Matt Ross: Round 1: Panthers v Islanders

I'm nervous about the Isles because the season hasn't gone good vs them all year. However watching the last dance shows that the regular season means jack. Still not excited about drawing the isles but since it was a coin flip as to whether we made the show or not I will take it. Speaking of that I was really looking forward to a Leafs / Panthers showdown down the stretch. And am hoping in the worst way for an Isles beatdown for that previous playoff battle and a silly wrap around goal! Redemtion!

Greiss wears #39 when he plays the Panthers.

I'm nervous about the Isles because the season hasn't gone good vs them all year. However watching the last dance shows that the regular season means jack. Still not excited about drawing the isles but since it was a coin flip as to whether we made the show or not I will take it. Speaking of that I was really looking forward to a Leafs / Panthers showdown down the stretch. And am hoping in the worst way for an Isles beatdown for that previous playoff battle and a silly wrap around goal! Redemtion!
- Shynes57

Q studying the Islanders from Florida.

Greiss wears #39 when he plays the Panthers.
- Ratsreign

DiPietro? Haha.

DiPietro? Haha.
- Matt Ross

Lol, Hopefully this time he keeps it in the Islander family. Unfortunately, I was referring to Hasek.
Griess stands on his head vs FL. He "stole" one of those games this year, and was (imo) the biggest reason Isles won the previous playoff matchup.

Lol, Hopefully this time he keeps it in the Islander family. Unfortunately, I was referring to Hasek.
Griess stands on his head vs FL. He "stole" one of those games this year, and was (imo) the biggest reason Isles won the previous playoff matchup.
- Ratsreign

Oh yea, man. Agreed. He plays so well against the Cats.

Official announcement coming from Bettman at 4:30 ET in regards to the season resuming.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqITCpHaZP/

I'm still not sure hockey will be a "go" yet, or a smooth go at that.

However, I'm a little concerned with the Panthers play at the start of the season and after the All Star break/vacation week. I just don't see them coming out of the gate with a vengeance. On the other hand, Q has witnessed the slow starts twice now and might have an answer. Let's hope that Bob plays like the Bob we thought we were buying; if so, he could win the series if everyone else is rusty.

Go Panthers!

I'm still not sure hockey will be a "go" yet, or a smooth go at that.

However, I'm a little concerned with the Panthers play at the start of the season and after the All Star break/vacation week. I just don't see them coming out of the gate with a vengeance. On the other hand, Q has witnessed the slow starts twice now and might have an answer. Let's hope that Bob plays like the Bob we thought we were buying; if so, he could win the series if everyone else is rusty.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

Nice to hear from you, Jimbo.

I think it’s a roll of the dice for the Panthers (and a number of other teams) coming back. They could come out strong, or sputter.

It’s kind of what’s making this whole thing seem more fun to me, because it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.

Looking forward to that announcement soon.

If Bobrovski wakes up the Panthers are going to be a scary team to play.

If Bobrovski wakes up the Panthers are going to be a scary team to play.
- islansjet

It would be great if he became the guy they paid for.

I’m going to rely on Driedger for now though. Haha.

It would be great if he became the guy they paid for.

I’m going to rely on Driedger for now though. Haha.
- Matt Ross

There's no way Q would start w/Driedger over Bob. But if he sees the Frantic Bob reappearing, hopefully he doesn't wait too long to switch.
If they can play in front of Bob the way they play in front of Driedger, especially the last few games BC (before corona), they will be hard to beat. That will allow Bob to settle his ass down and just stop pucks. Bob's struggles go hand in hand with the too often slack defensive coverage in front of him.

I guess we just hope Islanders are also bad after breaks in play as the Panthers were

There's no way Q would start w/Driedger over Bob. But if he sees the Frantic Bob reappearing, hopefully he doesn't wait too long to switch.
If they can play in front of Bob the way they play in front of Driedger, especially the last few games BC (before corona), they will be hard to beat. That will allow Bob to settle his ass down and just stop pucks. Bob's struggles go hand in hand with the too often slack defensive coverage in front of him.
- Ratsreign

The key is picking up where they left off.

I guess we just hope Islanders are also bad after breaks in play as the Panthers were
- Shynes57

The key is picking up where they left off.
- Matt Ross

Indeed. They were getting on a roll. The last game they played against St Louis was what Q has been looking for all season. They were much better in their zone and taking better care of the puck, while still getting great scoring chances without forcing it or being reckless.

There will be expanded rosters when they start up. I think Tippett, if back from his wrist injury, and Borgstrom will certainly be included. I heard Tallon dropped Brady Keeper's name as a possibility. They'll have to carry 3 goalies, so Monty will be there. That leaves two spots to fill (if roster limit is 28).

It's good to hear Keeper is progressing, from where he started the season as an early cut to being the first dman mentioned as possible call up. I'm rooting for this kid to make it.