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IslesInfo Comments: With the aspect of tying the series up 2-2 as compared to falling down 3-1 to the Ottawa Senators staring the New York Islanders in the face, you'd think they would come out jumping. They lost Game 3 on home ice, and needed to come away with a win or face elimination Thursday night in Ottawa. So when Mike Fisher of the Senators broke down the right side just 28 seconds into the game on an odd man rush and fired a clear bullet right by Isles goaltender Garth Snow, disappointment quickly set in among the fans who had little time to enjoy anything. Fisher scored his first of the series with assists to Bryan Smolinski and Marian Hossa to put the Senators up 1-0. The deficit got even larger when 4 minutes later Vaclav Varada pulled into the Islanders zone and sent a shot in on net as the Senators attacked. The puck bounced off Snow and into the right corner where Ottawa defenseman Anton Volchenkov skated in deep. As Volchenkov turned he fired the puck back at Snow and the puck ricocheted through his pads as Snow was down on his knees. The puck was in the net and the Senators led 2-0 at 4:12 of the first. Martin Havlat was also credited with an assist. The Islanders then took three straight penalties. Eric Cairns was called for highsticking on a marginal call. Later Jason Wiemer was assessed an interference penalty on the goaltender which was a very bad call. The third was a bad penalty on Michael Peca's part as he hit a Senator from behind into the boards in the offensive zone. The Islanders penalty killing unit was up to the task again as they have been pretty much throughout the series. But the surprising aspect of the first period was how flat and once again, uninspired the Islanders were once again. And the way this series has gone, a two goal lead is basically the game. But the Islanders had a chance to jump back into it. Ottawa defenseman Brian Pothier, playing in place of flu bug ridden Karel Rachunek, was called for interference at 18:31. Magnus Arvedson would put the Islanders up on a 5 on 3 as he was sent off for holding at 19:49. The Islanders could not get any offense going on the first half of the power play with the 5 on 3 to extend into the second. The Senators out shot the Islanders 15-6 in the period. - The Islanders failed to score on the final 29 seconds of the 5 on 3 as the second period began. Arvedson's penalty went by without the Isles getting much offense as well. Another marginal roughing call to Dave Scatchard ended the power play prematurely. But the sides would eventually end up 4 on 4 when Zdeno Chara was assessed a hooking penalty. That probably set up the single best shift of the game by Peca as he forechecked deep in the Senators zone. After Lalime and the Senators defense blocked a shot in front, Peca try to send it back in on net before getting pulled down. Volchenkov tried to clear the puck out of the zone but it was a weak attempt and went right back to Adrian Aucoin at the point. With a clear lane and Lalime screened by Volchenkov, Aucoin fired a low shot right to the back of the net to cut the Senators lead in half to 2-1 at 2:48 of the second. The Isles now had some renewed life after Aucoin notched his first of the series, unassisted. It was also the first goal by an Islander defenseman in the series. Aucoin would later wind up in the penalty box at 6:43 after receiving another highsticking call. The Isles followed up the goal with a great high tempo few shift. But on the Ottawa power play the Senators would regain their two goal lead. On a play similar to a goal he scored in Game 2, Hossa in the right circle tried to pass the puck across the slot to Havlat. Out of midair Oleg Kvasha got his stick blade on the puck and knocked it into the Islanders net for a 3-1 Senator lead. Radek Bonk and Daniel Alfredsson were credited with assists. The Senators went on to control possession of the puck and the Islanders at one point in the second period went 11 plus minutes without getting a shot on goal. The Islanders could have fallen down 4-1 if it wasn't for Snow who made a spectacular toe in the air save on Havlat. Janne Niinimaa capped off another disappointing period as he took yet another penalty, his 5th in the last two games, for roughing at 18:37. The Islanders out shot the Senators 10-8 in the period but trailed overall 23-16. - Coming into this game and third period, neither team has scored a goal in the third period. That wasn't about to change much to the Islanders and their fans dismay. The Senators just went into defense mode and bottled up the Islanders every time they carried the puck into the neutral zone. But with so much on the line, it just seemed as though the desperation and effort wasn't there on the part of the Islanders. Varada was sent to the box for roughing at 15:50 of the third, yet the Islanders generated nothing on the power play once again. With about 2:30 remaining in the game, the Islanders decided to pull Snow for an extra attacker. Alfredsson took a crosschecking penalty at 18:52 and the Islanders played 6 on 4 for the final minute of the game. With 7.2 seconds left on the clock Scatchard seemed to knock out of the air a shot from the point and redirected into the net what would have been a meaningless tally. But the goal was called off and after going to video replay it was determined that Scatchard's stick was just over the crossbar height. The Ottawa Senators win Game 4 by the score of 3-1 and now lead the series 3-1 as the series now shifts back to Ottawa for Game 5 Thursday night. The Islanders are now on the brink of elimination.
More stats: The Islanders series record when trailing in a series 2-1 is 6-7 all-time. Two of those wins came in a best of 5 game series....The Islanders series record when trailing in a series 3-1 is 2-8 all-time. They came back to win in 1975 in the quarterfinals against Pittsburgh, actually falling down 3-0 in the series. The Isles battled back and won Game 7 by a 1-0 score in Pittsburgh. The Islanders also did it in 1987 down 3-1 to Washington before winning a Game 7 by a 3-2 score in Landover, Md....The Islanders are now winless in their last 8 games at Nassau Coliseum going 0-7-1-0. They have not won at home since March 1st when they defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in OT....The Islanders are 14-28-4 when allowing the first goal this season....Mike Fisher's goal 28 seconds into the game was the fastest from the start of a playoff game in Ottawa history. Next Up: Game 5 is scheduled for tonight, Thursday night back at the Corel Centre. The reason why this game is not being played Friday night is because the Corel Centre booked a Bruce Springstein concert there for that night. The Islanders really have their backs against the wall now and need to win to stay alive in the series. They have to win 3 straight, but that obviously won't be the focus as they just need to win one game, one shift at a time. They won't have any time to rest as Game 5 will be the third in four nights. If the Isles should win, Game 6 will be Sunday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum. Fight Card: No fights. There was only really one meeting last night between Eric Cairns and Chris Neil. Besides that the Islanders didn't really utilize their toughness, which should be their strength. At the same time it seems like the officials are calling every single hit. Commentary:
I thought I was disappointed after the OT loss. This is real
disappointment. To come out with that kind of effort in a must win
situation, was just unacceptable. I am really down on some of the players
on this team. The goal given up by Garth Snow 28 seconds into the game
just killed the entire night. And the second goal just four minutes later
basically was the game for the Islanders. They should have been more
desperate. The attitude of this team really worries me. All the rumor and
talk of factions on the team and what not, that all seemed to be forgotten
after Game 1. But the disappearance of Michael Peca, whether it be injury
or not, Mark Parrish, Jason Blake, Jason Wiemer, Oleg Kvasha, Arron Asham
and just about every other offensive player on the team is costing the
Isles big time. After the Isles made it 2-1 they had some really up tempo
shifts. It was the loudest the Coliseum got all night. But they were
unable to keep it going and eventually were dead again once the Senators
banked their 3rd goal of the game in off Kvasha. On defense, we got
Niinimaa at the trade deadline and everyone is referring to them as the
'Big 4". Besides racking up a ton of ice time, these guys have not
been a difference in this series. They scored their first goal tonight.
They never shoot the puck. I heard Kenny Jonsson say today in an interview
before the game that he prefers to pass the puck first. It really showed
in the last couple minutes of the game. He didn't want to have ANYTHING to
do with shooting the puck. Just dish it off to his partner. Disappointing.
You never know what can happen though. We did it in 87. It can happen
again. Ottawa isn't flawless. We've just made them look good if you ask
me. Wouldn't it be great if Lavvy can get Al Arbour to call these guys up
in the dressing room and tell them what he told his players in 75. Win one
shift at a time. And believe in themselves and their teammates. I just
haven't seen that. I'm just praying for a win Thursday night and
especially some heart. We may not be the better team, but show some heart
in defeat if we do go down. As an Islander fan I will never give up on
them. I believe the Islanders can win it tonight. Let's go
Islanders!
Report Card: Alexei Yashin: Was a -1 and had only ONE shot on goal all night. It came at some point in the third period. Alexei has played great for the Islanders ever since March. But last night he was nonexistent and reverted back to the Yashin of the first three quarters of the season. While he's had a respectable playoff with 3 points in 4 games, 2 goals and an assist, and while he has been better than any other Islander forward, the Isles needed him to have another big game last night. He did nothing. Randy Robitaille: Also -1 with 1 shot. Robitaille was rewarded last night for his strong performance in Game 3 and was given more ice time on the line with Yashin than just his regular power play time. In the end the move didn't generate much of anything. Shawn Bates: Was a -1 and had 0 shots on goal. Bates' goal in Game 1 was the only goal he's scored in I would guess 15 games. Mark Parrish: Nothing. Even he looks like he's in shock at his performance out there. Parrish has scored 2 goals in his last 32 games. Unbelievable! Dave Scatchard: Was a -1 and had 2 shots on goal. Scatchard seems to take a lot of pride in being an Islander. You can see it when he talks during interviews. Which is why I can't understand how this team can look so uninspired at times. I'm not blaming it on him of course. But maybe more players should have his drive. But in reality he only has one goal in the series. Jason Wiemer: Had 2 shots on goal. I'm really confused as to what Wiemer brings to this team. He was brought in for toughness. I thought he would maybe break out and contribute a little more offensively having finally played for a good team for the first time in his career. Maybe it's because the Senators don't want to get involved in the physical game. The Isles acquired guys like Wiemer and Asham after the beating they took last season against Toronto. Now it doesn't seem like they need that for this series. It's more skating and offense combined with a strong defensive system that is winning games. Jason Blake: Registered 8 shots in Game 1, regressed to 1 shot in each of the next two games and capped it off with no shots in Game 4. His slump is similar to Bates as Blake has notched only 1 goal in his last 15 games. Steve Webb: When Webb records two of the best scoring chances for your team, you know something is wrong. Webb's first shot was a beautiful rush to the net as he cut in and beat out a Senator defenseman to the net. Wouldn't it have been interesting if Oleg Kvasha and the rest of the Isles forwards cut carry the puck to the net like that? The scary thought is perhaps Webb topped out last season. He had a pretty good season in 2001-02 and in the playoffs he hit everything in sight as the Isles built rivalries with Darcy Tucker, Shayne Corson and the rest of the Leafs. But with Webb, a one goal scorer this season getting crucial ice time, you have to wonder. He really hasn't thrown a big hit this series and the Isles seem to be struggling to play a physical game. Perhaps the Senators are too fast. Also the officials are calling every single hit. Webb might fill a role on the fourth line. Anything more is a problem. Arron Asham: Did nothing last night and didn't get a whole lot of ice time either. I said I was worried he would come out of this series without having contributed. So far the worst is coming to fruition. It's like those first year playoff blues when a player is thrown into his first major role. Oleg Kvasha: Had 2 shots on goal. He hasn't provided the offense that the Islanders have always believed he could. The Senators took a 3-1 lead on the power play when Marian Hossa had his pass knocked into the Isles net by Kvasha's stick blade. Michael Peca: Was a +1 and led the team with 4 shots on goal. The rumors are swirling that Peca has to be hurt. Speculation around what it could possible be. He apparently has his surgically repaired left shoulder iced down after every game. He may have hit the wall after suffering major knee surgery one year ago in the playoffs. Reportedly he may have a wrist injury now, which is hurting his capability to take faceoffs. One puzzling change made by Laviolette was to create a line of Peca, Wiemer and Webb. That surely is not going to get Peca out of his slump, as he has now gone 24 games without a goal. Justin Papineau: Well, a lot of fans got what they wanted last night. Laviolette inserted Papineau into the lineup. He only played a little over 5 minutes. But at least that was more than the 1 minute Eric Godard was receiving. But in the end Papineau was a non-factor. But maybe it was because he wasn't put out there with anyone significant. He started the game on the fourth line with Asham and Kvasha. I said after the last game that I wasn't in favor of inserting Papineau into the lineup, but I was glad they did actually. But as I said, perhaps he is just not ready yet to contribute consistently and in a big game like this. But if he had broke through and had a huge game, boosting the Isles to victory, I would have admitted that I was wrong. Mattias Weinhandl: Unfortunately broke his toe in the game Saturday against Atlanta in the Isles 3-2 loss. He played Sunday in the 2-1 win in Carolina. But now he is out indefinitely. Weinhandl scored 6 goals this season in his rookie year. 3 of the goals came against Ottawa and Patrick Lalime. Now doesn't it seem even more unfortunate the Islanders don't have him nor the depth he could have brought at the forward position. At least he could have helped make a formidable fourth line. Eric Godard: Was a healthy scratch as Justin Papineau saw his first action of the series. Justin Mapletoft: Was
a healthy for the 2nd straight game. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: Played almost 25 minutes, had 2 shots on goal in the second period and was a -1. The Islanders game plan was to spread some of the minutes out here on defense since they would have to go at it again 24 hours later in Ottawa for Game 5. But should they have worried about that? They had to win Game 4 at all costs. Just worry about getting that done. Play them as much as you have to. Adrian Aucoin: Played over 28 minutes. Aucoin scored the Islanders lone goal on a 4 on 4 early in the second period. Michael Peca had a good shift forechecking in the offensive zone and following a rebound Anton Volchenkov sent a weak clearing pass right back to Aucoin. Adrian fired it back into the open lane and scored as Volchenkov screened Lalime. It was the first goal scored by an Islander defenseman in the series. Aucoin had 2 shots on goal in the second period and was a +1. Janne Niinimaa: Played over 17 minutes, which is 3 to 4 minutes less than his average. He was a -1 on the night. He took another penalty in the second period, his 5th in the last two games. Eric Cairns: Played over 9 minutes after only seeing 2 minutes in Game 3. Cairns had 1 shot on goal, in the second period. He was a -1. Kenny Jonsson: Played over 26 minutes and was a -1. He was credited with 3 shots on goal which shocks me. Earlier in the day I saw an interview he did on Mike and the Mad Dog. KJ said he always thinks to pass first. It showed late in the game when the Islanders were on the power play. He took one shot in the second period and two in the third. Radek Martinek: Played over 13 minutes and was a -1. Martinek missed a perfect opportunity to cut the Islanders deficit to 3-2 in the third when Shawn Bates wrestled the puck away from a roaming Lalime behind the net ans sent it back up through the slot. Unfortunately the puck either jumped over Martinek's stick or he fanned on the shot. Mattias Timander:
Was a healthy scratch after his only appearance in the series in Game 3
was a very shaky one. Goal: Garth Snow: He made 25 saves and only allowed 3 goals. The biggest thing that bothers me is the first goal. It killed the Islanders momentum and the game had hardly started yet. How many times this season have we seen Snow give up this goal? He was absolutely beaten clean by the shot. Snow is a big body, but he plays a butterfly style and often goes down too soon. The second goal was pretty much an unfortunate fluke. Same thing for the third goal. Snow made an unbelievable toe in the air save to stop Ottawa from making it 4-1 that even Dominik Hasek could appreciate. This next game, if Snow gets the call will be Snow's last chance to grab this thing by the horns and lead this team to victory. This is Snow's team, so I think he should get the start. But I wouldn't be surprised to see DiPietro in the net Thursday night. Perhaps the kid gets hot and suddenly the Senators can't solve him. That is a big perhaps. But this is Snow's playoff run.
Coaches All the line changes just drove me crazy. Peca with Wiemer and Webb? Come on. No chemistry at all. Yet, it's hard to blame the coach when the old pairing don't get it done either. What happened to the Lucky 7's line? Should Laviolette have gone longer with Scatchard-Wiemer-Blake? Towards the end of the season, Yashin-Asham-Kvasha showed to be a pretty good first line. Only Yashin has really done much of anything. And who do we blame for this team coming out flat and uninspired when they had a chance to tie the series up 2-2? Losing both Game's 3 & 4 is just unacceptable. Special Teams The Islanders went 0-5 on the power play and in the last two games at home went a combined 1-15. In the series they are 2-26. Horrible. Ottawa went 1-5 last night and scored their third goal on the power play. Marian Hossa scored a goal similar to one he scored in Game 2. He banked the puck into the net off Oleg Kvasha to put the Senators up 3-1 in the second period. In the series Ottawa has gone 3-25. Not great, but slightly better than the Islanders.
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS OTTAWA SENATORS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions:
OTT - 1 of 5, NYI - 0 of 5.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview Game 4: A Must Win Apr 16: The Isles look to bounce back tonight in what is undoubtedly the biggest, and most important must have game of the year. Resilient all season long, the Isles hope to tie the series and avoid falling 3-1 to the Senators. Isles vs. Senators Game 4 Preview: Islanders defenseman Janne Niinimaa remained confident despite Monday night's loss. "I expect to win this series,'' Niinimaa said. "We have to get (ticked) off about this loss and come out even harder Wednesday to get the win and even the series.'' Alexei Yashin and Randy Robitaille had goals for the Islanders, who failed to increase a one-goal lead despite numerous power-play opportunities. Robitaille scored with a man advantage with 44 seconds left in the first period, but Ottawa killed off the final six Islanders power plays. "We hit the post three times on the power play,'' New York coach Peter Laviolette said. "We had opportunities. Some of the power plays didn't go the way we wanted them to go, others went the way we wanted.'' The Islanders need better performances from Niinimaa and captain Michael Peca if they are to avoid going back to Ottawa facing a 3-1 deficit. Peca had no shots on goal in 39 shifts in Game 3 and won just 11 of 29 faceoffs. Niinimaa was a minus-two in 31 1/2 minutes of ice time and took four penalties. Fatigue could be a huge factor in the next two games, particularly for the Islanders, who use a much shorter bench than the Senators. New York's Adrian Aucoin played nearly 46 minutes, while fellow defensemen Roman Hamrlik and Kenny Jonsson were each on the ice for more than 39 minutes in Game 3. Defenseman Zdeno Chara led Ottawa with a little more than 35 minutes of ice time. While Laviolette rarely used forward Eric Godard and defensemen Mattias Timander and Eric Cairns in Game 3, Ottawa coach Jacques Martin rotated four lines and used six defensemen. "I think our depth played a big part,'' Martin said. "It was encouraging that we got better as the game went along.'' With Game 5 scheduled for Thursday in Ottawa, the teams will have to travel after Game 4 and be back on the ice less than 24 hours later. PLAYOFF TEAM LEADERS: Senators - Marian Hossa and White, 2 goals; Chara, 3 assists and 3 points; Chris Neil, 11 PIM. Islanders - Yashin, 2 goals and 3 points; Hamrlik, 2 assists, Jason Wiemer, 19 PIM. News: News is out that captain Michael Peca has been having his left wrist taped due to an injury he received to it in some training camp physical tests. That didn't seem to bother him when he was scoring at a good pace mid-season. Even though he says he is 100% or close to it, he apparently gets his surgically repaired left shoulder iced down after every game. And of course he could be hitting a wall that has lasted for the last two months since having his left knee surgically repaired as well. The wrist could possibly be hurting him on faceoffs and shooting the puck. But whatever is ailing him he will be out there and ready for Game 4 tonight. Hopefully tonight he notches one. Remember: To wear white for tonight's game. Game Day Update: Both WFAN & ESPN 1050 are broadcasting from the Nassau Coliseum today. During one particular interview with coach Peter Laviolette, he reluctantly let out of the bag that C/LW Justin Papineau will be in the lineup tonight.
Good News Most critics favored the Senators coming into the series, but at times the Islanders have absolutely dominated the opponent. With a convincing win in Game 1 of the series and having controlled Game 3 for most of regulation, the Isles are feeling confident. Notes: The Ottawa Senators are unbeaten in their last 16 games at Nassau Coliseum. Extending that streak to 17 will give them a commanding lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the New York Islanders. Ottawa tries to go up 3-1 on New York when the teams meet in Game 4 on Long Island. After each team recorded a 3-0 victory in the first two games of the series in Ottawa, the top-seeded Senators regained home-ice advantage with a 3-2 win in double overtime Monday. Todd White scored his second goal of the game 2:25 into the second extra period and Ottawa killed off nine of New York's 10 power-play chances. Defenseman Chris Phillips also scored for the Senators, 12-0-4 at Nassau Coliseum since Jan. 6, 1996. Ottawa is 23-3-7 against New York in the last 33 meetings overall, including regular season and playoffs. "They're tough to beat in this place,'' Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said of Nassau Coliseum. "It's tough to win here and we picked it up when we had to.''
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Lets Go Isles! |
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
