I think of him as an MDC with the actual ability to score a goal once in a while.

Sorokin was best player on the ice. My guess is if he didn't stand on his head early we lose our 12th.

Sorokin was best player on the ice. My guess is if he didn't stand on his head early we lose our 12th.
- niteislander

Pretty much the case every game he has played this season. The guy is our #1 as far as I’m concerned.

I think a couple of players who got the covid were more impacted than others. Lee seems to be getting back to his normal self. Guys are starting to get back in sync, hopefully it's not too late to make a move. Also, I know the backcheck from Parise you are referring to and I agree. He's definitely working, but he NEEDS to start chipping in goals here and there.
- streaks

Parise 90% of the time has been out there hustling from game one on. The problem is he gets to the net and that’s where everything seems to fall apart for him. I still see him contributing down the line. He’s out there working though and you can’t hate the guy for that.

Bailey choosing not to shoot on an empty net late in the game is just perfect Bailey. he was scanning the ice to see if Lee was out there.. (he was on the bench).. just end the game you friggin dolt.

Parise and Palmieri couldn't score on an empty net.

I honestly think he was looking to get the puck to Parise, but never got a decent lane. I agree though. End the damn game and let Parise get his first goal another time, preferably at home.

https://twitter.com/NYIsl...TOcsBC8ZTzCfKL6MSotg&s=01

Trotz post game, Pretty interesting stuff on Wally and Barzal, around, 6:45 mark.

If only Barry treated some of the veterans the same way he treated the younger players with full accountability every shift.

So I was going to wonder why Spezza got 6 games for kneeing and Lemieux only 5games for biting. Then I watched the video and........yeah........there's the reason.
- Isleshockeyman

Spezza’s hit was also a clear retaliation for Pionks hit on Sandin. And clear knee to head. Yet Leaf fans are of course crying their asses off about it.

If only Barry treated some of the veterans the same way he treated the younger players with full accountability every shift.
- niteislander

I think its time Barry be held accountable and gets his walking papers. His coaching decisions have clearly been a losing formula compared to the historically successful Garth Snow, Capuano years this fan base experienced.

Arthur Staple @StapeAthletic
5m
Hearing Anatolii Golyshev will be on unconditional waivers in the next few days. Likely headed back to the KHL. #Isles opted not to use him during their COVID woes, not much incentive to stick around.

Not surprising. Wanted to see what he could do at this level when everyone was out but oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Arthur Staple @StapeAthletic
5m
Hearing Anatolii Golyshev will be on unconditional waivers in the next few days. Likely headed back to the KHL. #Isles opted not to use him during their COVID woes, not much incentive to stick around.

Not surprising. Wanted to see what he could do at this level when everyone was out but oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- eichiefs9

Probably the best option for him now. With everyone coming back, he's not going to get in the lineup...and he shouldn't over any of the regulars.

When there were 10 guys out...yeah, probably could have squeezed him in for a game or two to see what he could do. As you said though... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Bellows had a nice game for only 8 minutes of ice, nice win.

John Tonelli for HOF
- Tee56

Id like to see Tonelli out there with Parise to see if he can get him going.

Brian Bellows for HOF

Probably the best option for him now. With everyone coming back, he's not going to get in the lineup...and he shouldn't over any of the regulars.

When there were 10 guys out...yeah, probably could have squeezed him in for a game or two to see what he could do. As you said though... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- UIF

I think they took a look at him in the preseason and when they called him up during the Covid crisis. Obviously they saw something in his game that they felt wasn't ready for prime time. I trust Barry is trying to ice the best team he can nightly to win the game. So I'll live with his decisions. As you said, the fact 10 guys were out, my thinking is, if you can't make the line up then I'm gonna say he wasn't ready. Especially with the results they had.
Just my opinion of course.

Probably the best option for him now. With everyone coming back, he's not going to get in the lineup...and he shouldn't over any of the regulars.

When there were 10 guys out...yeah, probably could have squeezed him in for a game or two to see what he could do. As you said though... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- UIF

At 26 years old, if he wasn't going to get into the lineup with literally half the roster out I doubt he ever would. It's a shame since he was apparently doing 'okay' in Bridgeport and was very successful in the K. I certainly don't see why he couldn't start a game over say Andreoff but I also have never seen the guy in a North American game. I would guess that his size didn't help him when trying to join a team undermanned on the blueline that plays a defensive grind style.