1/21: New York vs Carolina 2pm FSN

New York Islander Fan Central | 1/21/2008 12:25:00 AM | |
Islanders website/AP: Has the preview of today's 2pm game at home against Carolina.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For those scoring at home Philadelphia won big against Ottawa Sunday, New Jersey defeated Toronto, Pittsburgh without Crosby had a shutout and the Rangers got a point against Boston in two weekend games since the Islanders last gained a point.

Islanders are now six points behind three teams in this division who are all at least ten games over five hundred. If were hoping four seeds go to the playoffs from this division that may be ok, but given the Isles are going to have play those teams head to head to stay in playoff position down the stretch the Isles must gain points on a consistent basis against clubs out of division like the Canes.

Carolina was 2-7-1 before beating Edmonton 7-2 on Friday, they have has scored a power-play goal in three straight games and is among the league's highest-scoring teams with 3.02 goals per game. Cam Ward has been struggling as has the Canes defense.

Needless to say the Islanders are going to have to hope Witt and Martinek do not have a lot of rust on their game and can hold off a steaky Carolina team that scored eight goals against a rusty Islander team last time they were at the Coliseum but are very inconsistent as we saw on New Years Eve. The recent trends at home spread over a few weeks have not been good and it's clear the coach does not want them to get into any shootouts and play for a high scoring win.

My guess is Berard and Johnson are the healthy scratches on defense unless Ted Nolan sits a forward.

That spin the Isles had points in eleven of fourteen games after the Devils game now reads in the AP as having dropped six of nine for those curious.

Hopefully Satan's play to Vasicek get's that line going because they need more balanced scoring and clearly a better defensive effort with the shots and chances they are allowing. Vasicek took a few shots after his goal like the goal gave him some confidence.

No hiding from a bad game here folks, not in the conference standings and not from the Canes as both clubs meet Tuesday night in Carolina.