 |
New York Up Against Wall... |
Simply put, they are losing the games they have to win, or at least get a point, and it seems they are working hard. If I were coach, I would not be criticizing this team.
It's been an odd season, but they seemed to have that ability to fight off top teams, and scratch out wins (Washington/Boston) but against Toronto the pattern was broken in a game they allowed only 22 shots.
Now they maxed out Varlamov, lost Pelech for the season, and Greiss has struggled, like he knows his future depends on the decision of another goalie in the KHL.
How much sustained traction can get they get out of #47,28,14,32,17, and score enough goals? We saw Ladd play ten minutes/go back.
Not putting anything on Dobson, he got beat on a good play. Boychuck whiffed on one, Toronto's goalie played well.
But here we are, they have to play Colorado, travel to Devils, who only lost to Colorado, both those teams will be more rested. They are facing losing three straight in regulation for the first time under this coach.
My thinking on Bellows/Ladd is if the players here are not getting it done (Eberle had a good game in Toronto like he's getting close) why are they going to change things? Varlamov has not been a goalie who carries teams in his recent past, he's not been a true #1 for a few years. Caps let their former backup (Trotz playoff starter in game one year they won cup) to Colorado.
Bottom line backs are against the wall, despite some slippage from teams around them, that won't last.
|
|
New York Notables..... |
Welcome to 2020....
Would I have signed up for fifteen over in this division on 12/31/19 back in October? Absolutely.
Is this team in trouble? Coach is flat out not been happy all season, he's not getting anything near how this team took over games, and just smothered the life out of the opposition into some very easy wins.
Do I think Trotz-Lamoriello are on the same page? Why was Ladd recalled, and presented like he did all he could and belongs here, only to play ten minutes, and go back with Trotz saying it's a "Lou decision"?
Is Trotz holding this together? Yes, but the man sounds like someone unhappy, he's flat out talking about throwing together lines, when in reality, he's had almost all his players return from a year ago. Filppula is approaching -30 in Detroit with about four goals, yet between Brassard, Bailey, Koivula, Cizikas nothing works on that third line center spot.
Dal Colle was hurt, but he also was moved to RW when Eberle went down, with neither playing producing on top of Komarov, Martin (injured) Johnston, #14 having a few moments, but far more is needed which includes Lee.
Even worse Greiss has struggled lately on some very soft goals, and #6,25 have had some troubles like teams are figuring out the defensive system, and pressure them into turnovers before the zone is cleared.
We watch the games, see the comments by the opposition, no one is talking about the NYI being the hardest team to play against like a year ago, we read how NY hung on, were outplayed, it's not how you compete for a cup.
Washington attempted 87 shots, had 39 shots on goals. Last year NY went 2-0 at Caps, both shutouts.
A while back wrote I this was not Weight's 2017 team that was eight over winning 6-5, 5-4, they would have the character/coaching to overcome what followed . I don't think a team fifteen games over that had a 16 game unbeaten streak is a bad team, but it's not how they got there last season.
Ultimately you want the team playing it's best hockey going into those last twenty games, but this is not another division, they are 3-4 days from the second wild-card in this mix, expect it to stay that way.
Is there best hockey in front of them? Possible, but the schedule is awful the last two months like it's been for years, they get no breaks/rest, less than anyone.
So now what? More games, keep scratching toward 20 over. To me every game is a two game swing. Before Caps game the number was 14 so you hope it's 15, not thirteen by end of day, overtime points work. Regulation losses to me are a minus two.
Add up those two regulation losses to terrible/struggling Kings, Ducks, Nashville, Columbus, 2-3 other games you are talking about 15 over being 25 over.
That's how you gain the separation needed.
|
|
Ladd sent back to Bridgeport |
#NYI #isles I'm disappointed. Ladd was really rolled out/interviered like he was back to stay, he did not get a fair opportunity or enough practice time to know much of anything unless he got hurt again.
— New York Islander Fan Central (@NYIFANCENTRAL) December 27, 2019
Trotz said it was a Lou decision.
|
|
Lamoriello Update: Clutterbuck surgery/Ladd recall |
#Isles game day updates from Lou Lamoriello:
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 21, 2019
- Clutterbuck out indefinitely, he will be back sometime this season dependent on the healing process
- Ladd has been brought up from Bridgeport
- Dal Colle is day-to-day
More updates here: pic.twitter.com/NzAT3ULazI
Trotz addresses the media ahead of today's game against Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/5XbemLv2W3
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 21, 2019
|
|
New York Notables |
One or two recent entries went missing, nothing earth shattering.
Status quo, keep pushing toward 15-20 over, that's how you make the playoffs in this division.
Bend but not break has been working, they allowed eight goals on twenty shots in a game they led 3-1 against a tired, struggling team. Then they won a skills contest against Boston which is encouraging, but you could argue, they played defense better against Nashville given Boston got 29 shots.
Bottom line it has not been last years dominating team, where the opposition praises their hard work. Moving forward maybe some players break out, and that changes. The hope is your team gets stronger later, not weaker. Schedule last two months will be worse than anyone as usual.
As for arena circumstances, Barclay's is outdrawing Nassau as usual with a winning team. It's clear nothing will make LI crew show up like other teams, the revenue won't be there. The articles/spin from LI crew will be filled with the usual misconceptions.
Dolan has his arena, his media will fight anything against it, but really does not have to do anything like 2011, 2013, 2017, when they created a circus to get their way. Ultimately the when fans don't show there will be no more hiding. NHL can't work in a failed suburb, with an ownership that's done all it can to eliminate excuses for younger generation not going to games.
For now the drumbeat continues, everyone knows the numbers. Caps, Canes, Bruins, Pens not going anywhere, teams will get hot on outside, and go up/down. NY will have to get their points, west will be dominated by east besides NYI who have lost major points to the weakest west teams.
Historical site was updated to reflect Tonelli/Goring, some past retirements, banners for the entire core of the four. Prospect site updated with all recent changes to players in juniors.
Nothing to be written about Ho-Sang that Lamoriello did not make clear.
Status quo, keep pushing toward 15-20 over, that's how you make the playoffs in this division.
Bend but not break has been working, they allowed eight goals on twenty shots in a game they led 3-1 against a tired, struggling team. Then they won a skills contest against Boston which is encouraging, but you could argue, they played defense better against Nashville given Boston got 29 shots.
Bottom line it has not been last years dominating team, where the opposition praises their hard work. Moving forward maybe some players break out, and that changes. The hope is your team gets stronger later, not weaker. Schedule last two months will be worse than anyone as usual.
As for arena circumstances, Barclay's is outdrawing Nassau as usual with a winning team. It's clear nothing will make LI crew show up like other teams, the revenue won't be there. The articles/spin from LI crew will be filled with the usual misconceptions.
Dolan has his arena, his media will fight anything against it, but really does not have to do anything like 2011, 2013, 2017, when they created a circus to get their way. Ultimately the when fans don't show there will be no more hiding. NHL can't work in a failed suburb, with an ownership that's done all it can to eliminate excuses for younger generation not going to games.
For now the drumbeat continues, everyone knows the numbers. Caps, Canes, Bruins, Pens not going anywhere, teams will get hot on outside, and go up/down. NY will have to get their points, west will be dominated by east besides NYI who have lost major points to the weakest west teams.
Historical site was updated to reflect Tonelli/Goring, some past retirements, banners for the entire core of the four. Prospect site updated with all recent changes to players in juniors.
Nothing to be written about Ho-Sang that Lamoriello did not make clear.