ISLES BEAT RANGERS: No Gabby, No Dice As Isles Work Harder

Islanders Coach Scott Gordon looked a bit more comfortable under the TV light. A win will do that. Especially one where they held off a rival in the 3rd period. They haven’t been able to hold anyone off since the start of the season.

However he threw it to the media wanting a win more than him or the team. Nice try Gordo but one could see it on the team’s faces in the locker room that it meant quite a bit. Meant just about everything.

John Tavares sat wearing a hard hat as players around him had a smirk and lift. Of course, Tavares, who is demure and a bit of a dead fish on interviews, actually was better for it, which might have been the intent. Per John, when asked about it: “it’s something we wear when we win”.

Tavares nailed the coffin of game 1 of the rivalry bringing them up to 3-1, touching off a vent of frustration from Ranger fans as many then left or started an array of fights. Guess Ranger fans aren’t that settled and comfortable with their start. A lot of fear and concern, as their team was unable to comeback without their injury prone star and contractual big money man, Marion Gaborik.

Without him, the Rangers were quite ordinary. It was enough for not only the Islanders to lead the entire game, but for Dwayne Roloson to finally come up big and play at the level he was signed to do. He did not look herky jerky at all, instead he looked very comfortable.

As I said on twitter during the game, and also in a previous blog, the Islanders biggest issue is sustaining offensively flow. A big example of that is shot count for them. If the other team leads in shots, there is about 90% chance they will lose. This team lacks the talent, depth and experience to overcome that element.

But if the lead or are within 2 to 3 shots of the other team? Then it is likely a different story. Sustaining offense means the defense isn’t collapsing and the goalie left out o dry.

Josh Bailey had a better game, and Gordon nodded when that was brought up. He’s doing much more, even if the score sheet isn’t indicating it.

However, we also need to start talking about Brendan Witt’s diminished ice time. He logged 13:53 last night, as Streit and Gervais, Martinek and Sutton get the main time slots now. 2:54 was on the PK. Think this is an abberation? He logged 9:04 in Montreal. Is this because he’s banged up? Sick? Or just more inidicative to his role nowadays?