Nelson Re-Signed Six Years

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/23/2019 12:13:00 PM | Comment Here
Nelson comments:
No comments:
Labels:

New York On The Ice: Best Season In Generations

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/16/2019 05:48:00 AM | Comment Here
The title says it all, they were that good at their best.
To go from the most goals/shots/penalty kill against a year ago to this almost understates how well this team, with a schedule since late Feb that was terrible played, it was the singular reason they did not hold first place.
Everyone bought in from day one, the character targeted so often in the past drafts lived up to their expectations. Someone found a way every game, it did not matter who.
Mayfield, Pelech contracts are downright steals. Toews was exactly as advertised which anyone who followed Bridgeport knew. Pulock's offense dropped, but his speed/skill moving puck carried team. Boychuk, until the end looked reborn/the system protected him, Leddy's speed/skill moving puck carried team also.
Forwards brought in/helped layer defense, stabilized penalty kill, and system gave goalies many 20-25 shot against games. The fourth line that used to be at best an even shift, got twenty out of Cizikas, Martin got his share, and Clutterbuck struggled but got a few. That line set the tempo, and won a lot of games outright.
For me the 2018-19 New York Islanders checked every box you have seen me write about here since 2007/earlier, almost to perfection.
Avoid regulation losing streaks...check...Build up record, get to eight over, then ten, twelve, fifteen, eighteen, twenty..check..check..check. Keep shots against down..massive check. Eighty two games, and no regulation losing streaks longer than two games...Unreal, and all 82 games were high pressure games/so many must keep pace games as Carolina, Montreal, Columbus, even Flyers until late just would not go away. 
Expected improvement, as soon as Trotz was hired, and playoff contention. Nothing like least goals/shots allowed.
They got two goalies coming off terrible years, and protected them very well. Lehner/Greiss deserve every accolade plus Jennings, and Vezina consideration.
We know the powerplay struggled badly, but on paper it was not far off from many other teams.
Had no doubt they could beat Pens if they caught them at the right time, they did. Game three was textbook, as NY got stronger, Pens were chasing them the entire third period.
The calls against Carolina spoke for themselves. I'm still bitter, and feel NY could easily be playing. NHL has had a poor playoff, with many horrendous calls, three calls played a big part in ending NYI season. Full marks to Carolina.
Lou Lamoriello can blame himself for the deadline, but it's not fair. Tavares lack of a return is a big factor, he finished higher than Toronto, who kicked him upstairs, and took two players/Pierre Greco from them.
Barry Trotz lived up to all my expectations, and more. He deserves Jack Adams by a mile, his press conferences were must see television, we all learned things, so did players.
It was the best season in generations (despite 101,100 point seasons recently), they deserved better, but all eight teams in this conference could have won the cup that qualified with Montreal.
I'm very proud, but this is a fan who still expects Stanley Cups every year.
No comments:

5/6/19: Lamoriello-Trotz Comments

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/06/2019 07:34:00 PM | Comment Here
No comments:

New York Eliminated

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/03/2019 09:36:00 PM | Comment Here
What do you want me to write?
Felt officiating decided first two games, and handed Canes the 2-1 goal in game three. But past that Aho made a great play to pick puck out of mid-air, and center it for the 3-2 goal, and we got the first big sign of trouble, what was expected. 14-2 Canes in shots, and closed out game easily.
Then, with Carolina getting healthy we all saw what I wrote about before the series, and why I felt Carolina could win in five, their speed/skill did to NY, what they did to Washington in Carolina, and what they did for months, just not losing, making it hell for NY to clinch a spot. Then they put up a never say die series with Caps where they just would not go away, even down in game seven in the third period. Look at that 4-1 goal, elevated pass, redirected out of mid-air, great play by Canes. Too bad Pelech put in 1-1 goal, but their skill forced that.
It was a bad match-up for NYI, my entries reflected my concern.
NY did what they could in the third down 4-1, could not break through, then a breakdown 5-1. Nelson made it 5-2 at the end.
The injuries/officiating helped Canes win at least 2/3 early games, game four after the first period, it was basically over. Their speed/skill was too much, the hole too deep, it was time for Carolina to show what they have done for months, and they did.
NY gave up no goals for 60 minutes of game one, the call against Lee was a joke, game two they allowed 18 shots, Towes did not kick the puck on goal.
More in the coming days, end of an excellent season. There was a lot to proud of here, but it should not have ended here, with officiating playing a major role. I'm bitter about how the officiating decided two games outright, and handed Carolina a big goal in game three where a player grabbed the puck, and carried it with a closed hand.
We'll see if Lamoriello decides to return, he has nothing left to prove, and did a fantastic job. Trotz should win the Jack Adams easily.
No comments:

Trotz 5/2 Update

New York Islander Fan Central | 5/02/2019 03:41:00 PM | Comment Here
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)