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Isles Lose Gem in Strait: Now What?

Isles Lose Gem in Strait: Now What?

Talk about adding salt to the wound. The Islanders suffered two huge losses yesterday afternoon: a 7-0 defeat to their Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, and defenseman Brian Strait, who took an awkward tumble into the boards, breaking his left ankle in the process. Brian Strait has been incredible for the New York Islanders, [...]

Evaluating the Islanders Through the First Quarter (+2) of the Season

Evaluating the Islanders Through the First Quarter (+2) of the Season

Although the lockout seems like a distant memory, it’s upsetting that the hockey season is already one-quarter of the way finished. Actually, it’s already a bit past one-quarter of the way done. The Islanders have already played fourteen games in 2013, turning past the quarter-point after their twelfth game. Well, because I was on vacation [...]

Pros and, of course, Cons

Pros and, of course, Cons

We are not exactly sure how to react to the first couple weeks of this hockey season.  The Islanders certainly have turned a few heads.  Is it just because they are fielding a team with the most players who played during the lockout?  Are teams taking them lightly?  Are they really, finally a good team?  [...]

One Team’s Trash is Another Team’s Treasure

One Team’s Trash is Another Team’s Treasure

The New York Islanders held their first practice open to the public this morning. Several hundred fans attended. I was not one of them due to work, but I am excited to say that I should be at the scrimmage tomorrow night, and I will be on the Island for Opening Night! Tailgating is a [...]

The Islanders Opening Night Speculation: The D-Men

The Islanders Opening Night Speculation: The D-Men

Hello, Islanders fans. A few days ago, I gave a prediction of what I think the Islanders opening night offensive lines will look like in Pittsburgh. Some fans of Long Island were excited, while some of the fans disagreed. Either way, none of us really know how things will turn out in October. Tonight, I [...]

Backchecking: The Islanders Begin Offseason But What Do The Fans Think?

Backchecking: The Islanders Begin Offseason But What Do The Fans Think?

Most days that I read comments and assessments from Islander fans I end up just slapping my shaking forehead and saying out loud. “oh holy hell….” I mean seriously, is there nothing that Garth Snow can do to make Islander fans happy? Does it really matter if they are or they are not? The short [...]

Travis Hamonic (3) and Andrew MacDonald (47) are the current home grown defenders for the Islanders that should be a part of the teams core for years to come.

Backchecking: What to Expect: Part 3 — Defense

I hope we all had a great holiday break the last week. Although, I suppose the 3 games that made up the Christmas break for the Islanders was anything but great. Battling back on the road and getting a few wins put the Islanders within hailing distance of a run at the pack. But with [...]

A LOOK AT THE ISLANDERS DEFENSE: Part 2 of Series

A LOOK AT THE ISLANDERS DEFENSE: Part 2 of Series

Last week we looked at the Isles offense and asked if the makeup of the lines would lead to enough scoring to make playoffs hopes a reality. This week we look deep at the bigger and more porous issue of the last few years…The defense. Late last season, I was told that the Islanders would [...]

John Tavares is Separating himself in stats from the rest of the boys in blue. Can they respond enough to help him elevate the Islanders?

Backchecking: Six Games In — Is This What You Expected?

It is 6 games into the 2011-12 NHL season and our Islanders are 3-3. Average. a .500 hockey team. Is this what you thought would be the team at this juncture? Did you feel we were better then this, or worse? Or is this about where the Islander should be at this point? Im trying [...]

Backchecking: Isles Making Moves On the Blueline – UPDATED

Backchecking: Isles Making Moves On the Blueline – UPDATED

In what seems like a great deal of recent activity following an exciting Islanders draft, the activity continues to pile on for the Islanders — most notably on the blueline. On day 2 of the draft the Islanders shipped out defender Bruno Gervais to Tampa Bay for “future considerations” and on Monday, they did not [...]

Brian Lee — Seen here at the 9th selection of the Senators in 2005. Would he make a good addition to the Isles blueline?

Backchecking: Would Lee Fit In On Long Island?

Today, the hockey world saw Brian Lee, the Ottawa Senators defenseman placed on waivers. Debate on hfboards and throughout the Isles Nation seems to be mixed as to if Brian Lee would make a good waiver wire pick up for the patch-work Islanders. I have little doubt that it is frustrating to most fans — [...]

NY ISLANDERS – A General Team Assessment For 2010/2011 Season

NY ISLANDERS – A General Team Assessment For 2010/2011 Season

Ahh, had a few weeks off for some rest, relaxation…ok, none of those really. Working for a new company and doing some real exciting stuff that you will see the results of later this Fall. It will eat into my blogging a tad. So be forewarned. However, our Tony Stabile is in the Isles Blog [...]

Capitals’ Mid-Season Report Card (part 2)

Capitals’ Mid-Season Report Card (part 2)

Currently the Caps are 13th in the NHL is number of goals allowed per game, 2.76. In addition, the Caps hold the 11thspot in the NHL ranking in regard to shots against per game, 29.5. These number aren’t stellar, but being in the top half of the league in any stat is worth noting.

Gimme a “D”!

Gimme a “D”!

I am excited about the Los Angeles Kings this season, especially with their depth at defense. One of my favorite D-men joined in the off-season and you can bet that Rob Scuderi will make the same kind of key plays in LA that helped Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup.  I also believe that Jack Johnson [...]