GDT: #55| New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs | February 14th | 7:30 PM | F/L 7-1

[majormet]

I agree.

Isles looked really good for parts of the game and Anderson was spectacular. He was due for a string game - has been terrible since Jan 1.

Leafs had a breakout 3rd period and the score is crazy but I will stick by the isles - it's one loss. Forget it and move on.

This is a much better team than the one I dumped on for the first half.

I look at this game and the Ottawa game with great concern. These are 2 road games against playoff teams and if you take out the penalty shot, Isles did not score a goal. Also Hickey, CDH, and Pelech are making 4-6 big mistakes per game, against Colorado that doesn't hurt but these 2 games are glaring,

 

[CupHolders]

Is Greiss a number one? I don't know... But to put some context to it. Carey Price has not looked like a number one either. So... we're just going to have to see how this team responds.

Would be funny if the Isles bring up Halak just to beat Lundqvist.

 

[Riseonfire]

Gonna pretend this one didn't happen.

On to the Rangers!

 

[Beautvillier]

Is Greiss a number one? I don't know... But to put some context to it. Carey Price has not looked like a number one either. So... we're just going to have to see how this team responds.

Would be funny if the Isles bring up Halak just to beat Lundqvist.

And then send him through waivers and they claim him.

 

[LeapOnOver]

This looked like the kind of game a coach gets fired after

This is also why Thomas Greiss has never had a starting job in the NHL. It was a Halakesque performance from him for sure.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

At no point in that game did I ever think, wow Greiss looks absolutely terrible tonight. Every goal, besides the first, was a shot within 5 feet of his crease. 3 cross crease one timers (having one be unintentional) and 2 empty netters for Kadri and Matthews. How quickly we turn on players after a bad game...

 

[JTforPres2012]

You can't get on Greiss for this one besides the first goal which was due to a bad giveaway. The third goal was just unlucky. Move on to the rags and the home and home with the Devils. Take 2 out of 3 and they're fine.

 

[JTforPres2012]

I have no idea how anyone is even remotely optomistic after this game, and I was pretty optomistic even when the Islanders were 10 points out or whatever

Because the team has been playing very good hockey and in reality, they are chasing Boston, not the Leafs. They were bound to lose at some point.

 

[crasherino]

I'm kinda glad they got embarrassed. losing 2-1 on a freak goal off a skate and losing 7-1 and getting your a$$ handed to you both count the same in the standings. I'd rather this team walk out of that lockerroom seething and ashamed and vowing that it will never happen again as opposed to simply saying "Dems da breaks - we'll gett'em next time."

They didn't get some breaks in the first two periods - that's true. But that effort in the 3rd period was laughable. As men, they must be saying to themselves "That can't ever happen again." At least I hope so.

I suspect we'll see a 60 minute effort on Thursday.

 

[seafoam]

Worst loss of the season (which is saying something) in the most important game of the year thus far.

That was quite the deflation as a fan getting excited about this team.

 

[BTrotts19]

I'm kinda glad they got embarrassed. losing 2-1 on a freak goal off a skate and losing 7-1 and getting your a$$ handed to you both count the same in the standings. I'd rather this team walk out of that lockerroom seething and ashamed and vowing that it will never happen again as opposed to simply saying "Dems da breaks - we'll gett'em next time."

They didn't get some breaks in the first two periods - that's true. But that effort in the 3rd period was laughable. As men, they must be saying to themselves "That can't ever happen again." At least I hope so.

I suspect we'll see a 60 minute effort on Thursday.

I agree with your assessment, but I was a bit upset that they didn't feel any embarrassment when the Leafs keep pressing and piling on after the 5th goal. I know they are the boy scouts but when their scorers are charging the net looking for rebounds, be nice for someone to step up and lay a big hit, get a little rough instead of just meekly accepting it. Teams like the Flyers, Kings, even the Pens rarely if ever let you get away with that--feel like their opponent is showing them up and take exception to that.

Hopefully they can start getting their act together on road games because if they can't, this Board will be back on Draft watch.

 

[crasherino]

I agree with your assessment, but I was a bit upset that they didn't feel any embarrassment when the Leafs keep pressing and piling on after the 5th goal. I know they are the boy scouts but when their scorers are charging the net looking for rebounds, be nice for someone to step up and lay a big hit, get a little rough instead of just meekly accepting it. Teams like the Flyers, Kings, even the Pens rarely if ever let you get away with that--feel like their opponent is showing them up and take exception to that.

Hopefully they can start getting their act together on road games because if they can't, this Board will be back on Draft watch.

The Islanders in the past were the same way. When they were getting beat badly, there was Boulton or Martin or some others that stepped up and started some unnecessary ****. In some ways it made them come off as sore losers, but I never minded it at all.

I don't disagree. Especially with these young kids on the TMLs. You can't let them have their way in your zone when you are down 5 goals. If Matthews is going to put one in, make him pay for it. And if that means someone has to fight Matt Martin (as he doesn't stand for his guys getting pushed around), so be it.

We are in the age where don't need to skate enforcers anymore. But it doesn't mean that that part of the game is completely erased. My point is that they are probably embarrassed now. It would have been nicer if they were embarrassed already in the 3rd period.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

That's fine - but gotta pot the ones at a higher percentage then they are.

Yeah, they need to draw more penalties too. Work harder.

There is a good opportunity for Garth here, right now the D is faltering but for the majority of the season guys have been great. I don't want to harshly grade Hickey and Pelech because together they have been awful but otherwise they have been nice. Hammer is coming back soon and Pulock is player of the week in the A. Let's move somebody out for help down the middle here! If de Haan for example is moved with Beauviller for Duchene, we can call up Pulock and fix the PP. Better team.

I have no idea how anyone is even remotely optomistic after this game, and I was pretty optomistic even when the Islanders were 10 points out or whatever

Because it's one game. It sucks because it was a big game but whatever, we can win the next 6 and this game won't matter. But if things are tight the next 5 weeks we can look back on this one and criticize but let's be honest, the floodgates opened at the end sure but this was tight.

 

[Benedict Kovalchuk]

The big takeaway for me was how desperately we need a legit catalyst for secondary scoring. If we had that I think we could have got Andersen to crack.

 

[First Blood]

The big takeaway for me was how desperately we need a legit catalyst for secondary scoring. If we had that I think we could have got Andersen to crack.

This

Also seeing those posters by Bailey & Nelson was so demoralizing. Our Islanders desperately need a finisher!

 

[MJF]

There is a good opportunity for Garth here, right now the D is faltering but for the majority of the season guys have been great. I don't want to harshly grade Hickey and Pelech because together they have been awful but otherwise they have been nice. Hammer is coming back soon and Pulock is player of the week in the A. Let's move somebody out for help down the middle here! If de Haan for example is moved with Beauviller for Duchene, we can call up Pulock and fix the PP. Better team.

Then why keep them together?

The best the current D corps played was Leddy/Pelech, Hickey/Boychuk, deHaan/Siedenberg. Pelech seemed to have jumpstarted Leddy's season and Pelech looked not at all out of place there. Until Hamonic is ready to play why not go back to these pairings? I have been calling for this for a few weeks now.

 

[1calledsteve]

Then why keep them together?

The best the current D corps played was Leddy/Pelech, Hickey/Boychuk, deHaan/Siedenberg. Pelech seemed to have jumpstarted Leddy's season and Pelech looked not at all out of place there. Until Hamonic is ready to play why not go back to these pairings? I have been calling for this for a few weeks now.

Even with Leddy, Pelech was sheltered. Lowest total minutes and against easy competition. Leddy right with Boychuk is our best pairing in all situations. Putting Pelech back up to that line nerfs it a bit and gives you less options.

I have no been a huge fan of Pelech this year. Small sample size obviously still but there is nothing to me that justifies him playing with Leddy and being carried by him. Personally I risk Mayfield through waivers and bring up Pulock.

To me Pulock and Pelech a defensive games are similar and both have had their own share of rookie Hic cups. But give me the guy with offensive upside in Pulock.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Is Greiss a number one? I don't know... But to put some context to it. Carey Price has not looked like a number one either. So... we're just going to have to see how this team responds.

Would be funny if the Isles bring up Halak just to beat Lundqvist.

Does anyone have an idea what Greiss' numbers are like since he took over as the undisputed #1 guy and was played like one?

At quick glance, it looks like his numbers have taken a bit of a hit since he became the guy who plays 9 games out of 10, compared to when he was more in a 1a/1b situation. But that might just be exaggerated by a couple of recent games giving up a lot of goals.

I've always thought the test of whether Greiss could be a legitimate #1 is how he handles the workload of a #1 over the course of a full season.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Then why keep them together?

The best the current D corps played was Leddy/Pelech, Hickey/Boychuk, deHaan/Siedenberg. Pelech seemed to have jumpstarted Leddy's season and Pelech looked not at all out of place there. Until Hamonic is ready to play why not go back to these pairings? I have been calling for this for a few weeks now.

I know I wouldn't, I can't figure out why they're still together.

 

[blitzkriegs]

Does anyone have an idea what Greiss' numbers are like since he took over as the undisputed #1 guy and was played like one?

At quick glance, it looks like his numbers have taken a bit of a hit since he became the guy who plays 9 games out of 10, compared to when he was more in a 1a/1b situation. But that might just be exaggerated by a couple of recent games giving up a lot of goals.

I've always thought the test of whether Greiss could be a legitimate #1 is how he handles the workload of a #1 over the course of a full season.

I believe they have gone down - but it also culminates with Weight opening up of the offense, which has resulted in more chances against.

A little hard to judge due to the coaching change, but his past several starts the team as a whole was craptastic besides PHI game.

 

[The Underboss]

Well that was a stinker.

 

[Sheva7]

Boy did I pick the wrong game to go to.

We were ok in the first 2 periods...a bit too loose for my taste, but still not all that bad.

That 3rd period was just awful.

Thing that stood out to me the most was just how bad the Dmen played. They had a lot of trouble making what should have been simple/routine plays. So sloppy. Most of the wounds were self inflicted.

Seidenberg was the worst player on the ice by a mile. Guy can't make an exit play to save his life. If he gets the puck behind his net you know it isn't leaving the Isles end until he gets off the ice. Guy stinks.

He needs to sit for Pulock (been saying it since November) and the rest of them need to snap out of it.

Also...Quine is not an NHL centreman....and Chimera is a 4th liner at best...and so is Kulemin.

 

[crasherino]

Boy did I pick the wrong game to go to.

We were ok in the first 2 periods...a bit too loose for my taste, but still not all that bad.

That 3rd period was just awful.

Thing that stood out to me the most was just how bad the Dmen played. They had a lot of trouble making what should have been simple/routine plays. So sloppy. Most of the wounds were self inflicted.

Seidenberg was the worst player on the ice by a mile. Guy can't make an exit play to save his life. If he gets the puck behind his net you know it isn't leaving the Isles end until he gets off the ice. Guy stinks.

He needs to sit for Pulock (been saying it since November) and the rest of them need to snap out of it.

Also...Quine is not an NHL centreman....and Chimera is a 4th liner at best...and so is Kulemin.

I would trade Seidenberg now for whatever we can get for him. We have too many Dmen when Hamonic comes back and Pulock needs to come up. If we can snag a 2nd round pick from some defense-needy team, I'd do it in a heart beat.

 

[Steve55]

Well at least Maple Leafs are losing to the Jackets 4-1 with 20 minutes to go.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Does anyone have an idea what Greiss' numbers are like since he took over as the undisputed #1 guy and was played like one?

At quick glance, it looks like his numbers have taken a bit of a hit since he became the guy who plays 9 games out of 10, compared to when he was more in a 1a/1b situation. But that might just be exaggerated by a couple of recent games giving up a lot of goals.

I've always thought the test of whether Greiss could be a legitimate #1 is how he handles the workload of a #1 over the course of a full season.

I 100% agree with this and why I was against a Greiss/Berube combo back when it was talked about last offseason. He looked slow and beleaguered last night and that was after a game off. He was slow going to side to side and there was definitely more than one goal he was responsible for last night. Funny how people give Greiss a pass, but Halak was badgered at every goal. Greiss didn't make any big saves last night, Anderson did and that was more the difference than effort imo.