GDT: GDT #42 New York Islanders @ Utah Hockey Club | January 11th | 9:00 PM | F/2-1 W

[Rehabguy]

I can only comprehend the most recent thing that happened in front of my face.

That would be true if people did not know what to look for.

 

[Zeeker]

This team is pathetic. They should still sell and a three game winning streak compared to the last four seasons of mediocrity should not change anyone's mind on selling.

I’m getting major “win the last seven games of the 2016-17 season to fall one point short of the playoff” vibez

 

[NYI365]

The next 10-15 games are crucial in determining where Lou goes at the TDL.

The 7 game homestand sees us play Ottawa, Philly, San Jose, Columbus, Philly again, Carolina, and finally the Avs. If we're to start believing in these guys after this impressive 3 game road trip, wins against Ottawa, SJ and Columbus are musts, and at least 3/4 points vs PHI should be the goal. Colorado and Carolina aim to get points and go from there.

After that the schedule ramps up in terms of difficulty. At Philly, at Tampa, at Florida, vs Vegas, at Winnipeg, at Minnesota, vs Dallas, vs NYR, at Boston, vs Nashville, at NYR on March 3rd. Not getting any easier.

March 7 is the TDL. We're entering the most crucial stretch of the season. They need to thrive this homestand, if they come out .500 or worse they're not gonna be in a good spot with that schedule right afterwards.

 

[MJF]

I’m getting major “win the last seven games of the 2016-17 season to fall one point short of the playoff” vibez

Every season’s been like this since Lou got here. It’s absolutely unacceptable to have built teams that have to play balls to the wall from January to April and exhaust themselves just to make the playoffs in the last days of the season.

 

[Zeeker]

Every season’s been like this since Lou got here. It’s absolutely unacceptable to have built teams that have to play balls to the wall from January to April and exhaust themselves just to make the playoffs in the last days of the season.

Well, not 2018-2021. They comfortably made the playoffs in most of those seasons and didn’t need to play catchup in the latter months. They even started like 16-3 in 19-20.

This season though, let’s say my sails are deflated after Lou’s comments and this cute three game winning streak. Nothing will change.

 

[crashthenet]

I could understand the pessimism in everyone but in actuality the rebuild that needed to occur was their system of play. The team was in transition. The team is getting old but this system looks pretty damn good and the system alone can make all the difference come playoff time. Special teams have to improve and it doesn’t matter who is on the ice if the PP/PK systems are ineffective.

The team went from a mentally risky game plan where they were creating an impenetrable wall playing not to lose and capitalizing from other teams mistakes to playing on their heals eventually devolving into a fear of losing and outright panic while making a ton of defensive mistakes. That’s what happens when a pusher mentality falls apart and why I disliked the Trotz system so much. Playing not to lose is risky and the teams panicking and penchant for collapsing late in games started with that mentality. This is what Roy has been working on all season. Based on what has happened the past 3 games does anyone not like what they see?

In the short 3/4 of a season Roy has been here I see signs that he is successfully changing that. If they continue with these dominating 5 on 5 play why not go for it under this new system where the team plays to dominate and win? I’m all for going for it and I still have enough faith in this team based on what I am seeing now. I saw it as a process and I like the outcome thus far.

My thoughts were retool if the players continued to show that their individual mentalities were such damaged goods that you had to change the roster just to fix that.

I just wanted to get the Harry met Sally line in.

All kidding aside though, you make many good points.

Butch said something last night about where Duclair is at physically, 85% likely, and he sure looks it. That's too bad for him and us.