GDT: GDT #7 New York Islanders @ Columbus Blue Jackets | October 28th | 7:00 PM | F/W 2-0

[SI90]

Awful, wife and I just completed a re-watch of the series and the reunion literally yesterday.

Sad and tragic.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Solid game. Would have scored more if the Jackets goalie did not play amazing. Wally had to hit the net.

 

[Bones45]

Do we ever beat them?

Yes.

 

[CupHolders]

Certainly the highest paid player can’t carry the team…(or produce).

He was visible, didn’t you see that amazing zone entry on the PP where he gained the zone and immediately turned over the puck?

lol. I guess credit to you for remaining on brand.

Barzal @ 9.1M… “but the turnover…”

Horvat @ 8.5M (with just as an egregious turnover)… “no biggie, paid less.”

 

[leeroggy]

Yes.

Bones practicing Says Law

 

[Zeeker]

What happened to that guy MikeC who posted here 100 times per night, did he get banned? The GDTs are lacking in terms of quantity without him

 

[Big L]

What happened to that guy MikeC who posted here 100 times per night, did he get banned? The GDTs are lacking in terms of quantity without him

Mods told him to beat feet.


yet some posters here are allowed to post the same drivel over and over. there is no justice

 

[PK Cronin]

What happened to that guy MikeC who posted here 100 times per night, did he get banned? The GDTs are lacking in terms of quantity without him

He's still around, sticks to the main boards for the most part it seems.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Mods told him to beat feet.


yet some posters here are allowed to post the same drivel over and over. there is no justice

Yes because we give a flying f*** about targeting certain posters.

 

[Big L]

Yes because we give a flying f*** about targeting certain posters.

Intentional or not, some of you may give off that impression, yes.

 

[Throttle]

lol. I guess credit to you for remaining on brand.

Barzal @ 9.1M… “but the turnover…”

Horvat @ 8.5M (with just as an egregious turnover)… “no biggie, paid less.”

Horvat has a UFA contract, the other player has a hope and dreams one.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Intentional or not, some of you may give off that impression, yes.

Trust me when I say no Isles mod genuinely cares enough to target users like Mike considering he still posts.

 

[The Real JT]

What happened to that guy MikeC who posted here 100 times per night, did he get banned? The GDTs are lacking in terms of quantity without him

Mike C as I recall, is a self described ex-New Yorker.

He posted frequently and was polite and complimentary to many of us. Since many here have NY roots with its inherent sarcasm and critical eye, that didn’t go over well for some.

If we consider only his comments on the state of the Isles, I thought he added to the conversation.

I also get the feeling he’s been around the block and decided that being a nice guy is better than being a prick.

 

[Rehabguy]

While I always enjoy a win and glad they got two points this was a typical Islander game that was held so unnecessarily close that it could have easily gone the Blue Jackets way. How long did they hold onto that 1 goal lead playing not to lose? They nearly lost the game and I’m not convinced against a playoff team they would have won. Much of the same game plan that fails in the playoff. The team certainly can make the playoffs but it needs to learn to finish off teams more convincingly for me to be satisfied.

 

[PK Cronin]

While I always enjoy a win and glad they got two points this was a typical Islander game that was held so unnecessarily close that it could have easily gone the Blue Jackets way. How long did they hold onto that 1 goal lead playing not to lose? They nearly lost the game and I’m not convinced against a playoff team they would have won. Much of the same game plan that fails in the playoff. The team certainly can make the playoffs but it needs to learn to finish off teams more convincingly for me to be satisfied.

They were pushing on offense the entire game and didn't attempt to sit on the lead so I'm not sure what you're even talking about. The inability to score doesn't mean they weren't attempting to do so. There was a moment where Columbus took control of the game, maybe around the 10 minute mark in the third period, and it lasted for about 5 minutes or so. Hockey has ebbs and flows, you cannot and should not expect one team to always be dictating play.

 

[leeroggy]

Intentional or not, some of you may give off that impression, yes.

But I do it with a true touch of class . . . almost Hemingway like
If only my social life was as successful

While I always enjoy a win and glad they got two points this was a typical Islander game that was held so unnecessarily close that it could have easily gone the Blue Jackets way. How long did they hold onto that 1 goal lead playing not to lose? They nearly lost the game and I’m not convinced against a playoff team they would have won. Much of the same game plan that fails in the playoff. The team certainly can make the playoffs but it needs to learn to finish off teams more convincingly for me to be satisfied.

It did take YOU longer!

How many men want to hear about the labor, we just want to see the baby. It’s more relaxing

 

[MJF]

They were pushing on offense the entire game and didn't attempt to sit on the lead so I'm not sure what you're even talking about. The inability to score doesn't mean they weren't attempting to do so. There was a moment where Columbus took control of the game, maybe around the 10 minute mark in the third period, and it lasted for about 5 minutes or so. Hockey has ebbs and flows, you cannot and should not expect one team to always be dictating play.

The Isles simply have no finish in their sticks. It's an old story.

 

[mm11]

just win Monday.

 

[Lights911]

Horvat has a UFA contract, the other player has a hope and dreams one.

The same guy dished out both deals.

 

[Throttle]

The same guy dished out both deals.

That is 100% true.

 

[Rehabguy]

They were pushing on offense the entire game and didn't attempt to sit on the lead so I'm not sure what you're even talking about. The inability to score doesn't mean they weren't attempting to do so. There was a moment where Columbus took control of the game, maybe around the 10 minute mark in the third period, and it lasted for about 5 minutes or so. Hockey has ebbs and flows, you cannot and should not expect one team to always be dictating play.

Nah. Every game it’s always sitting onto a one goal lead. This game could have easily been lost. No one’s saying keep pushing the entire game but when you have a lead of only goal don’t sit on it try to build on it. I agree they did a better job but I want to see them really press when they take a lead. Exactly as the Avs did. As soon as they scored one goal they kept aggressively pressing until it was 3 quick goals and game over. They don’t give the other team a chance to regroup as the current Isles often do.

Again this game was 50/50 because they allowed it to be. This is not chess. There are emotional ebbs and flows and you have to know when to take advantage of those. Play to win. Don’t play to not lose. The way they finished off this game was exactly the way they lost every playoff series. Relying too much on their goaltender and moving backwards when they should have been going forward. To use an analogy this is like a boxer who just landed some solid punches and has his opponent on the ropes but instead of finishing off his opponent they inexplicably hold their punches hoping the match goes the distance and invariably loses either by a knockout or on points.

This is what the Islanders are doing and it was very evident in every playoff series. They should have beaten Tampa Bay at least one of those series. They absolutely should have beaten Carolina but they let those teams back in the game by not finishing off those teams when they had them on the ropes. When those teams were losing confidence during certain moments during the game- like when they just got scored on the Isles should have continued a relentless attack. Good teams do this as the Avs did to the Isles a few games ago. You might be excited with the win but as a fan whose already seen this song and dance before I don’t think they are going to go very far when it matters. They were lucky they won this time but I’m not too confident in the way they approach the game. They need to learn to finish off their opponents better.

 

[JohnTonelliRises]

Nah. Every game it’s always sitting onto a one goal lead. This game could have easily been lost. No one’s saying keep pushing the entire game but when you have a lead of only goal don’t sit on it try to build on it. I agree they did a better job but I want to see them really press when they take a lead. Exactly as the Avs did. As soon as they scored one goal they kept aggressively pressing until it was 3 quick goals and game over. They don’t give the other team a chance to regroup as the current Isles often do.

Again this game was 50/50 because they allowed it to be. This is not chess. There are emotional ebbs and flows and you have to know when to take advantage of those. Play to win. Don’t play to not lose. The way they finished off this game was exactly the way they lost every playoff series. Relying too much on their goaltender and moving backwards when they should have been going forward. To use an analogy this is like a boxer who just landed some solid punches and has his opponent on the ropes but instead of finishing off his opponent they inexplicably hold their punches hoping the match goes the distance and invariably loses either by a knockout or on points.

This is what the Islanders are doing and it was very evident in every playoff series. They should have beaten Tampa Bay at least one of those series. They absolutely should have beaten Carolina but they let those teams back in the game by not finishing off those teams when they had them on the ropes. When those teams were losing confidence during certain moments during the game- like when they just got scored on the Isles should have continued a relentless attack. Good teams do this as the Avs did to the Isles a few games ago. You might be excited with the win but as a fan whose already seen this song and dance before I don’t think they are going to go very far when it matters. They were lucky they won this time but I’m not too confident in the way they approach the game. They need to learn to finish off their opponents better.

Carolina loss was tough last year. We could have gone to the second round if we didn't make some silly mistakes.

When we lost to TB and MTL was in the cup, that was our year. But, going up against TB in their prime years wasn't going to be an easy feat no matter how good your team is/was,

Back on topic, nice W by the team.

 

[Rehabguy]

Carolina loss was tough last year. We could have gone to the second round if we didn't make some silly mistakes.

It was a tough loss because as per usual they sat on a one goal lead.

Here’s one blog about that. Isles sitting one one goal leads

Some don’t see what I’m talking about but that 1st round loss sums up what I’m saying about their approach to the game. It’s too conservative. To risk adverse. Too much like chess. Watch most of the games they lose. This is what happens or they are losing by 1 goal and just waste time playing a conservative game waiting for the other team to make a mistake rather than going on a 3 or 4 man rush to improve their chances and taking calculated risks. It was mind numbing frustrating watching the Isles in game 7 of an eastern conference final sit back for over a full period waiting for the other team to make a mistake which never happened get shut out 1-0 by the Bolts. These things shouldn’t happen. They need to know when to take chances and go on the attack even when they are up a goal but certainly when they are down one.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Nah. Every game it’s always sitting onto a one goal lead. This game could have easily been lost. No one’s saying keep pushing the entire game but when you have a lead of only goal don’t sit on it try to build on it. I agree they did a better job but I want to see them really press when they take a lead. Exactly as the Avs did. As soon as they scored one goal they kept aggressively pressing until it was 3 quick goals and game over. They don’t give the other team a chance to regroup as the current Isles often do.

They don't sit on one-goal leads. They simply do not have the horses to score separation goals, ala the Avs. Sure, there are certain games they've went into a shell given the context, opponent etc. Generally speaking, I don't see a team that sits on leads, I see a team that isn't skilled enough to create larger ones.

 

[Rehabguy]

They don't sit on one-goal leads. They simply do not have the horses to score separation goals, ala the Avs. Sure, there are certain games they've went into a shell given the context, opponent etc. Generally speaking, I don't see a team that sits on leads, I see a team that isn't skilled enough to create larger ones.

I think there are many times when they have been outshooting their opponents, getting better scoring chances, even scoring goals when they inexplicably go into a shell as you say and it cost them very important games. They almost tell themselves. "OK we have a one goal lead, if we just sit back and play defense we should pull this off" and the opposing team pelts our goaltender (yes oftentimes from the perimeter) relentlessly. Against mediocre teams like Columbus this might work, against the better teams in the league (which I think the Isles are as well) they are only asking for trouble. Eventually someone is going to miss an assignment, the goaltender will be screened, or there will be an odd man rush and it's game over. They need to eliminate this bewildering part of their game and learn to play to win for me to have confidence in this team. This really is why so many fans and the media lament the game plan the Islanders use. It's almost not sport anymore. It's too calculated and risk adverse.

I don't think it's the roster. Again, I think it's how they approach the game. Too afraid to take chances and open themselves up to defensive risks at the right time even when they are in the lead. There's no excuse for this line-up to be one of the lowest scoring teams in the league year after year. That's all a mirage caused but the risk adverse game plan they utilize. If you can accept an Eastern Conference Final appearance as being this team's Stanley Cup final then accept the way they play the game. Sure, there are 32 teams in the league and only 1 can with the Cup each year but to watch this team lose year after year for the same reason and not do anything about it edges on insanity. They need to understand that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. The time to change their mindset is now, not during a playoff run.