GDT: GDT #42 New York Islanders @ Nashville Predators | January 13th | 8 PM | F/3-1 L

[Osakahaus]

The funny thing is if they won this game I think most would say they played well.

Because they did

 

[PJGooch]

They scored to go up 1-0 and you might as well have turned an "INEPT" switch from off to on. They went from playing a strong, stout defensive game to a passive retreat. I've stopped trying to figure out why; now I'm just resigned to the reality that this is how they are going to play until the Lambert era ends.

Can't win a 3rd period faceoff. They trap themselves into board battles, and certainly can't win one. They try to flick and flip pucks out of the zone and then get caught scrambling when the opponent inevitably keeps it in.

It's like clockwork.

 

[Osakahaus]

Yet, Trotz routinely had Mayfield out there in critical minutes, especially the last minute of tie and winning games.

Except I can at least trust Mayfield, he's usually good in those scenarios. I got an issue when its the 4th line again when the islanders are flat out struggling to clear in the final minute

 

[Rehabguy]

“If the car didn’t break down it would be reliable”

And that's the illusion of Trotz hockey for 4 years on LI isn't it? Reliable up to a point and then at the most inopportune moment failed. Last night's game was a stark reminder of that period of Islander hockey. True, most teams fail to win the Cup, but so few teams fail as predictably and frustratingly in the same manner. The team continuously shoots itself in the foot by retreating. Who is surprised at this point that the team lost its lead from a screen provided by one of the Isle's own players? This is what happens when a team keeps retreating back in front of their own goaltender. Every good team knows this about the Islanders- they tend to turtle when they have the lead. Last night's loss might as well been a replay of every playoff series this team lost in the past 5 years. For the most of the game it looked good but they always ended up on the losing side of the match. I'm hoping Lambert moved on from playing not to lose. Last night did not give me much hope. Question is at this point was this Lambert or the team?

 

[MarsTBOW]

I can't comprehend what Martin did when the risk associated with icing the puck was minimal. The cross ice dump is a good play to avoid icing but not here.

There was also no reason for Mayfield to have stick where it was. He has mental lapses on a regular basis when used beyond his capabilities and the Martin turnover put him in a tough spot. Still, that shouldn't have happened. An easy save by Sorokin turned into a disaster.

That stick break was the second time that I saw a puck snapped a stick and wound up fluttering into the net!!!! Can't remember the game, but Sorokin was in the Nets for that one too!
Not Faulting him one bit on that goal either....
I know I'm an Old Timer but going back to D-Men Using "Sherwoods" Hockey sticks instead of these Flexible Pansy Sticks would be a step in the right direction!!!!
No puck would snap an old school "Sherwood"!

 

[Potvottier]

Part of the problem last night, was that we had no defensive Dmen available.

Pelech is playing scared. Mayfield is a mistake machine (Edit: He has played well, but he didn't last night). Aho is a no. Dobson is weak defensively. Reilly has one of the worst +/- on the team.

IDK why Martin was out there. Maybe because he was fresh?

Still, the winning goal was one of the freakiest goals that I have seen. That is just s*** luck.

I'm sitting here hoping that all these trials that we've experienced lately, will become precious experience. And the boys put it all together and put on a good show for us this year.

 

[MarsTBOW]

That was when Dobson was a kid. He is now a #1D and who should be out there in the last minute, not Mayfield.

100%!

Part of the problem last night, was that we had no defensive Dmen available.

Pelech is playing scared. Mayfield is a mistake machine. Aho is a no. Dobson is weak defensively. Reilly has the worst =/- on the team.

IDK why Martin was out there. Maybe because he was fresh?

Still, the winning goal was one of the freakiest goals that I have seen. That is just s*** luck.

I'm sitting here hoping that all these trials that we've experienced lately, will become precious experience. And the boys put it all together and put on a good show for us this year.

Nope, Martin and Clutter went out there for 2 outta the last 3 shifts so he was not just in "The Next Line Up".
He was told to go back out there by Coaching Staff

 

[Nassau Revisited]

Yet, Trotz routinely had Mayfield out there in critical minutes, especially the last minute of tie and winning games.

That was Mayfield 3/4 years ago. Father Time quickly caught up to Mayfield

 

[Zeeker]

I held off from posting last night, but glad to see some of the optimistic contingent come around on wanting Lambert gone yesterday.

On the other hand, I find it very convenient to say “this team would be within a few points of the conference with a competent coach.” Very easy to say that when truly we have no idea. Maybe they would, they very well might still be an inconsistent bubble team, but it’s at least very clear Lambert is a net negative.

 

[Nassau Revisited]

I held off from posting last night, but glad to see some of the optimistic contingent come around on wanting Lambert gone yesterday.

On the other hand, I find it very convenient to say “this team would be within a few points of the conference with a competent coach.” Very easy to say that when truly we have no idea. Maybe they would, they very well might still be an inconsistent bubble team, but it’s at least very clear Lambert is a net negative.

The amount of points “given away” is mind blowing for half a season.

 

[dlawong]

The game today is not the same as a decade ago. It got so much faster and the top players in this league are big, fast, with elite hand-eye, and can react quickly on a dime. Goalies also keep getting bigger and faster consistently. The team needs to take this into these when drafting, trading, and signing players. Size/Speed/eye/hand/fitness combination matters now more than ever. Effective coaching is important but it can't be accomplished without 3 key ingredients - tools (the players), chemistry, and structure (execution).

 

[MJF]

That was Mayfield 3/4 years ago. Father Time quickly caught up to Mayfield

Maybe. But I’d like to see Mayfield, Pelech, Pulock with a different head coach before I pronounce their careers are done.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Just saw the game. I can't believe what I just saw.

So many good things over the course of the game, but the number of unforced turnovers, especially when it came to simple puck management (like getting it out of the zone when you have a 100% opportunity to get it out of the zone), not only eventually bit them in the a$$, but directly cost them the game.

Palms turns it over with the easy opportunity to move out, then takes a penalty. At that stage of the game. Are you kidding me?

Martin curls with that puck in his own zone with just seconds left and could have just lifted it out nice and easy, if not skate it out himself.... And sends it right to the opponent at the blueline???

This was bantam level failure.

What an absolute disappointment.

If this team should go on to miss the playoffs by 2 points, this will be the first game I'll think of.

***
SOROKIN was awesome.

How could the guys leave him hanging like that with all these miscues???

***
If Wahlstrom hasn't completely played himself out of the line-up, I just don't know what to say. That one shift where he lost the puck in the neutral zone and then fired it out of the own zone corner straight to the opposition blueliner.... I mean, wow!!!

 

[BelovedIsles]

Still miffed about this loss. In a larger vein, I’m miffed this guy is probably going no where. C’mon Lou, grow those balls back.

 

[Rehabguy]

Just saw the game. I can't believe what I just saw.

So many good things over the course of the game, but the number of unforced turnovers, especially when it came to simple puck management (like getting it out of the zone when you have a 100% opportunity to get it out of the zone), not only eventually bit them in the a$$, but directly cost them the game.

Palms turns it over with the easy opportunity to move out, then takes a penalty. At that stage of the game. Are you kidding me?

Martin curls with that puck in his own zone with just seconds left and could have just lifted it out nice and easy, if not skate it out himself.... And sends it right to the opponent at the blueline???

This was bantam level failure.

What an absolute disappointment.

If this team should go on to miss the playoffs by 2 points, this will be the first game I'll think of.

***
SOROKIN was awesome.

How could the guys leave him hanging like that with all these miscues???

***
If Wahlstrom hasn't completely played himself out of the line-up, I just don't know what to say. That one shift where he lost the puck in the neutral zone and then fired it out of the own zone corner straight to the opposition blueliner.... I mean, wow!!!

The good things you saw was up to the point they got a 1 goal lead. After that came the problem. There are no individual issues. They put themselves under so much unnecessary pressure repeatedly trying to finish games in their own defensive zone. Under his much pressure anyone, Pelech, Mayfield, Sorokin, Martin, Palmieri (otherwise very defensively sound players) will occasionally have puck management issues because the coach has them playing in their own defensive zone daring the other team to take shots at our goaltender. A defensive system problem not a player problem.

How many times do we have to hear from Lambert that is is a puck management issue when he has the other team breathing down his player's backs every time the team takes a one goal lead? He should be emphasizing keeping the puck in the opposition zone run the clock down or a novel idea- maybe try to score another one? Instead he has them defending a small lead in their own defensive zone.

 

[Throttle]

I held off from posting last night, but glad to see some of the optimistic contingent come around on wanting Lambert gone yesterday.

On the other hand, I find it very convenient to say “this team would be within a few points of the conference with a competent coach.” Very easy to say that when truly we have no idea. Maybe they would, they very well might still be an inconsistent bubble team, but it’s at least very clear Lambert is a net negative.

Fits the narrative that a fan is smarter than the coach and GM with .5% of the info.

 

[beach]

The funny thing is if they won this game I think most would say they played well.

That's now irrelevant. They did play well. But you cannot come out of that game without a point.

 

[Lights911]

If Martin doesn’t get scratched then there is simply no accountability. Watch Lambert scratch Engvall instead.

We found out there was no accountability when Clutterbuck wasn’t scratched after his brutal turnover in the last few seconds of regulation in Colorado.

 

[Throttle]

We found out there was no accountability when Clutterbuck wasn’t scratched after his brutal turnover in the last few seconds of regulation in Colorado.

Not really, a majority of coaches would not scratch a veteran player for that. That’s a bit unrealistic.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

I swear to god, when the camera panned through the crowd, there was a woman holding a straight up 70's Hungry Man style TV dinner in an aluminum tray. Pretty sure it was salisbury steak.

 

[MarsTBOW]

Fits the narrative that a fan is smarter than the coach and GM with .5% of the info.

Do you agree that a coaching change is needed?
I'm just curious because Barzal has proven you wrong and I'm wondering if this is the next "Hill" you want to die on?

 

[Lights911]

Not really, a majority of coaches would not scratch a veteran player for that. That’s a bit unrealistic.

Clutterbuck was also on the ice immediately after to kill the penalty which his turnover caused.

 

[Throttle]

Do you agree that a coaching change is needed?
I'm just curious because Barzal has proven you wrong and I'm wondering if this is the next "Hill" you want to die on?

He’s proven me wrong? Interesting. The Isles are out of playoff spot…but he’s a point a game player! Yah!

And if he’s proving me wrong, then you should be happy about that bc he’s ‘maybe’ earning his keep. I look for the best and highest paid players to be the best and lead their teams. Barzal ain’t there yet.

 

[MarsTBOW]

He’s proven me wrong? Interesting. The Isles are out of playoff spot…but he’s a point a game player! Yah!

And if he’s proving me wrong, then you should be happy about that bc he’s ‘maybe’ earning his keep. I look for the best and highest paid players to be the best and lead their teams. Barzal ain’t there yet.

LOL SMH.
I'm satisfied with what Barzal has done this year. Could he improve even more?
I think so.

 

[saintunspecified]

We found out there was no accountability when Clutterbuck wasn’t scratched after his brutal turnover in the last few seconds of regulation in Colorado.

I don't see how the Islanders can scratch any wingers despite the fact that their wing play is simply awful. As Chapin mentioned, the Palmieri & Martin turnovers were the primary issues. I don't understand either of them, but the Martin one was simply terrible. Pageau and Barzal were occupying coverage. That's the time to either move his feet or complete one of those flip plays. Even if it goes south (i.e. an icing), there's two centers on the ice. But that wasn't characteristic for Martin.

Palmieri otoh has been consistently awful in every area of the game except the power play. Palmieri is leading the team in minus. (The fact that Engvall, on his line, is even tells you about all there is to know about that. Engvall at least usually allows his linemates to say on the correct side of the puck.). He's lost 3 steps, not 1, and (unlike Clutterbuck) I don't think he knows it.

Truly excellent goaltending on both sides. Extremely skilled. Saros is such a throwback, especially the way he gets to & then moves the puck. Every shot that could have been stopped was stopped. Horvat scores a goal against most of the goalies NYI have faced this year.