"This is a point that we probably should not have gotten," said head coach Ted Nolan. "Ricky was sensational, but he didn't get much help from the start of the game. We didn't play a very intelligent game.
One thing about Ricky is that we wouldn't be in the position we are in now without him. He'll stop a majority of the shots, but we need to give him some more help. We had way too many turnovers. It wasn't a good game. They're a proud group and they know when they haven't played well."
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Without DiPietro this game is four or five one by the end of the second period. He made about five outstanding pad saves and Colorado missed a few great chances.
For a team struggling as much as Colorado there was no excuse for this poor an Islander effort as they were out skated and outworked almost the entire game.
Theodore was a goaltender waiting for one quality shot to beat him, it never came.
Long stretches the Avalanche controlled the puck in the Islander end of the ice and made Wolski look like Gretzky. In one second period shift at even strength he had the puck and was able to set up like he had a powerplay.
Avs got breaks on both their goals but made those breaks, the first goal after an Islander powerplay expired the Islanders just were backed in, even if it produced a lucky bounce.
Islanders offense gave them virtually nothing all night, even after Theodore gave Jackman half the net on his goal and the Islanders drew another pp which looked lost all night and in overtime. Bergeron and many of the defenders were watching as Avalanche players took the puck and skated right at DiPietro.
Expensive night with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh winning again and the Rangers getting a point. Islanders were playing a team they easily could have gotten two from with the effort DiPietro gave them if he had any help.
Good news is they did add to the point total. Bergenheim, Comeau looked like the two best forwards. Islanders pp late in the game saw Colorado clear the puck shorthanded, DiPietro take the puck and shoot it up to Guerin and he still had not cleared the zone which brought an intentional offsides.
Not buying any altitude excuses after the first period, especially from a team with Western Conference players like Guerin, Comrie, Sillinger.
The fast surface in Edmonton is up next for the Islanders.