Newsday: Mark Herrmann covered practice in the Islander blog and reported it's likely the club will go with the same lineup on Saturday against New Jersey as Bergenheim and Berard continue to work their way into game shape. Bill Guerin who turned thirty seven received a birthday cake which did not apparently survive long.
Media Week: Anthony Crupi reports on the announced increase in local television ratings by Msg-Fsn.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Hate to rain on the parade but if Msg is giving out these reports it seems like spin which is the same kind of spin were seeing from the Islanders on attendance increases. Two home games against the Rangers and neither game was sold out and one where " Loudville " tickets were sold did not fill the building.
Bottom line hockey needs it's hype and early in the season is a tough sell for hockey in such a baseball intensive market and some buzz does have to be generated that the media will not do.