I think Islanders are the dark horse of the East this season.

[Rehabguy]

Looks like a perfect time to once again ask Ranger fans around the world:

HOW ABOUT DEM ISLANDERS?

 

[SI90]

Looks like a perfect time to once again ask Ranger fans around the world:

HOW ABOUT DEM ISLANDERS?

I still don’t want to pump my chest lol. Let’s just wait a little longer. That being said, a friend of mine said he saw a fisherman on the horizon with a torch in his hand and he was headed towards his village

 

[Rehabguy]

I still don’t want to pump my chest lol. Let’s just wait a little longer. That being said, a friend of mine said he saw a fisherman on the horizon with a torch in his hand and he was headed towards his village

Oh but it’s so gratifying. Lottery team…LMFAO

3rd in the East goals for and 5th in the East goals against. Most goals scored by any team in the third period. Come back kids. Cutting through all the so-called much improved favorites like a hot knife through butter. Bwah ha ha ha haaaaa! What I say? What I say? Bueller? Bueller? What’s with all them crickets? Hello?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

We're so getting a Devils Isles playoff series, I'm not ready for it.

 

[Rehabguy]

I think the OP's opinion on the Islanders is a minority opinion. A miniscule minority. The Islanders have a good shot at being a lottery team this year. Based on the amount of changes that Lou has made to the roster this summer I would say that's the plan.

What a difference a couple of months make.

 

[SI90]

We're so getting a Devils Isles playoff series, I'm not ready for it.

As an isles fan I’m not either. Those young devils skated circles around us when we played them lol

 

[Rehabguy]

As an isles fan I’m not either. Those young devils skated circles around us when we played them lol

Yeah, the Isles shouldn't try to stand toe to toe skating wise with the Devils- no team should. Just bore em to death with the trap and once you have em corralled just keep hitting them into submission.

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

Barzal is one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. People probably wouldn't shut up about him if he played with good players; he would put up insane totals. He stirs the drink with that offense and it's fun to watch.

 

[Rehabguy]

They're baaaack! And yesterday's win over the Devils was exactly why the Islanders are the Darkhorse of the East. No one expects them to be tops in the Conference by years end but come playoff time no one is going to want to face them.

 

[ccman68]

mediocre team carried by elite goaltending. not sure what the big deal is

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Some pundits are writing off Islanders due to their lack of activity this off season but I think on paper they are much more competitive than people give them credit.

Props dude, they have been solid to date.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

They're baaaack! And yesterday's win over the Devils was exactly why the Islanders are the Darkhorse of the East. No one expects them to be tops in the Conference by years end but come playoff time no one is going to want to face them.

I'd prefer to be a lock for the playoffs with no one scared of facing them but you take what you can get.

 

[boredmale]

They're baaaack!

 

[Taswell]

Ah yes, the resuscitation of this thread right before a game against Carolina. Smart.

 

[Rehabguy]

Yeah, the Isles shouldn't try to stand toe to toe skating wise with the Devils- no team should. Just bore em to death with the trap and once you have em corralled just keep hitting them into submission.

Once again the prophesy has been fulfilled. Poor Wood, corralled and pulverized.

Ah yes, the resuscitation of this thread right before a game against Carolina. Smart.

Meh. This thread keeps on giving.

 

[Xirik]

OMG the islanders are are like a roman legion that is all filled with strong alpha men, They are the definition of manliness! Good thing every other team is small figure skaters that will break like toothpicks in the playoffs.

If there was a picture of a spartan warrior in an encyclopedia it would be of the Islanders.

 

[Rehabguy]

I don't hate the Islanders, I pity them.

Back in August you pitied the Islanders. LOL

 

[PullHard]

I am completely on board with everything said in the OP and I even know that what Whit said is true, but citing Chiclets as any sort of argument or proof isn't going to win you any support

I say this as someone who listens to every episode and is a fan of the show

 

[Rehabguy]

OMG the islanders are are like a roman legion that is all filled with strong alpha men, They are the definition of manliness! Good thing every other team is small figure skaters that will break like toothpicks in the playoffs.

If there was a picture of a spartan warrior in an encyclopedia it would be of the Islanders.

No I just said that the Devils are like small figure skaters what will break like toothpicks in the playoffs. ( I love the analogy btw.)

 

[miscs75]

mediocre team carried by elite goaltending. not sure what the big deal is

That actually sounds a lot like a certain team within the division that somehow still gets pushed like they’re not mediocre after they fell from grace real hard this year.

 

[SI90]

Unsustainable

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

No I just said that the Devils are like small figure skaters what will break like toothpicks in the playoffs. ( I love the analogy btw.)

To be clear, you would not like Jack Hughes or Jesper Bratt on your hockey team?

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

If the Isles had a New Jersey-like start, I'd understand the I told you so-ing. They're off to a good start, but that translates to just 1 point from 9th in P% with a GIH. A bad week and they're sitting outside of the playoffs.

 

[MapleLeafs94]

Legit and serious question for Islanders fans. What do you think of your new coach in charge? I don't tune in much for NYI games, probably caught 3-4 this year so far. Just curious if it's not much difference from Trotz system or what. Seems you're following the same blueprint but I could be wrong. Goaltending is phenomenal and the Dcore is one of the best in the league. Just missing some game breaker forwards and you'd be set for awhile.

Anyways, I am curious how your team is structured compared to last year with the coaching change, and would appreciate an expert's analysis over a couple game nothing opinion like mine.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

Legit and serious question for Islanders fans. What do you think of your new coach in charge? I don't tune in much for NYI games, probably caught 3-4 this year so far. Just curious if it's not much difference from Trotz system or what. Seems you're following the same blueprint but I could be wrong. Goaltending is phenomenal and the Dcore is one of the best in the league. Just missing some game breaker forwards and you'd be set for awhile.

Anyways, I am curious how your team is structured compared to last year with the coaching change, and would appreciate an expert's analysis over a couple game nothing opinion like mine.

He's been "fine". Sticks out to block passing lanes is still a huge thing but the defense pinches more, plays more man to man and gives up more odd man rushes because of it. Not sure if the personnel is right for this system but Pulock, Pelech, Dobson and Mayfield seem to be adjusting well, though the first 10-15 games Pelech in particular looked awful. Romanov is having some adjustment pains but Aho has become a legitimate d-man, though small and in the 6th spot. Dobson seems to be more active but he's having problems defensively.

Offensively it's the same team, led by Barzal and Nelson with the occasional bursts of goal-scoring from Lee and Wahlstrom. Pageau's line being effective is huge for the team. Fourth line has been much better than they were last year but they're always an injury away from being out of sorts.

I hate the small box PK but that was a Trotz thing. Started off awesomely but had a brutal stretch the last 10 games or so. PP seems a little more effective but it was "coming around" the second half of last season.

Guess I would grade him a B or B-.

Thankfully Sorokin and Varlamov have held the fort during the first 30 games but they're going to need to clean up defensively if they're going to make the playoffs.

A goal-scoring wing would be great, though we've been saying this since the 2018 offseason...