GDT: R1G5 | New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes | April 25th | 7:00 PM | F/W 3-2

[CupHolders]

I'm sure some of you will disagree but after that successful challenge, it just felt like they were going to win this one. Timely goals, good sticks in lanes, decent bounces and great goaltending. Come out on fire Friday night, we aren't dead yet.

Did feel a bit more like a Trotz game. Where the advanced stats told one story…

But the other story was that the Isles managed the moments, didn’t force plays that weren’t there and capitalized on what was.

It says FloridaLacrosseNews across the top, so you can probably assume with a fair amount of confidence that the sport being played was lacrosse.

Yeah but WHERE was it played?!!!

 

[13th Floor]

See I think he also is pretty good at in game mgmt, our centers are a strength and he always has two out for defense zone draws even early in games. I also think the flipping Pageau and Horvat worked tonight.

I hope he keeps that switch for the next game. I have no data but I feel like Barzal responds well to line switches and double shifting. I've been dying for Lane to just throw Barzal out with Martin and Clutterbuck instead of watching him do absolutely nothing with Horvat game after game. Just double shift him a bit. I'll also take center swap that we saw in this game. But if that's what we go with next game and it's not working, it better be in a blender quickly, save for the Nelson line.

And we more hairy palm love. He wasn't as good tonight, but still picking up points and definitely kicks his game up for the playoffs. And so does Pulock. Everyone else seems to play as they always do (good or bad).

 

[IslesNorway]

They ground out a win but it as far from impressive. Need to step up at home.

 

[MJF]

Not all machines work very well, you know. Take my SO’s washing machine, for example. Thing sucks

So does my vacuum cleaner.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

So does my vacuum cleaner.

And, PK's mom.

 

[Sparksrus3]

he was 41%

That must just be last night only. Seems like he wins most .

 

[Lek]

I'm sure some of you will disagree but after that successful challenge, it just felt like they were going to win this one. Timely goals, good sticks in lanes, decent bounces and great goaltending. Come out on fire Friday night, we aren't dead yet.

Up 3-1 i still thought we were going to lose.

As for Dobson.....maybe it is just me...but looked like he had money on the Canes last night.

 

[leeroggy]

You say that like we know who those 2 teams are....Or what sport they were playing.

Perif, what sport do you think Florida Lacrosse News covers, if not lacrosse?

Did feel a bit more like a Trotz game. Where the advanced stats told one story…

But the other story was that the Isles managed the moments, didn’t force plays that weren’t there and capitalized on what was.


Yeah but WHERE was it played?!!!

Pine Crest is in Pompano Beach. They hosted; Benjamin is in Palm Beach Gardens. Had the pleasure of talking with Jack and Barbara Nicklaus last night before this came in. They have 9 grandchildren who play/played lacrosse, 8 at Benjamin. Youngest granddaughter was playing.

 

[BillD]

Just keep winning those face offs Bo……

He sucks at winning the big face off in the offensive zone.

 

[wingnutks]

He sucks at winning the big face off in the offensive zone.

This. I think we have lost every single face off to start a PP

 

[xECK29x]

I feel the Aho love

Honestly, for all his worts he adds elements we so badly need and his game has really come around once he got comfortable and more poised.

 

[saintunspecified]

Pelech absolutely must be injured. He cant skate, he cant stop, and he is unbelievably weak on his stick.

Yes. He had that pulled groin look on his face, and he couldn't get himself to go where his mind wanted.

And I'm getting tired of seeing Lee cheat because of his diminished mobility. The Hurricanes are an awful matchup for him, but flying the zone early is what you absolutely cannot do against the Canes. Burns can get by him at will.

The transition from C to W for Barzal is going to take work. It's a long term process, and it's clear that Barzal, particularly in the playoffs, can't force himself away from playing down low, and assisting zone exits from the middle. That's understandable. I'm not saying Barzal-Horvat won't ever work, but it's going to take practice. For now, I like the Barzal-Pageau tandem. Pageau followed Barzal's lead.

Nice, and somewhat lucky finish for Barzal o that 2 on 1. Barzal was given WAY too much room/too little respect for his shot. Ranta was cheating to the far side (where the puck ended up going in). I think a more confident Barzal goes backhand roof.

Finnish Aho is one tough sob.

Continue to like Engvall, and Swedish Aho, especially on D-zone exits.

 

[beach]

I have to say that going to Canes games in Raleigh is complete torture. The crowd is comprised of extremely annoying, pick-up truck driving, Bud Light destroying bearded bumpkins with no knowledge whatsoever of hockey rules.

Every time the Isles touch a Cane it's as if murder was committed. The play where Mayfield pinned the puck along the boards for 30 seconds was a definitive missed delay of game according to them.

The damned horn and their ritual of clapping back Let's Go Canes in the same cadence that the horn was blown drives me crazy.

The arena announcer and his "Carolina Hurricanes.............GOAL" schtick is completely vexatious. When the opponent scores, he mumbles the goal scorer announcement so low you can't make out what he is saying.

They used to give out John Deere tractors as between period prizes, but that has thankfully stopped.

And the pig mascot? Don't get me started.

 

[BillD]

THREAD THE NEEDLE, BABY.

Engvall was terrific tonight.

I'm ready for this: Engvall can play all forward positions.
I'm ready to try him at C1 with Barzal on LW and Horvat on RW. Horvat has been a pile of steaming crap. Maybe at wing he can get his ass in front of the net and score some of those tips and rebounds he scored so much of in Vancouver.

 

[JBHockey]

We have an Aho. Why can’t our PP create chances like theirs?

I'm equally worried about the PK, seems like they are letting them do whatever they want.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Turned this on to watch the Canes immediately score the offsides PP goal, and I immediately turned it off. Guess I’m a mush and can’t go Friday.

You're juju is FEEEEEEEBBBLLEEEEEEEEE

 

[seafoam]

I'm ready for this: Engvall can play all forward positions.
I'm ready to try him at C1 with Barzal on LW and Horvat on RW. Horvat has been a pile of steaming crap. Maybe at wing he can get his ass in front of the net and score some of those tips and rebounds he scored so much of in Vancouver.

I’m down with trying Engvall with Barzal, he can keep up with Mat but can also dig pucks out of the corner for him.

As for Bowie, I’d put him with Nelson and Palmieri. Palms’ confidence with carrying the puck is at an all-time high and Nelson is the best sniper on the team which means pucks on net (i.e. opportunities for tips and rebounds).

Horvat-Nelson-Palmieri
Lee-Barzal-Engvall
Parise-Pageau-Bailey/Fasching/Holmstrom
4th

 

[periferal]

Perif, what sport do you think Florida Lacrosse News covers, if not lacrosse?

It's a very good question. I was so thrown the way that "Pine Crest-Benjamin" was so casually thrown out there as if anyone should know who those teams/schools are, that I overlooked everything else.

 

[The Real JT]

I'm equally worried about the PK, seems like they are letting them do whatever they want.

Part of the problem is that one of Clutter’s best skills was on the PK and he’s lost a lot off his fastball.

To a much lesser extent so has Cizikas and while his contract is ok today he has 4 more years left. Yes, the extended length of the deal allowed a lower AAV but eventually those type of deals are a drag on the team’s flexibility in the future.

Unless Mayfield surprisingly takes no more than a 4 year deal at somewhat of a hometown discount I’m afraid we’ll be having the same conversation about him before long.

 

[Lame Lambert]

You're juju is FEEEEEEEBBBLLEEEEEEEEE

Did you see Lane after game 4? He was f***ing smiling and laughing.

 

[The Real JT]

Did you see Lane after game 4? He was f***ing smiling and laughing.

I need to see visual proof of that. That’s like Lou leaking info on a trade, injury or pending contract.

 

[Lame Lambert]

I need to see visual proof of that. That’s like Lou leaking info on a trade, injury or pending contract.

It’s a joke about the Mets he wasn’t actually smiling and laughing.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Solid road win. Agree that it felt like a "Trotz win."

Our PP is awful and we have made theirs look world-class. Crazy.

 

[Osakahaus]

I have to say that going to Canes games in Raleigh is complete torture. The crowd is comprised of extremely annoying, pick-up truck driving, Bud Light destroying bearded bumpkins with no knowledge whatsoever of hockey rules.

Every time the Isles touch a Cane it's as if murder was committed. The play where Mayfield pinned the puck along the boards for 30 seconds was a definitive missed delay of game according to them.

The damned horn and their ritual of clapping back Let's Go Canes in the same cadence that the horn was blown drives me crazy.

The arena announcer and his "Carolina Hurricanes.............GOAL" schtick is completely vexatious. When the opponent scores, he mumbles the goal scorer announcement so low you can't make out what he is saying.

They used to give out John Deere tractors as between period prizes, but that has thankfully stopped.

And the pig mascot? Don't get me started.

I want to cook that pig up and have a nice set of pork chops.

 

[crashthenet]

Up 3-1 i still thought we were going to lose.

As for Dobson.....maybe it is just me...but looked like he had money on the Canes last night.

Dobson regression continues. While his D zone starts are somewhat limited, he is a disaster in transition from offense to defense. Not sure at what point you stop working on your skating but this isn't that. Aho, while still a liability, has outplayed him. Not by much.

Engvall has been pretty solid in all three zones. The goal was obvious. Cutting off the rim and forcing Burns up the wall into the turnover? maybe not so much. Exits and entries when he is on the ice are very good.

Lambert finally wakes up and splits Barzal and Horvat. And then has them together at the right time.

One terrible non-call in OT from being up 3-2? Perhaps. I don't know that folks are still being dismissive of how bad the officiating is. The Mayfield non-call, the Parise call and last night- The interference call was a joke. Playoffs, right? The goal review - wow- so offsides. How was that play allowed to continue? The bench challenged before the goalsong was finished. Brutal. For as disappointing as we have been at times, this should not be happening in the playoffs.

Part of the problem is that one of Clutter’s best skills was on the PK and he’s lost a lot off his fastball.

To a much lesser extent so has Cizikas and while his contract is ok today he has 4 more years left. Yes, the extended length of the deal allowed a lower AAV but eventually those type of deals are a drag on the team’s flexibility in the future.

Unless Mayfield surprisingly takes no more than a 4 year deal at somewhat of a hometown discount I’m afraid we’ll be having the same conversation about him before long.

Zeke may be my favorite player on this team. I almost look at him as this generations Nystrom. I hope he stays forever.

Not sure how much of it is Houda but Mayfield looks bad out there. He and Dobson with two egregious errors on those goals last night.