Ben Shelley: Islanders have a bit of life after staving off elimination

The Islanders in game four, put fourth probably their best game of the playoffs. Had this been a team that displayed consistency throughout the season, I would maybe say that they are turning the corner.

However, that has not been the blueprint for this team. This team has had more up and down than the coney island rollercoaster. There will be no doubt that Roy will once again go into his history and knowledge of the game, to fire this team up.

My advice is, get a nice bottle of bourbon and enjoy what could the last islander's game of the season. There will be plenty of time to hammer Lou and go through the what ifs later.

The Islanders in game four, put fourth probably their best game of the playoffs. Had this been a team that displayed consistency throughout the season, I would maybe say that they are turning the corner.

However, that has not been the blueprint for this team. This team has had more up and down than the coney island rollercoaster. There will be no doubt that Roy will once again go into his history and knowledge of the game, to fire this team up.

My advice is, get a nice bottle of bourbon and enjoy what could the last islander's game of the season. There will be plenty of time to hammer Lou and go through the what ifs later.
- Nfdbulldawg

I thought they played really well game 1. This last game giving up a goal with six minutes was like a microcosm of the season imo. With that said they got the job done.

Which team do we see tonight? Do they go out like a wet fart or do they really want to keep this series going?

Piles heartbeat



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I thought they played really well game 1. This last game giving up a goal with six minutes was like a microcosm of the season imo. With that said they got the job done.

Which team do we see tonight? Do they go out like a wet fart or do they really want to keep this series going?
- Cptmjl

As much as I maintained that this team should not have been in the playoffs because the team is inconsistent and not strong enough. There are guys playing for contracts and in some cases to keep their career going. I do not see them mailing it in. I do see the Canes kicking into a second gear and closing it out on home ice. As strong as they are, they do not want to go back to NY.

Piles heartbeat



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- Brukie

As much as I maintained that this team should not have been in the playoffs because the team is inconsistent and not strong enough. There are guys playing for contracts and in some cases to keep their career going. I do not see them mailing it in. I do see the Canes kicking into a second gear and closing it out on home ice. As strong as they are, they do not want to go back to NY.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yep. We always look at it as, "What will the Isles do?" but yeah, there's another team on the ice here and regardless of how the Isles come out tonight, I expect the Canes to be absolutely flying.

I feel like the Isles have figured a little something out though that they weren't doing in previous series...instead of making their preferred safe play out of the zone (chipping it off the boards), if they can get past that first wave of pressure with possession, the stretch pass is usually there for them. It's just that the "getting past the first wave" part isn't so easy.

I also feel like that's what ends up killing them when trying to hold a lead...they fall back on the safe plays, chip the puck out too much, and the Canes are almost always sitting on that and ready to turn it back around quickly. Then we wonder why they're not generating shots anymore.

need to piss them off and make them lose their cool. get the crowd off their game and let them boo the refs more than they cheer for their team LETS GO

They pulled it off last year , winning game 5 in Carolina. Anything is possible.
As for signing that goalie, when Varly was hurt , I think the realized, oh crap, we don't have another goalie that can play in NHL. So now they may have one????

They pulled it off last year , winning game 5 in Carolina. Anything is possible.
As for signing that goalie, when Varly was hurt , I think the realized, oh crap, we don't have another goalie that can play in NHL. So now they may have one????
- chazpet

I mean most teams don't have a particularly good 3rd string goaltender. Isles had a luxury in Schneider for a few years. Seems like Appleby is going to move on from the Isles organization and this is probably just a move to ensure that they have adequate goaltending at the AHL level.

I mean most teams don't have a particularly good 3rd string goaltender. Isles had a luxury in Schneider for a few years. Seems like Appleby is going to move on from the Isles organization and this is probably just a move to ensure that they have adequate goaltending at the AHL level.
- eichiefs9

Hopefully the Islanders can draft and develop a young goalie prospect that can take over for Varly in the future.

Hopefully the Islanders can draft and develop a young goalie prospect that can take over for Varly in the future.
- ses111

Sorokin is not permanently an issue. Goalies are impossible to figure out and he's as likely to win the Vezina next season as he is to have a disappointing season like this year. I don't think he does either of those things, but I don't have any long-term concerns about him right now.

Sorokin is not permanently an issue. Goalies are impossible to figure out and he's as likely to win the Vezina next season as he is to have a disappointing season like this year. I don't think he does either of those things, but I don't have any long-term concerns about him right now.
- eichiefs9

I think Sorokin will be fine. Still would be nice to have a promising young goalie in the pipline.

I think Sorokin will be fine. Still would be nice to have a promising young goalie in the pipline.
- ses111

It's a good point. It takes them a long time to come along and I don't think you can have too many, because odds are they are more likely to be average or worse than they are a star goaltender

[quote=UIF]Yep. We always look at it as, "What will the Isles do?" but yeah, there's another team on the ice here and regardless of how the Isles come out tonight, I expect the Canes to be absolutely flying.

I feel like the Isles have figured a little something out though that they weren't doing in previous series...instead of making their preferred safe play out of the zone (chipping it off the boards), if they can get past that first wave of pressure with possession, the stretch pass is usually there for them. It's just that the "getting past the first wave" part isn't so easy.

At times they are too far apart, this takes away options as a puck carrier. Good possession teams always tend to have good puck support.

I also feel like that's what ends up killing them when trying to hold a lead...they fall back on the safe plays, chip the puck out too much, and the Canes are almost always sitting on that and ready to turn it back around quickly. Then we wonder why they're not generating shots anymore. There is nothing wrong with safe plays. But they are not taking lanes when they are presented. They are throwing pucks blindly up the boards. As a player, a coach and a scout, I have learned that you always have to keep your feet moving. The minute this team is standing still, the Canes attack. Sitting back and just chipping it out is a recipe for disaster.

I mean most teams don't have a particularly good 3rd string goaltender. Isles had a luxury in Schneider for a few years. Seems like Appleby is going to move on from the Isles organization and this is probably just a move to ensure that they have adequate goaltending at the AHL level.
- eichiefs9

I think your correct. If Varly or Sorokin were to go down for any length of time. The goaltending depth has little to no NHL experience. It is always good to have depth.

I think Sorokin will be fine. Still would be nice to have a promising young goalie in the pipline.
- ses111

Sorokin faced the second most shots in the league. He has been in the top 4 the last few years. He has seen more rubber than most hookers.

That can definitely where you down.

Sorokin faced the second most shots in the league. He has been in the top 4 the last few years. He has seen more rubber than most hookers.

That can definitely where you down.
- Nfdbulldawg

I agree. I think Varly should have played more this year. Sorokin is not a big strong guy and maybe cannot play a huge number of games.

[quote=UIF]Yep. We always look at it as, "What will the Isles do?" but yeah, there's another team on the ice here and regardless of how the Isles come out tonight, I expect the Canes to be absolutely flying.

I feel like the Isles have figured a little something out though that they weren't doing in previous series...instead of making their preferred safe play out of the zone (chipping it off the boards), if they can get past that first wave of pressure with possession, the stretch pass is usually there for them. It's just that the "getting past the first wave" part isn't so easy.

At times they are too far apart, this takes away options as a puck carrier. Good possession teams always tend to have good puck support.

I also feel like that's what ends up killing them when trying to hold a lead...they fall back on the safe plays, chip the puck out too much, and the Canes are almost always sitting on that and ready to turn it back around quickly. Then we wonder why they're not generating shots anymore. There is nothing wrong with safe plays. But they are not taking lanes when they are presented. They are throwing pucks blindly up the boards. As a player, a coach and a scout, I have learned that you always have to keep your feet moving. The minute this team is standing still, the Canes attack. Sitting back and just chipping it out is a recipe for disaster.
- Nfdbulldawg

The gaps between the forward and defense have to be better. Just like you need forwards to help on defense, you need the defense to help the offense. You cannot just use the 3 forwards and the dmen are so far off the play.

The gaps between the forward and defense have to be better. Just like you need forwards to help on defense, you need the defense to help the offense. You cannot just use the 3 forwards and the dmen are so far off the play.
- ses111

If the Isles are able to come out and PUSH for the first 10-15 minutes, they'll win.


If they don't, Canes will just continue to get stronger as the game goes along and roll over them.

It's Wes McCauley. Get ready for a ref show.

Sorokin is not permanently an issue. Goalies are impossible to figure out and he's as likely to win the Vezina next season as he is to have a disappointing season like this year. I don't think he does either of those things, but I don't have any long-term concerns about him right now.
- eichiefs9

I agree. Sorokin is lacking confidence and going down way too early. Also I’ve notice he struggles with seeing rebounds lately. Almost like something is wrong with his eye sight.

Piles heartbeat



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- Brukie

Keep this post in mind if your team starts getting throttled next round and you are wondering why they are Islander fans on your thread.

if we're lucky, my father is gonna start pulling some angels in the outfield poop tonight


"upon further review, the puck seems to have deflected off of nothing, we have a good goal"