GDT: GDT #1 Utah Hockey Club vs New York Islanders | October 10th | 7:30 PM | F/OTL 5-4

[Tahoeblue]

My opinion after watching the game live

-Duclair and Tsyplakov are legit here. I like both and they add much needed holes on the roster
-Holmstrom had a solid game. I dont think he was that bad
-Pageau/Dobson/Lee/Wahlstrom were the worst players. I think that Wahlstrom is cooked. Nobody is saving him. Please get Gauthier in ASAP because you need speed with Maclean and Cizikas.
-Varlamov was shaky. I dont think he was that solid. Ilya should've started but I can completely understand why he aint playing
-PK needs work...Still...
-Noah Dobson's good and bad side came to play regardlessly. He really needs to fix defense, but where he still shines is offense. We really do need more out of the defense regardlessly. Romo had a poor game too.

-Utah's jerseys are clean. I actually love the baby blue
-Guenther and Cooley are brutal and so much fun to watch. I think them just leaving Arizona's entire debacle has them playing smoother
-Sergachev is a massive gain from the Lightning. I feel like that trade is their version of the Boychuck deal.
-If there is anyone who I barely noticed, It was Doan. That goal at the end was his first touch or something. Not a good look for a guy that some wanted as a possible calder candidate IMO


Overall, okay game, but very sloppy. Its clear this team needs Engvall in it more than a guy like Wahlstrom or even Lee. If we are gonna overreact, save it for the next few games. I think that if we want to leave with a very good positive, its that our top 6 should be fine.

Well said. 5 goals against and pk woes continue. Would have been nice for Varly to make that save against Doan late and of course better d coverage. I hope Barzal makes the same concerted effort to shoot more this season and especially on the pp.

 

[Rehabguy]

Right now Dobson’s too mentally and physically weak. He’s been that way far too long. His poor defensive game was only further enabled by the basketball defense Lambert had them playing. This is not what Roy is asking for. Teach this kid to simplify his game and pinch players against the boards to stop their forward progression. Play the man not the puck. Play a physical game for once in his life.

It’s still early with lots of hockey to play. Bury this one and keep moving forward.

 

[Bones45]

Didn’t see any comment on Barzal. He wasn’t skating at all.

 

[Throttle]

There were bigger boneheads tonight…

 

[Islander Class]

At least we managed a point in our Home Opener- and Duclair and Tsyplakov clearly add some much needed "juice" to the line-up.

Other than that- definitely put this one in the rearview, and get ready for a tough trip through the Central...

 

[IslesNorway]

At least the PK continued from where it left off last season, being utterly crap.

 

[Osakahaus]

Didn’t see any comment on Barzal. He wasn’t skating at all.

Barzal was fine.

 

[YearlyLottery]

I thought they played well last night. Dobson had two brutal plays on the last two goals that led to our loss. Would like to see them win Saturday night.

What a release by Tsyplakov though.

 

[Big L]

I feel like I must do an intervention for the PK. Anyone have the address for the Islanders? I have some tape of my local HS team and their PK which is light years ahead of the Isles. And they went 5-15 last year. SMH

 

[Lek]

Roy should make an example and just bag skate Dobson after this game

whole team

 

[Nosebleed40]

I was at the game. The two new additions played well. But Christ, it’s always the same with this team. The penalty kill was horrific, and I was able to really focus on their form. It appeared they don’t have any. Guys were skating all over on the PK looking lost & confused.

The best part is I turned to the guy sitting next to me after they made it 4-3 and said “watch them give it right back.” And they did as the words were coming out of my mouth.

 

[seafoam]

Same Shit Different Coach

 

[saintunspecified]

Didn’t see any comment on Barzal. He wasn’t skating at all.

He's was playing as the high forward most of the game,and he controlled the ice when he was on at ES. He played with a plan.

Utah has a lot of talent, but nyi gave that game away. With all the dobson talk (all deserved) nobody is mentioning that cizikas also had an awful game. Pelech looks like he's working very hard to get not much done.

Nelson looked better at ES than he did all preseason. When palmieri isn't on a heater his turnovers are hard to bear.

I expect to see foudy up soon bc nyi need a better pker. Neither 4th line wing should see their jobs as being secure. Don't know if foudy is the answer, but he's the only one they have.

 

[Big L]

But Christ, it’s always the same with this team. The penalty kill was horrific, and I was able to really focus on their form. It appeared they don’t have any. Guys were skating all over on the PK looking lost & confused.

The 4 man box that stands there and collapses towards the goalie is just so fvcking ridiculous. Allows the other team to pass back n forth and set up at will and get closer and closer to the net just waiting for the eventual good shot and because they’re 17 feet from the net, it’s in every time. Can’t stand to watch it.

 

[Islesfan22]

Same Shit Different Coach

Pretty much! Pk was bad pp not much better even though they got the luck pp goal off a skate. Dobson still can’t play defense.

 

[Lek]

I was at the game. The two new additions played well. But Christ, it’s always the same with this team. The penalty kill was horrific, and I was able to really focus on their form. It appeared they don’t have any. Guys were skating all over on the PK looking lost & confused.

The best part is I turned to the guy sitting next to me after they made it 4-3 and said “watch them give it right back.” And they did as the words were coming out of my mouth.

I am pretty sure that is the same exact thought that about 98% of us had.

 

[Big L]

Also lol on the WRHU post game, they mentioned the isles record in season opening games. Of the 52, something like 14-30-8. Of those, 13 openers at home. With a record of something like 3-7-3. Oye.

 

[periferal]

Same Shit Different Coach

If you want change....Then you need to make change. Duclair and Tsyplakov are fine, but the only offseason additions and they don't move the needle. If you bring back 95% of the same team then stands to reason that the results are going to be 95% the same as the season prior (and maybe worse if some players decline due to age).

 

[Rehabguy]

Opening night jitters. I really like the line-up they have here. Utah has the adrenaline flowing given they are the new shiny team everyone is talking about. That will wear off soon. Tysplakov is going to be a game breaker. Also didn't mind Duclair trying to do something there at the end. That's the whole purpose of overtime 3 on 3, to end the game as quickly as possible. It could have gone either way. Dobson just had a bad night and with his confidence pretty low at the end of the game perhaps he was not the best player to be passing the puck to.

 

[Rehabguy]

If you want change....Then you need to make change. Duclair and Tsyplakov are fine, but the only offseason additions and they don't move the needle. If you bring back 95% of the same team then stands to reason that the results are going to be 95% the same as the season prior (and maybe worse if some players decline due to age).

The change was made with bringing in Roy. The outcome may have not been what we wanted but the style of play they are playing will benefit this line-up in the end. I'd give a full year of Roy hockey before reaching any conclusions. This line-up is pretty strong and Duclair and Tsyplakov would be significant additions to any team. Utah has some good shooters and they are on a high right now. Two bad mistakes by Dobson ruined what could have been a great night for Tsyplakov. Dobson brings a lot to this teams offense but he still has to learn basic defense and he HAS to get physically stronger. I was hoping he would bulk up in the offseason. He's scared to use his body because he's physically not strong enough yet and puck handlers like him tend to puck watch too much rather than taking the body.