The Islanders aren't boring

[Icarium]

I'm not alone in this. Have you listened to any of the talking head sports shows this morning? It was universally acknowledged that this was the worst playoff game any of them had seen in over a decade.

Good to know that pundits are just as bad about stupid knee-jerk hyperboles as the average fan.

 

[KevFu]

Nah, I take a much simpler approach to the issue.

I turned off the TV prior to the 2OT period because I could no longer watch it.

I'm not alone in this. Have you listened to any of the talking head sports shows this morning? It was universally acknowledged that this was the worst playoff game any of them had seen in over a decade.

Yes, your team won, and that's great for you guys, I'm not disagreeing with you at all.

All I'm saying is that as a fan of the game, whose team is out, I look forward to good hockey games. Last night was the first time in my 45 years of watching playoff hockey that I turned off the TV before the game ended.

1. "I didn't watch all of it" really doesn't qualify you to offer an informed opinion.
2. It bored you so much, you tuned in to hear people talk about it and are here now discussing it the next day?

Not seeing a lot of difference between The "Islanders are boring" and "Trolling is fun!"

 

[HugginThePost]

1. "I didn't watch all of it" really doesn't qualify you to offer an informed opinion.
2. It bored you so much, you tuned in to hear people talk about it and are here now discussing it the next day?

Not seeing a lot of difference between The "Islanders are boring" and "Trolling is fun!"

Oh, I'm sorry, did the game get way better to watch in the second overtime period? Sorry I missed it!!

Trolling? How so?? The thread is about the Islanders not being boring, so a counter to that is not acceptable? Well....that's a first for this place!!

Yeah, I turned into people talking about it. I got up in the morning and watched the updates. Then I drove to work with the NHL station on XM, they were talking about it too. You know, I am doing things the average hockey fan does. Is that strange to you?

 

[Riseonfire]

Riiiiigggghhhhhtttttt........watching a team get off 5 shots a period for 5 periods is the height of "smart" hockey!!

You picked a 1 game sample size to draw that conclusion. "Smart".

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

I'm talking about the massive problem the NHL has drawing in new fans....reading responses like this no wonder they're failing.

I am a fan of my hockey team. The problem with drawing new fans is meaningless to me. If it bores you, do not watch. Go sit by the pool.

 

[Matty Sundin]

I think every team/coach has a right to play whatever style they want but I usually just end up browsing my phone or changing to an nba game when the islanders play.

 

[KevFu]

Oh, I'm sorry, did the game get way better to watch in the second overtime period? Sorry I missed it!!

Trolling? How so?? The thread is about the Islanders not being boring, so a counter to that is not acceptable? Well....that's a first for this place!!

Yeah, I turned into people talking about it. I got up in the morning and watched the updates. Then I drove to work with the NHL station on XM, they were talking about it too. You know, I am doing things the average hockey fan does. Is that strange to you?

Yeah, it's incredibly strange and illogical.

You find something boring and turn off the TV? Totally normal. Golf puts me to sleep. Reality Shows are pointless. But that doesn't make me wake up the next day and immerse myself in discussion of things I find boring and pointless. You actively sought out this thread to talk about something that's boring to you. That makes no sense.

But hey, you like hockey and this is what hockey happened last night. But there's the disconnect: Objectively define boring: Not a lot of chances, not a lot of action?

Two periods of overtime hockey and there was a scoring chance an average of every 1:23 and a high danger chance an average of every 6:40... THAT is your line of what boring hockey is?

OH, Sorry. Those were the wrong stats. That was OT1 and OT2 of Tampa vs Columbus 5 OT game! Last night's game actually had a scoring chance every 1:05 and a high danger every 3:15. So literally TWICE the dangerous action chances of the first two extra periods of TB/CBJ (and one more goal). But you kept the game with less action on and turned the one with more action off because it was boring.

That's why this topic is stupid. I say "golf is boring" and golf fans would be like "Disagree" but (pause for research) if I say "Golfer Maverick McNealy is exciting and golfer J.T. Poston is boring" when those two guys were separated by like a point or a stroke, or however the hell they do the 2019 standings, then I'm going to sound like a crazy person.

 

[HugginThePost]

You picked a 1 game sample size to draw that conclusion. "Smart".

But that's the game I was talking about..........

Question....throw up a poll on whether or not the Islander's play a more structured, defensive-minded, 1-2-2 style game, or what people call "boring", what do you the response is, outside of Islander fans?

I've never once said it was "bad" or it doesn't "win" games, I just said it wasn't entertaining. Which should come as no shock to someone who's not a fan of the team.

If the Islanders were my team, or if they played like them, of course I'd be happy. THat's a given.

I see no reason to get so pissy about me not being entertained during last night's game.

Lots of people weren't.......and you were.

End of stroy.

 

[notDatsyuk]

There is a stark contrast between NFL defense which is heavily based on sacks/interceptions/big hits, and NHL defense which is primarily based on trapping, boxing out, clogging up lanes, and blocking shots.

That isn't what fans like.

155 hits and 78 turnovers last night.

 

[HugginThePost]

Yeah, it's incredibly strange and illogical.

You find something boring and turn off the TV? Totally normal. Golf puts me to sleep. Reality Shows are pointless. But that doesn't make me wake up the next day and immerse myself in discussion of things I find boring and pointless. You actively sought out this thread to talk about something that's boring to you. That makes no sense.

But hey, you like hockey and this is what hockey happened last night. But there's the disconnect: Objectively define boring: Not a lot of chances, not a lot of action?

Two periods of overtime hockey and there was a scoring chance an average of every 1:23 and a high danger chance an average of every 6:40... THAT is your line of what boring hockey is?

OH, Sorry. Those were the wrong stats. That was OT1 and OT2 of Tampa vs Columbus 5 OT game! Last night's game actually had a scoring chance every 1:05 and a high danger every 3:15. So literally TWICE the dangerous action chances of the first two extra periods of TB/CBJ (and one more goal). But you kept the game with less action on and turned the one with more action off because it was boring.

That's why this topic is stupid. I say "golf is boring" and golf fans would be like "Disagree" but (pause for research) if I say "Golfer Maverick McNealy is exciting and golfer J.T. Poston is boring" when those two guys were separated by like a point or a stroke, or however the hell they do the 2019 standings, then I'm going to sound like a crazy person.

Come on, where are these stats coming from??

A scoring chance every 1:05? There were 8 shots in total for the 1st OTP.

How in the hell is that even possible? That would mean there were about 20 shots in the period and all of them had the chance to go in? There were 8 shots. Even your High Danger numbers don't flesh out. Was every shot on net a High Danger one?

Or are we saying "they gained entry to the offensive zone, so they could have scored"??

I'm not an advanced stats guy, but if you're trying to tell me there were 18 scoring chances in the 1st OT period, with a total of 8 shots on net, by both teams, I'd say that's a pretty flawed metric.

 

[JT Kreider]

Sometimes hockey isnt exactly the most entertaining sport. Especially the deeper we get into the playoffs with how tight and micro managed the games become. That is always why the first round is the most enjoyable and with the parity across the league is becoming cant miss TV.

We were spoiled by once in a generation series like the 94 ECF or the 2011 SCF and it will be very rare for any series to ever live up to those type of standards.

The teams are also the best they have ever been defensively, goaltending is at the highest level it's ever been, the players are the smartest/best coached they've ever been. Of course the two biggest goals the Islanders have scored this series were off horrible mistakes by a Lightning defenseman.

Every postseason we get the same posts "is it just me or is this is so much more boring compared to last year".

 

[benedictTavares]

You keep bringing that up???? Most goals are because of a defensive lapse. Do you not watch hockey?

Not boxing player out from in front of the crease.
D pinching in get burnt.
Forwards not covering the point.

It's like the dumbest hot take in the history of hot takes.

 

[notDatsyuk]

But that's the game I was talking about..........

Question....throw up a poll on whether or not the Islander's play a more structured, defensive-minded, 1-2-2 style game, or what people call "boring", what do you the response is, outside of Islander fans?

I've never once said it was "bad" or it doesn't "win" games, I just said it wasn't entertaining. Which should come as no shock to someone who's not a fan of the team.

If the Islanders were my team, or if they played like them, of course I'd be happy. THat's a given.

I see no reason to get so pissy about me not being entertained during last night's game.

Lots of people weren't.......and you were.

End of stroy.

I think that's the crux.

If you're not engaged because your team isn't playing, you're much more likely to be bored, which is not the same as the game being boring.

If your team is playing, but not getting the chances they usually do, you are likely to be frustrated with how the other team is playing, which is not the same as them being boring.

And if you wish your team was as successful with their wide-open style, then 'boring' is an easy, if inaccurate, way to dismiss the success you long for.

 

[KevFu]

Come on, where are these stats coming from??

A scoring chance every 1:05? There were 8 shots in total for the 1st OTP.

How in the hell is that even possible? That would mean there were about 20 shots in the period and all of them had the chance to go in? There were 8 shots. Even your High Danger numbers don't flesh out. Was every shot on net a High Danger one?

Those stats are coming from here:
New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning, 2020-09-15

"8 shots total" are shots on goal. If a dude on the doorstep with an open net has a D-man deflects it over the bar.... that's a high danger chance, but no shot.

If you're using "shots on goal" as your metric of what's exciting, I really don't know what to tell you.
Pageau had a 2-on-1 and the pass was broken up, no shot. Komarov flung a puck weakly from 50 feet away to the pad of Vasilevskiy. One of those plays was exciting and one of those plays was boring. The boring one was the shot on goal.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Did Leo's between-the-legs backhander happen in OT?

I would've lost my **** if that shot was a game winner.

 

[dm1371]

I wish my team was as boring as an ECF caliber team. Strong jealousy in this thread

 

[HugginThePost]

Those stats are coming from here:
New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning, 2020-09-15

"8 shots total" are shots on goal. If a dude on the doorstep with an open net has a D-man deflects it over the bar.... that's a high danger chance, but no shot.

If you're using "shots on goal" as your metric of what's exciting, I really don't know what to tell you.
Pageau had a 2-on-1 and the pass was broken up, no shot. Komarov flung a puck weakly from 50 feet away to the pad of Vasilevskiy. One of those plays was exciting and one of those plays was boring. The boring one was the shot on goal.

To each their own, brother.

If you want me to believe there were 20 scoring chances int he 1st OT that I watched, well, as I said, to each their own.

It's your team, they won, of course, you're going to think it's exciting.

For the non-Islander fan, it was a boring game. Period.

You can say SOG means nothing, but it does. The Isles averaged less than 5 shots a period. 5!!

Pull up all the stats you want, that's ugly.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I wish my team was as boring as an ECF caliber team. Strong jealousy in this thread

Right?

If "boring hockey" got my team to the semifinals every year I'd be pretty ****ing happy.

 

[DueDiligence]

I just hope the Lightning put them away next game.

 

[carparkno1]

Interesting that KevFu and his stats have been summarily ignored.

I'd also say this. The idea you'd get to OT of a game and then switch off out of boredom is both ridiculous and means you're a very casual fan in my book. Who the hell watches for that long and then goes "well we're into OT for a potential eliminator and to decide the Stanley Cup Finalists... But the Isles are dull and I've just realised that so I'll switch off now".

Total nonsense.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

These whole playoffs have.

Since 2012, which I remember being the most boring.

 

[Chardo]

When, in the play-in round?

During July "training camp".

 

[Chardo]

Good to know that pundits are just as bad about stupid knee-jerk hyperboles as the average fan.

Hyperbole is the best thing ever.

 

[Isles Junkie]

I totally get the boring perspective from non-fans of the team. Other than Barzal, there is not much flash and is very systematic and structured. I have no issues with people feeling that way.

From my perspective, the team has won games this playoffs in different manners: at times speed, goaltending, physicality, structure, sometimes all the above. We Isles fans have not seen that in almost 40 years.

Trotz is a tactician by nature and Tampa has far greater skill than the Isles. So for this series the tactic in particular has been safe plays, a lot of chipping out and counter attack when the rare opportunity arises.

For those of you who cannot fathom how the fanbase can find this at all exciting or even watchable hockey (a lot of comments about 24 shots in 5+ periods), I give you this perspective. There was a classic Islanders game where they played a far superior team and were out shot 39-16 but won the game. 16 shots for an entire game they spent chipping and defending and grinding while counter attacking opportunistically and relying on good goaltending. They had no superstar at the time and so needed to play a strong team game. Of the 16 shots they somehow managed to eke out 4 relatively pedestrian goals while giving up 3. ——- Of course this was not an Islanders game but the 1980 US-Soviet game. Probably viewed by most as a Top 5 sporting event of all time. So you see , the game looks and feels a lot different when you are emotionally invested in a team.

Boring moment in US sports history. Didn't entertain me enough. Wasn't enough of a show. Not enough shots. Not enough 2 on 1's. 2/10 would not watch the replay on ESPN Classics

 

[matsqq]

I'm not one for breaking down stats and numbers to the thousandth to prove a point that was lost sixteen pages ago, but I wanted to point out my experience of watching the Isles of late vs the run and gun comedy of the recent Capuano / Weight era.

The islanders are in the ECF by right. They beat Florida comfortably, they beat Washington comfortably, and whilst there was a stumble, they closed out Philly with one of the most dominant game 7 displays I've seen in a long time.

They are ONE game behind Tampa, and those are the facts.

Across the four remaining teams, including the play in / seed round robin games, the Isles have the HIGHEST goals scored @3.09 per game and note they have had three shutout, and 13/21 games have seen the opposition score two goals or less.

Now, on these boards, I have seen a tremendous amount of pushback that they are boring to watch. Some of it I take as just bitter tears from a few fanbases and one or two fans in particular who have an unhealthy obsession with trying to undermine the franchise as a whole, and a few fans from teams who went out to the Isles complaining about the style they play. I've also seen some more balanced posters state that it's interesting to watch teams fail to work out how to beat them. I love this tactical side of hockey.

There's a few things here.

1) Find a way to beat them. It's on you to unlock the door, not for the Isles to open it.

2) Stop them scoring. Considering the Isles PP is a godawful thing, it's interesting they have the highest goals count overall which means from open play they excel.

3) Maybe it's a young person thing, but hockey, like soccer, doesn't have to be a twelve goal epic every game. There's a fine art to having a controlled game plan that is executed relentlessly.

4) The Isles had a 15 game win streak (17 game point streak including OTL) earlier this season which was tremendous to watch. That's not boring.

Simply put, it isn't dull watching the Isles. The numbers don't support it, the wins don't support it either. They don't have elite goalscorer talent and yet they do score goals, right up and down the lines.

The "eye test" is always important here and I'd put my savings on half the posters here just thinking it's Trotz hockey so it must be dull. Try watching it, try watching a team forecheck another team into oblivion, because it's a key part of hockey. Not everything is NHL 20 dekes and showboating, and those aren't the things that win a Stanley Cup.

A "dull" team that wins a cup is a cup winning team all the same, and that could be Dallas or the Isles this year or maybe next. 5on5 hockey is the bread and butter of the game, and the islanders are extremely good at it over the least two seasons. That isn't boring in any comparative measure, it's exciting, tough matchups where teams have to outwork and outthink a group of guys who play as one unit.

And no, it isn't dead puck hockey, or trap hockey. Anyone who says that just looked it up on Wikipedia.

I really think they deserve more credit for their style, it's nowhere near as dull as people say it is.

That's not even a problem ...

Each team must play to maximize their chances and that IS the most entertaining thing to watch ....

"All-stars"-matches and "american wrestling" where they play to "entertain" are the most UN-entertaining things to watch ...

That said, it's up to each and everyone to judge what they find entertaining , and if people find it entertaining to watch ameican wrestling or think that Islanders play boring thats OK for me ...

What I love about sports is that almost anything can happen, one game the result seems fair and obvious and the next game one team creates so much more opportunities than the other team but still lose and the outcome seems totally crazy ...

But that's exactly what is so fun ... You never know what's gonna happen next