Jan Levine: Islanders defeat Rangers 2-1 in exhibition contest, my takes
Saturday it all gets started for real

This is weird cause I can't even get mad if they lose. It's not easy to not play for 5 months then expect these players to be in top playoff form after playing just one practice game. Especially when the majority of the team has limited playoff experience

This is weird cause I can't even get mad if they lose. It's not easy to not play for 5 months then expect these players to be in top playoff form after playing just one practice game. Especially when the majority of the team has limited playoff experience
- TPC

If they lose to Carolina I hope there are some goals scored and more than 3 quality chances in a game

This is weird cause I can't even get mad if they lose. It's not easy to not play for 5 months then expect these players to be in top playoff form after playing just one practice game. Especially when the majority of the team has limited playoff experience
- TPC

Which is why i don't understand those of us on here that are so confident we'll beat Carolina. Yes we've owned them, but it's a whole new ball game right now so who knows what will happen. Based off last night, yes i know it's only 1 game, i'm not super confident.

If they lose to Carolina I hope there are some goals scored and more than 3 quality chances in a game
- mdw7413

I need at least one Kreider goal

Which is why i don't understand those of us on here that are so confident we'll beat Carolina. Yes we've owned them, but it's a whole new ball game right now so who knows what will happen. Based off last night, yes i know it's only 1 game, i'm not super confident.
- Mtlca66

Yea exactly...but knowing me its going to piss me off so bad that i will be miserable

It's kind of like watching preseason but with the set final roster. Weird....

The lack of fans seems like not big deal when watching on TV. No idea how the players feel about. Probably an advantage for the Carolina going into the series since they're use to play without spectators. Yeah, I know. Devil's fan talking trash about attendance....

Carolina actually drew only 301 less per game then the Rangers and about 2,000 more then NJ.

I need at least one Kreider goal
- TPC

Hopefully him and Zib were saving it for Carolina. They weren't very noticeable.

Good news is Kakko looks like he really wants to play on the 2nd line

It's kind of like watching preseason but with the set final roster. Weird....

The lack of fans seems like not big deal when watching on TV. No idea how the players feel about. Probably an advantage for the Carolina going into the series since they're use to play without spectators. Yeah, I know. Devil's fan talking trash about attendance....

Carolina actually drew only 301 less per game then the Rangers and about 2,000 more then NJ.
- Queenie_5_hole

I was gonna say,I think Carolinas attendance has been pretty good the last couple years.

whats up (frank)ers

I think PDP and Mckegg are going to be solid playoff hockey players. They both drive hard to the net when they have the puck (although Mckegg doesnt seem to have finishing ability)

Kakko looks really good

Hopefully him and Zib were saving it for Carolina. They weren't very noticeable.

Good news is Kakko looks like he really wants to play on the 2nd line
- mdw7413

Either was Panarin...I think players while trying to get back and shake off the rust weren't going anywhere close to 100%. I don't remember more than 5 hits all game

yeah, I thought Panarin and Zib looked mighty rusty, but overall wasnt a bad game

Islanders very impressive defensively, the games against the Canes should be more wide open

if we lose, then we have a shot for Lafreniere, either way, its exciting

Either was Panarin...I think players while trying to get back and shake off the rust weren't going anywhere close to 100%. I don't remember more than 5 hits all game
- TPC

Panarin seemed to get the puck, skate 15 feet and then fall over. It was bizarre.

I thought the top two stars in Panarin and Zib were the biggest surprises. Neither of them were able to play their style of play. Props to the Islanders for executing. If we're going to win this thing, we'll need more from both of them. Even ADA was shut down.

Chytil looked great. Kakko looked good. Fox had an impressive game. Loved what Smith brought.

Bottom 6 actually had a decent game, but Lemieux looked out of place and I think he's playing his way off of this team.

yeah, I thought Panarin and Zib looked mighty rusty, but overall wasnt a bad game

Islanders very impressive defensively, the games against the Canes should be more wide open

if we lose, then we have a shot for Lafreniere, either way, its exciting
- jimbro83

This, though they appeared to struggle with generating offense.

I didn't think the Isles were all that impressive defensively. Alot of the lack of offense on the Rangers part seemed to stem from unforced errors and turning the puck over looking for plays that weren't there.

A lot of no-look passes exiting their own zone, for example.

Either was Panarin...I think players while trying to get back and shake off the rust weren't going anywhere close to 100%. I don't remember more than 5 hits all game
- TPC

Buch had a nice open ice hit on and Islander breakout. I think he yard saled someone.

I didn't think the Isles were all that impressive defensively. Alot of the lack of offense on the Rangers part seemed to stem from unforced errors and turning the puck over looking for plays that weren't there.

A lot of no-look passes exiting their own zone, for example.
- BINGO!

Yea way to many behind the back dekes and passes at the blueline when they had wide open shots

I didn't think the Isles were all that impressive defensively. Alot of the lack of offense on the Rangers part seemed to stem from unforced errors and turning the puck over looking for plays that weren't there.

A lot of no-look passes exiting their own zone, for example.
- BINGO!

I think it got to that because the Islanders were sound defensively. They started to force things after the midway point of the game. First period was clearly in the Rangers favor but they couldn't maintain it.

Yea way to many behind the back dekes and passes at the blueline when they had wide open shots
- TPC

think that's why Kakko-PDG line looked so much better. They just played straight up and down and put it on net every chance they got. No screwing around, just skate it up the ice, shoot it, then go get it.

I didn't think the Isles were all that impressive defensively. Alot of the lack of offense on the Rangers part seemed to stem from unforced errors and turning the puck over looking for plays that weren't there.

A lot of no-look passes exiting their own zone, for example.
- BINGO!

NYR looked really good first half of 2nd period. They'll get it together. NYI is the type of team that really makes it difficult for NYR to play their game. Carolina will allow for a more back n forth kind of game

I think it got to that because the Islanders were sound defensively. They started to force things after the midway point of the game. First period was clearly in the Rangers favor but they couldn't maintain it.
- JRR1285

It was nice not giving up 40 plus shots for a game though. Lindy Ruff affect finally gone

I think it got to that because the Islanders were sound defensively. They started to force things after the midway point of the game. First period was clearly in the Rangers favor but they couldn't maintain it.
- JRR1285

Exiting their own zone though? why are you making a backhand pass to nobody before you've even reached your own blueline?

It was nice not giving up 40 plus shots for a game though. Lindy Ruff affect finally gone
- TPC

Defense looked good all around. Really impressed with Smith. He had a few really good pinches and his foot speed looked quick. Trouba and Lindgren were the defensive ballasts they usually are.

Hopefully Staal is okay. Old man looked fine out there.

Exiting their own zone though? why are you making a backhand pass to nobody before you've even reached your own blueline?
- BINGO!

Because reasons. Admittedly I was distracted having relations in the third period.