As I sat down in my cousin’s room last night to watch the game, I could not help but think that the Islanders had a great shot at winning. For one thing, Chris Simon would not be on the ice. Another method behind my madness was that the Penguins were missing two starters in Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen. But alas, I was proven wrong. Out-shooting the Penguins 52-21 meant nothing as the Islanders lost their 2nd straight game 4-2.
After an eventful trade deadline for the Penguins in which they acquired sharpshooter Marian Hossa, the Pens came out flat. The Islanders dominated the majority of the play in the 1st period but found themselves down 2-0 on goals by Evgeni Malkin and Jeff Taffe.
After trading away their lone power play option in the form of Marc Andre Bergeron, the Islanders power play, looked powerless. The Islanders were given 4 power plays in the 1st period including 1:34 of a 5 on 3. But the Islanders were barely able to keep the puck in the offensive zone. …
Tsn.ca is reporting that the Islanders have sent defenseman Marc Andre Bergeron to the Anaheim Ducks for a 3rd round draft choice.
Bergeron was the only threat the Islanders had on the power play this year. GM Garth Snow said he was not going to “sell” his players. I wonder what he calls this?
It is being reported that the Islanders have traded one of my favorite players, Chris Simon, to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th round draft pick.
Goodbye Chris, it has not been a pleasure
The Islanders made their first big splash, well maybe they made their first ripple.
The Islanders website is reporting the team acquired veteran defenseman Rob Davison from the San Jose Sharks for a 7th round draft pick.
Tsn.ca is reporting that the Islanders have re-signed Mike Comrie to a 1 year extension. Comrie’s name has been thrown around in trade rumors but it looks as if he is not going anywhere.
The first line center has 18 goals and 28 assists so far on the year.
Almost a year ago to the day, Islanders GM Garth Snow shook up the hockey universe by trading for “Captain Canada” Ryan Smyth. Snow showed every team in the NHL, that the Islanders are no longer the punchline of everybody’s joke. But if Islanders fans thought Snow was in a tough position last year, oh boy.
The Islanders are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. Currently the Islanders have 67 points and are 1 out of the final spot for the playoffs. 3 weeks ago, if a fan was asked if the Islanders should be ”buyers” or “sellers” at the trade deadline, the answer almost indefinitely would have been “sellers”. But due to their recent play, that answer may have changed. Going through a 7-game losing streak and then transitioning into a 6-game winning streak, has put Snow in one mighty bind. With the trade deadline a little over a day away, rumors are swirling about possible moves the Islanders will or won’t make.
The most popular of these rumors …
The strength of the bullpen in 2006 is what carried the Mets to 1 out away from the World Series. The weakness of the Mets bullpen is what spelled their demise in 2007. The bullpen will determine the Mets fate in 2008.
Lets see who we know is going to be in the Mets bullpen for the upcoming season:
Billy Wagner-Lock
Aaron Heilman-Lock
Pedro Feliciano-Lock
Scott Schoeneweis-Lock
Duaner Sanchez flourished in New York in 2006 boasting a 5-1 record and a 2.60 ERA. But then, one fateful night when Sanchez decided to paint the town orange and blue, he hopped into a cab. I’m sorry, I need a moment to collect myself. Sanchez injured his shoulder in an accident ending his season abruptly. Sanchez rehabbed and came back to the Mets lazy and out of shape. He injured his shoulder yet again, ending his 2007 season before it even started. Nevertheless, reports coming out of Port St. Lucie have stated Sanchez has looked excellent, with his velocity being higher than expected. I think it’s safe to assume …
“Hello, is it me your looking for?” This musical line is from Lionel Ritchie’s hit song “Hello”. While watching the Islanders last night, that line came to mind. Islanders fans have been waiting a very long time to see their team put together a streak of winning hockey like they have the past 6 games.
Coming off another come from behind victory Wednesday night, it was plain to see the Islanders were physically tired last night. Last night’s game would not have been very attractive for a casual fan. The game was very sluggish with a lot of neutral zone play but the Islanders kept plugging away and broke through when Miroslav Satan put the puck past Lightning goalie Kari Ramo for the only goal of the game. Rick DiPietro had to make 32 saves and recorded his 3rd shutout of the season. The Islanders stretched their winning streak to 6 games and are 1 point out of reaching 6th place.
While the game was not anything to write home about, there was one important event …
I’ve been hearing rumors that Six Flags is thinking about making an Islanders themed roller coaster. This season has been nothing less. From a 7-game losing streak into a current 5-game winning streak(their longest since 2003) the Islanders are once again in the thick of the playoff race.
Going into last nights game against the Washington Capitals, the Islanders were riding high after a come from behind win on Monday stretching their winning streak to 4. But with 4 out of their top 5 defensemen injured, the Islanders had a tall order in front of them.
The Islanders came out flat footed and 2 minutes into the game, goalie Rick DiPietro was forced to make a tough save on former Islander Viktor Kozlov from the top of the crease. Only seconds later however, Alexander Semin streaked down the ice on a breakaway, deked to his backhand and scored to put the Caps up 1-0. After the goal, the Islanders buckled down and increased their effort on the forecheck giving themselves more chances in the offensive zone. …
Drew Fata has been called up from Bridgeport to replace Andy Sutton, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Islanders comeback win against the Sharks Monday afternoon. Last night, the Islanders found out Sutton will be out 4-6 weeks and will join fellow defensemen Brendan Witt, Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais on the Islanders injured list.
Fata, who has been up and down with the Islanders and Soundtigers, has big shoes to fill (literally, Sutton is 6′6, he has big feet). Fata has shown a willingness to block shots and step up to join an offensive rush in his previous call-ups. He will need to play to the best of his abilities to keep the Islanders 4-game winning streak alive as they face off against the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin tonight.
Making a miraculous 3rd period comeback came at a price for the Islanders. Defenseman Andy Sutton suffered what appeared to be a left hamstring injury with only seconds left in the game. After delivering a big hit on Sharks forward Jeremy Roenick, Sutton stayed on his feet for a few moments but collapsed to the ice, doubled over in pain.
With the Islanders down by 2 in the 3rd, the team was sparked by Andy Hilbert, who forced his way towards the net and pounded home a rebound. Minutes later Mike Comrie made a great move, putting the puck between the legs of the defenseman and passed goalie Evgeni Nabokov to tie the game. Then with 8:41 left in the game, Freddy Meyer streaked down the far side boards and threw a prayer at the net that found its way between Nabokov’s pads to give the Islanders the victory.
Winning 4 in a row is sweet, but having 4 defensemen injured, leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
