GDT: GDT #53 New York Islanders vs Vegas Golden Knights | February 4th| 7:30 PM | F/W 2-1

[xECK29x]

Gusty grind it out win, Sorokin looks back in form

 

[scottywiper]

Noticeable change in how the team plays defense W/O Dobson in the lineup.

Based on his last two season, seems word is out to pressure him and he’ll fold, especially in critical moments.

Re-up TDA, trade Dobson for offense. Dobson isn’t THAT special.

Yeah, Dobson looked great last season until the end, he tapered off and didn't get it back this season. He seemed to look a bit more committed in the games before the injury.
I wonder if they consider what you are suggesting.

 

[BelovedIsles]

A blessing that so far has come out of this season is Sorokin has regained his form. This was my prediction in the offseason; players don’t just lose their talent. It’s a shame they are wasting his prime years on a mediocre roster.

 

[scottywiper]

Obviously, Ilya is part of it.
But a question.
Is it improved effort, roster tweaks (some due to injury) or were they struggling to adapt to a new system in first part of season?
Because their ability to protect a lead (and even on the PK) has improved dramatically.

 

[Throttle]

Don't use this game as the Dobson drags the team down measuring stick. The goaltending stole this win. We played 40 minutes in our own end.

It’s not limited to this game.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Obviously, Ilya is part of it.
But a question.
Is it improved effort, roster tweaks (some due to injury) or were they struggling to adapt to a new system in first part of season?
Because their ability to protect a lead (and even on the PK) has improved dramatically.

My galaxy brain theory is that Sorokin is so good and the goalie interference rules have gotten so strict that we are better off with smaller guys who can’t necessarily clear the crease, but are less likely to screen the goalie.

Give Sorokin the best chance at making a save. If they crash the net it’ll probably get called back anyway

 

[Chockey22]

Guy (Saad) who agrees to terminate his contract, giving up $4M guaranteed money, rather than go to the minors, wins a loose puck battle against a guy (Engvall) who went to the minors rather than losing out on guaranteed money.

Seems about right.

I think that goal is on Gatcomb, Saad is his guy that he let’s go; Engvall just not close enough to cover for Gatcomb’s mistake

 

[Fist of Fury]

I think that goal is on Gatcomb, Saad is his guy that he let’s go; Engvall just not close enough to cover for Gatcomb’s mistake

Engvall should cover everyone when he's on ice.

 

[Big L]

Isles all-time winning % vs Vegas probably one of the top in the league.

 

[Sparksrus3]

I think that goal is on Gatcomb, Saad is his guy that he let’s go; Engvall just not close enough to cover for Gatcomb’s mistake

Pierre is this you ?

 

[Taswell]

A blessing that so far has come out of this season is Sorokin has regained his form. This was my prediction in the offseason; players don’t just lose their talent. It’s a shame they are wasting his prime years on a mediocre roster.

I never questioned his talent, the only question is how he would do after back surgery, since it was so hush hush as to what he had done. Glad to see it hasn’t had any lasting effect.

 

[saintunspecified]

My galaxy brain theory is that Sorokin is so good and the goalie interference rules have gotten so strict that we are better off with smaller guys who can’t necessarily clear the crease, but are less likely to screen the goalie.

Give Sorokin the best chance at making a save. If they crash the net it’ll probably get called back anyway

I dunno about the small guy stuff, but imo the goalie interference lookout imo has been a big help to Sorokin on the PK. Dealing with traffic has always been a weak point (along with puck handling). Maybe being aggressive about challenging for interference has really helped his game.

I've also notice that while he's still a bit of an adventure with puck handling, he's become much more willing to leave the net to play the puck. Idk if that's Roy, but it's something I've been noticing in this stretch.

Sorokin is on a heater, as is Romanov, and Pelech. And jeez louise i can see why teams hand D'Angelo multi year deals. He has his flaws, for sure, but he's got really great anticipation with the puck, and always seems to approach it with a plan. History says this kind of focus doesn't last, but who the hell knows - some people don't turn 20 until they turn 30.

But these forwards, man. They're not it. They are definitely not it.

 

[Arsenalogist24]

I dunno about the small guy stuff, but imo the goalie interference lookout imo has been a big help to Sorokin on the PK. Dealing with traffic has always been a weak point (along with puck handling). Maybe being aggressive about challenging for interference has really helped his game.

I've also notice that while he's still a bit of an adventure with puck handling, he's become much more willing to leave the net to play the puck. Idk if that's Roy, but it's something I've been noticing in this stretch.

Sorokin is on a heater, as is Romanov, and Pelech. And jeez louise i can see why teams hand D'Angelo multi year deals. He has his flaws, for sure, but he's got really great anticipation with the puck, and always seems to approach it with a plan. History says this kind of focus doesn't last, but who the hell knows - some people don't turn 20 until they turn 30.

But these forwards, man. They're not it. They are definitely not it.

It’s crazy to say but the evidence is there. Being removed from Dobson & Pulock both Romanov & Pelech have been sooo much better. It’s probably too early but yes I’m extending TDA. He’s on a league minimum so really 3-4M I think can get him signed up and with rising cap it’s not bad

Forward group, yeah I agree with you. Feel like we’re saying it every year but yup need youth (speed & energy) and more high end talent (We’ve been able to do this with trades not free agency). I’m expecting us to make a big move again maybe before deadline? And definitely over summer, draft day, etc

 

[saintunspecified]

It’s crazy to say but the evidence is there. Being removed from Dobson & Pulock both Romanov & Pelech have been sooo much better. It’s probably too early but yes I’m extending TDA. He’s on a league minimum so really 3-4M I think can get him signed up and with rising cap it’s not bad

It's all about the years. Or the year, really.

 

[hangman005]

Hope it's a good one.

Well I guess losing by only one goal was gentle

Congrats on the win.

 

[leeroggy]

6 periods against Vegas and ONE goal allowed. Yes, Sorokin was excellent, but we also have to give credit to how the defensive zone play went. Many of the shots from LV were from the point and not a lot of them were from the middle of the point. Very few screened shots made it through, as the Isles also forced shots from wider angles that Sorokin could see. Can only remember a few shots from the slot.

It was Gatcomb's man on the goal, not Engvall. Saad made a great timing on his cut to the net; Gatcomb had his head on the swivel, but sometimes you tip your hat to the other guy. Not a breakdown, just a timing issue. And Goring did point out that Ilya got a little lazy with where he put the rebound.

1 for 1 on the PK, as that continues to shine now. On the 6 on 5, defended very well.

8 games left until the trade deadline:

Home and home with Winnipeg and the Rangers.

Go 6-2 and what do you do? That would make us 31-23-7 with 21 games left. 69 points in 61 games. 17-5 in 22. Win our games in hand and we are only 5 points behind NJ for 3rd. NJ is only 4-4-2 in their last 10 and have a tough slate of their own coming up.

 

[SRBisles]

6 periods against Vegas and ONE goal allowed. Yes, Sorokin was excellent, but we also have to give credit to how the defensive zone play went. Many of the shots from LV were from the point and not a lot of them were from the middle of the point. Very few screened shots made it through, as the Isles also forced shots from wider angles that Sorokin could see. Can only remember a few shots from the slot.

It was Gatcomb's man on the goal, not Engvall. Saad made a great timing on his cut to the net; Gatcomb had his head on the swivel, but sometimes you tip your hat to the other guy. Not a breakdown, just a timing issue. And Goring did point out that Ilya got a little lazy with where he put the rebound.

1 for 1 on the PK, as that continues to shine now. On the 6 on 5, defended very well.

8 games left until the trade deadline:


View attachment 972939


Home and home with Winnipeg and the Rangers.

Go 6-2 and what do you do? That would make us 31-23-7 with 21 games left. 69 points in 61 games. 17-5 in 22. Win our games in hand and we are only 5 points behind NJ for 3rd. NJ is only 4-4-2 in their last 10 and have a tough slate of their own coming up.

If they do make it, I’d rather take the WC2 spot in hopes Washington is a regular season fluke instead of another sure beatdown from Carolina.

 

[SI90]

A blessing that so far has come out of this season is Sorokin has regained his form. This was my prediction in the offseason; players don’t just lose their talent. It’s a shame they are wasting his prime years on a mediocre roster.

He has was dealing with back issues last year and had surgery. Could have took him a little time to get back into form. He looks great right now.

 

[periferal]

I think it’s overblown. There was only 2 huge issues. The incident in juniors and the fight with Georgiev.

Rod Brind’Amour went out of his way to say a lot of good things about him and so many of his former teammates throughout the years have vouched for him.

Ah - "ONLY 2 huge issues" eh? How many issues has Horvat, Dobson, Pageau, Lee, Barzal, Pelech, Sorokin, and on and on and on had?

Two huge issues is...Huge. And on top of that sometimes a player doesn't have to have "events" that make it all the way to the public. Sometimes a guy is just an ass on an every day basis and his teammates just don't like him.

Oh and you didn't mention the Flyers also buying him out mid-season (making him the first player ever to be bought out twice - and before 30!). We don't know why, but they were at game 70 in the season and still felt they couldn't wait just another 12 games. That speaks a lot louder than any quotes from a former coach you can regurgitate.

Overall ths is a perfect example of words truly meaning nothing. When any player/coach/executive speaks to the press it's never bad. Even when a player is a total loser you get a more "PG" version of his real character in the media. We all know if we were behind closed doors and could hear meetings just between coaches, scouts, or GMs you'd be floored at how different a player's description would be.

See if words actually meant anything to other GMs then a guy with TDA's skills would not be playing in the KHL before age 30. Last summer not a single one of the 32 teams wanted DeAngelo even for minimum wage.

But....But...Brind'Amour said such nice things about him (yet didn't offer him a contract last summer).

The Isles were truly desperate for D-help and took a chance on a guy who easily has NHL talent. If he turned his attitude around - Awesome. But let's not act like quotes to the media outweigh actual actions and a resume that clearly shows this guy has been anything but a good teammate up until at least the past year.