2/7: New York at Pittsburgh 7:30pm FSN

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/07/2008 04:00:00 PM | |
I already had the Islanders game preview thread in another link.

Cory Witt in his media blog reported it's Ty Conklin in goal for Pittsburgh here with no other changes.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Earlier I did not have much to write in terms of a preview for this game and was not going to do one until I heard Ted Nolan's comments on ITV where he talked about the team looking better in practice and that they can get back to what kept them in contention to this point.

We know the numbers and the Isles struggles and how well Pittsburgh is playing without Crosby, Roberts and Fleury. Of course, we all know the standings.

Having written that for myself, this comes down to one thing. Do the Isles believe they can win the opening shift. Player for player can they simply outwork another teams line and do it with hustle and energy and establish their game from the opening faceoff and see if it can carry over the to the next line and the one after that?

In other words get in the game and be competitive and outwork the opposition from the drop of the puck. If Pittsburgh makes more plays and scores, big deal but it's time to see this team work and skate.

I know were are talking different circumstances and generations but in 1975 when the Isles were down 3-0 to Pittsburgh Al Arbour went into the room and told his team win a shift, then another one, then a period and forget the big picture. Can you outplay your man on the other team the next shift?

That's kind of what I see this team having to do because the big picture is just overwhelming. Win a shift tonight, then another one. Gut out a win tonight, score a few dirty goals by outworking the Penguins defense and play some strong team defense and stay out of the box and do it step by small step and if DiPietro has to make forty saves keep the shots to where he has a chance.

Small steps. One win can complete change things, Islanders lost six in a row last year and even though the intangibles are far weaker for this team than the one that rallied a year ago, there is no reason they cannot beat a team they have had success against.

Note-Not sure win or lose if I will be blogging after the game, if not tonight check back in the morning.

Updated 6pm:
Newsday: Greg Logan updated his Newsday blog which had Satan's comments he was playing with a knee injury that was supposed to keep him sidelined up to two months. He intends to return in a few days if possible by his comments. Bill Guerin praised Blake Comeau while Ted Nolan talked about looking forward to see his youth in prime opportunities to achieve. Mr Logan talked of his Friday feature on Mike Comrie and the Isles trip to Minnesota against Sean Hill.

This will also be the Isles first game against Mark Parrish since he was traded to the Kings at the end of the 05-06 season.