Games I'm looking forward to....

New York Islander Fan Central | 2/25/2009 09:57:00 AM |
Some fun games for the final month despite whatever the post-deadline roster is and some games that for me are a curiosity that I find myself looking forward to.

I know Phoenix was here last season and before that they were not at the Coliseum since 2002, they will play here next month. I want to see what I suspect will be Olli Jokinen's only visit as a Coyote.

The Islanders did play in Phoenix this season.

I also feel if Wayne Gretzky decides to step aside as coach, Tom Renney hooks up with general manager Don Maloney. I cannot tell you how much respect I have for Gretzky the coach unlike others who would never step into such a tough position after a legendary career.

This was a man who used to talk of retiring because of his fear of flying.

Colorado makes it's first visit since 2005 on Monday. I thought it was a lot longer and remember the game Garth Snow got caught at the blueline and had to scramble to make a save with the defense behind him. Feels like a generation ago we saw them here and this time Ryan Smyth will return with a Colorado team currently in fifteenth but somehow in the playoff mix.

The Islanders take a trip to Detroit before the season is over, I remember a win on a Mike York goal that I think was a 2-1 game. Could it really be that long?

Will we see former Islander Chris Osgood play his old team?

I know Mark Parrish never returned to the Coliseum with the Minnesota Wild and they visit the Coliseum in March, I know I wanted to thank him for his time here but want to see the Wild with Gaborik before his likely departure.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the Islanders play in Chicago. Seems like last time they visited the Hawks Alexei Yashin had four goals in a 9-2 win and Al Trautwig accused the Hawks of giving the game to the Islanders or the night Oleg Kvasha had an overtime goal.

I want to see those two games against Boston as a barometer, Islanders are 0-2 but had a great effort against them last time and were in a one goal game the day they were blown out at the end.

I want one more look at the Brodeur Devils under Brent Sutter now that they have risen to first place without him. Like Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe noted several times Saturday I would like to see a response against Mike Mottau before this series ends.

The final Ranger game is the first after the deadline so of course a curiosity. I want to see the initial roster changes by Garth Snow. I like Tortorella, think he's a very good coach but this is only his second stop and I'm skeptical of the working relationship with Sather unless Dolan fires him which I do think is finally coming.

Sure, I want to see the Senators with Campoli/Comrie and only wish that game were here. I have nothing negative to write about either player, Islanders signed Mark Streit and that somewhat negated Campoli's role which happens in sports. Garth Snow praised Comrie at length and I never read a negative quote from him who came here to try and be a first line player and carry a team and took one year deals.

A lot of players would not have gone for it.

Hopefully I can find a few more games that have me curious.

Park, Hilbert, Weight, Okposo, MacDonald, Streit for Nystrom award?
I think that's a good late season poll.




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