Ben Shelley: Islanders honour Clark Gillies ahead of game, split back-to-back set

First of all may Clark G. Rest In Peace, It’s rough way to start a game with a memorial but the Islanders could have used it to their advantage or maybe they did?

Isles out shot, out hit, out blocked the Leafs but fell short. The Isles D only had 3 hits, sorry that’s not enough. Can’t keep looking for the 4th line to do all the hitting.

Any way seeing them out shoot the visitors is a step in the right direction. Four games at home next week, let’s see at least 3 out of 4 games won.

How does the goaltending get split next week?

#9 RIP

First of all may Clark G. Rest In Peace, It’s rough way to start a game with a memorial but the Islanders could have used it to their advantage or maybe they did?

Isles out shot, out hit, out blocked the Leafs but fell short. The Isles D only had 3 hits, sorry that’s not enough. Can’t keep looking for the 4th line to do all the hitting.

Any way seeing them out shoot the visitors is a step in the right direction. Four games at home next week, let’s see at least 3 out of 4 games won.

How does the goaltending get split next week?

#9 RIP
- Tee56

Hopefully it goes something like Sorokin, Sorokin, Sorokin, then Sorokin.

Hopefully it goes something like Sorokin, Sorokin, Sorokin, then Sorokin.
- Cptmjl

Thinking the same, at least wins next week would be very impressive

Hopefully it goes something like Sorokin, Sorokin, Sorokin, then Sorokin.
- Cptmjl

Haha. Varly played awful last night. That goal with .4 seconds left in the first deflated them I think. Dobson made a bad play but Varly has to save that. The team as a whole was pretty bad.

They’re still 7-2-1 in their last 10 so if they can keep winning at that rate we will have a shot st playoffs. Not sure they can but I’m still keeping the faith.

Haha. Varly played awful last night. That goal with .4 seconds left in the first deflated them I think. Dobson made a bad play but Varly has to save that. The team as a whole was pretty bad.

They’re still 7-2-1 in their last 10 so if they can keep winning at that rate we will have a shot st playoffs. Not sure they can but I’m still keeping the faith.
- streaks

I’m still keeping the faith but they have to get their crap together real quick.

Haha. Varly played awful last night. That goal with .4 seconds left in the first deflated them I think. Dobson made a bad play but Varly has to save that. The team as a whole was pretty bad.

They’re still 7-2-1 in their last 10 so if they can keep winning at that rate we will have a shot st playoffs. Not sure they can but I’m still keeping the faith.
- streaks

They can't. Too many of those wins have been against the bottom dwellers. Then they play a good team like the Caps or Leafs, and they lose in regulation.

Varly was indeed terrible on what proved to be the game-winning goal against. And Dobson needed to take out that guy long before he got to the net. This team leaves very little margin for error by its goaltenders.

They can't. Too many of those wins have been against the bottom dwellers. Then they play a good team like the Caps or Leafs, and they lose in regulation.

Varly was indeed terrible on what proved to be the game-winning goal against. And Dobson needed to take out that guy long before he got to the net. This team leaves very little margin for error by its goaltenders.
- JohnScammo

🥲😭

They can't. Too many of those wins have been against the bottom dwellers. Then they play a good team like the Caps or Leafs, and they lose in regulation.

Varly was indeed terrible on what proved to be the game-winning goal against. And Dobson needed to take out that guy long before he got to the net. This team leaves very little margin for error by its goaltenders.
- JohnScammo

i think the team as a whole lacks the speed to keep up with most of the league. As stated by pretty much everyone on here, turnovers are a big thing as well. How many D-zone turnovers have we seen just in the last couple weeks.
You’re not going to do well in this league if you beat the teams below you but lose to the teams above you. Let’s hope this gets corrected for next season. This season is over.

i think the team as a whole lacks the speed to keep up with most of the league. As stated by pretty much everyone on here, turnovers are a big thing as well. How many D-zone turnovers have we seen just in the last couple weeks.
You’re not going to do well in this league if you beat the teams below you but lose to the teams above you. Let’s hope this gets corrected for next season. This season is over.
- Isleshockeyman

The speed issue is real. We've seen a ridiculous amount of odd man rushes and breakaways this year.

The speed issue is real. We've seen a ridiculous amount of odd man rushes and breakaways this year.
- keaner17

Despite some faults, Leddy was really fast and effective at getting back to prevent those.........especially noticeable on the power play where he would break up the short-handed attempts against. Dobson running the PP just doesn't have Leddy's speed.

The organization honored Gillies properly. He was a great player in his time and an even better person.

The team on the other hand. Other than Parise the entire team was invisible. How Trotz starts Varly last night is a mystery. If he had every intention of split the back to back he should have play Varly against the Yotes. Team needs to ride Sorokin until he shows he needs a break. Varly is too inconsistent right to trust.

Barzal wants to be a top player. This is a game that he needs to step up and show that he is just that a top player. He did not show me CRAP last night other than he is not there yet.

Dober as well as he has been looked like a deer in the head lights at time throughout the game.

Isles need to wake up or else. They can ill afford to waste games in hand.

Despite some faults, Leddy was really fast and effective at getting back to prevent those.........especially noticeable on the power play where he would break up the short-handed attempts against. Dobson running the PP just doesn't have Leddy's speed.
- JohnScammo

Maybe they were expecting Dobson to take a bigger step than he has and fill a big portion of that role. I’m sure they didn’t expect it to go sideways as it has.

The organization honored Gillies properly. He was a great player in his time and an even better person.

The team on the other hand. Other than Parise the entire team was invisible. How Trotz starts Varly last night is a mystery. If he had every intention of split the back to back he should have play Varly against the Yotes. Team needs to ride Sorokin until he shows he needs a break. Varly is too inconsistent right to trust.

Barzal wants to be a top player. This is a game that he needs to step up and show that he is just that a top player. He did not show me CRAP last night other than he is not there yet.

Dober as well as he has been looked like a deer in the head lights at time throughout the game.

Isles need to wake up or else. They can ill afford to waste games in hand.
- Nfdbulldawg

Meh, the season is lost. Barzal needs to trust his teammates more. But they need to help him out a little. I think he’s at his best when he’s in human cheat code mode. But that’s when his wingers are moving around and creating space for him to maneuver and set one of them up. Nobody moves and he ends up boxed in and turns it over. Just my thoughts, but what the hell do I know.

Meh, the season is lost. Barzal needs to trust his teammates more. But they need to help him out a little. I think he’s at his best when he’s in human cheat code mode. But that’s when his wingers are moving around and creating space for him to maneuver and set one of them up. Nobody moves and he ends up boxed in and turns it over. Just my thoughts, but what the hell do I know.
- Isleshockeyman

I don’t know IHM. They are 7-2-1 in last 10. I get it not all teams they beat were top teams but they’re still winning games. I think if they can get 4-5 games over .500 and start to see they’re gaining ground they’ll start to beat the better teams too. Their next 5 games are home and I think will determine where this season goes. If they win at least 3 or 4 of them I’ll be happy and still keeping my faith in them making playoffs.

Meh, the season is lost. Barzal needs to trust his teammates more. But they need to help him out a little. I think he’s at his best when he’s in human cheat code mode. But that’s when his wingers are moving around and creating space for him to maneuver and set one of them up. Nobody moves and he ends up boxed in and turns it over. Just my thoughts, but what the hell do I know.
- Isleshockeyman

Well… if that’s the case, it’s sure a damned good year to have a 1st round pick. So there’s that.

I don’t know IHM. They are 7-2-1 in last 10. I get it not all teams they beat were top teams but they’re still winning games. I think if they can get 4-5 games over .500 and start to see they’re gaining ground they’ll start to beat the better teams too. Their next 5 games are home and I think will determine where this season goes. If they win at least 3 or 4 of them I’ll be happy and still keeping my faith in them making playoffs.
- streaks

One thing is for certain, they can’t afford to lose any games against the east. (frank)ing Caps and Penguins ain’t slowing down.

One thing is for certain, they can’t afford to lose any games against the east. (frank)ing Caps and Penguins ain’t slowing down.
- Wildschwein

They have PHI, LA, Seattle, Min and Ottawa next five home games. I think that’s a favorable group of teams to capture 3-4 wins from. Keep building and gaining ground.

They have PHI, LA, Seattle, Min and Ottawa next five home games. I think that’s a favorable group of teams to capture 3-4 wins from. Keep building and gaining ground.
- streaks

Quite right. Every game feels like a must win now, but they MUST beat Philly, Seattle and the Sens.

Quite right. Every game feels like a must win now, but they MUST beat Philly, Seattle and the Sens.
- Wildschwein

Looking at the numbers, they can't lose more than 16 of the remaining games at most to make the playoffs. Even that may not be enough.

Looking at the numbers, they can't lose more than 16 of the remaining games at most to make the playoffs. Even that may not be enough.
- JimmyP

Likely so.

Gonna need a team ahead of them to stumble a bit. Hopefully Washington.

I don’t know IHM. They are 7-2-1 in last 10. I get it not all teams they beat were top teams but they’re still winning games. I think if they can get 4-5 games over .500 and start to see they’re gaining ground they’ll start to beat the better teams too. Their next 5 games are home and I think will determine where this season goes. If they win at least 3 or 4 of them I’ll be happy and still keeping my faith in them making playoffs.
- streaks

Don't get me wrong, I'm still pulling for them to make the playoffs. Anything can happen once you're in. It just seems almost insurmountable at this point of the season. They're 16 points behind Boston for the last wildcard spot. That's 8 games they need to make up to catch them. Not only do they have to win almost every game, they need some help from other teams. They would need teams like Buffalo, Arizona, Seattle, Ottawa, etc. to beat teams that are currently in. Goaltending (Varly) has been a bit shaky lately, the PP, as usual, sucks(ranked 24th), most of the defensemen are slow and they're giving the puck away way too many times. Especially in their own zone. There needs to be a drastic turnaround and quick for them to make the playoffs. Fingers crossed though.
We all know that Lou isn't stupid. He sees what's going on and I trust he'll make the necessary changes to spin this thing around next season.

Likely so.

Gonna need a several team(s) ahead of them to stumble a bit. Hopefully Washington all of them.
- Wildschwein

Fixed*

Quite right. Every game feels like a must win now, but they MUST beat Philly, Seattle and the Sens.
- Wildschwein

They don't have a choice. We all know you have to beat the teams below you, but they have to beat everyone. Losing to the Laffs wasn't a good start.

They have PHI, LA, Seattle, Min and Ottawa next five home games. I think that’s a favorable group of teams to capture 3-4 wins from. Keep building and gaining ground.
- streaks

They can only gain ground if the teams in front of them lose and we win. If both win, then it's just treading water. Take care of your own business. Win and let the chips fall where they may. The old saying still holds true today, the games you win in October & November you don't have to win in March & April.