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ISLES INFO |
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ISLES INFO |
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IslesInfo Comments: It's almost comical, and that's when it's most frustrating. Three plays in this game pretty much summarized the Isles season to this point. The first instance took place in the first period. The Islanders failed to take advantage of two early powerplay advantages early on, including one 37 seconds into the game. The powerplay, which has been a little better as of late, looked lethargic and at times confused tonight. After the Islanders two failed attempts, Montreal went on their first powerplay after a charging call to Steve Webb. Not too long later Montreal defenseman Craig Rivet skated in the neutral zone towards the Islanders end and attempted to fire the puck in off the glass and behind the net. Chris Osgood left his net to try and get an upper hand by stopping the puck. That was when whatever else could go wrong for the Islanders did as the puck redirected off the glass and slid right into an empty Islander net as Osgood could do nothing but watch. With Montreal taking a 1-0 lead, the Islanders would go on to fail two more times on the powerplay. They went 0-4 on the powerplay in the first period. They only amounted 5 shots on those powerplays, but finished the period outshooting the Canadiens 11-4. - The second period was more of the same as the Islanders somehow continue to pile up shots. But not many of them have been quality, and the Islanders just can't finish. At 1:47 of the second period, the second play that summarizes the Islanders season so far was made by Radek Martinek on defense. Holding the puck down by the boards, he made a soft clearing play off the boards that was easily batted down out of the air by an opposing Montreal player. When a player can do that by just using his stick blade, then you KNOW it was a weak play by Martinek. Jan Bulis received the puck down low in front of Osgood. He took the shot and the puck found it's way through Osgood's pads and into the net for a 2-0 Canadiens lead. It was not a very strong shot and Osgood probably wished he had a second chance at it. The Islanders would go on to squander ANOTHER two powerplay opportunities and by the end of the second were 0-6 on the extra man advantage. - The third period was much more of the same as both teams traded a powerplay opportunity each. Of course the Islanders failed to capitalize once again and on the night went a dismal 0-7. The Canadiens just pretty much sat on the lead, while Jose Theodore saw most shots coming his way. The ones he didn't see he got lucky that the puck hit him. Theodore has struggled lately but leave it to the Islanders to help raise his confidence. The Islanders pulled Osgood with a minute left to go in the game. With 20 seconds remaining, the third play took place that has summarized the Isles this season. Three Islanders, Yashin, Bates and I think Parrish chased down the puck behind the Canadiens. The Canadiens had two men there as well. All of a sudden all three Islanders were standing around shaking their heads and looking around like "Where's the puck???" They had no clue that the puck had somehow ended up back high in the Canadiens zone and was getting skated out into the neutral zone. That was when Doug Gilmour notched the empty netter as he skated in on a two on one behind all the confused Islanders. Canadiens win 3-0, Islanders lose their sixth straight and drop to 3-9-1-0. The Islanders are now tied with Atlanta for the most losses on the season with 9. They have also allowed the most goals in the Eastern Conference with 50. The Isles come home to face Edmonton Friday night at the Coliseum. Fight Card: None Commentary: Could this be that long 10 to 12 game losing streak that all us Islander fans have come to see destroy our season back in the late 90's? The Islanders need to plug up the dam and quick because it is starting to look that way. In 1999-00 the Islanders went on a 9 game winless streak that included 8 losses, they missed the playoffs. In 1998-99 they went on an 11 game winless streak that included 10 losses, they missed the playoffs. In 1997-98 they went on an 11 game winless streak that included 10 losses, they missed the playoffs. In 1995-96 the Islanders went on an 11 game losing streak, although it was late in the season and they were already out of it. Right now the Islanders need to play 10 games over .500 just to finish with 88 points, and four games over .500 which is what Montreal had to get the 8th seed in 2001-02. What's most surprising is that this Islander team is way better than any of those Islander teams that went on those losing streaks. This is starting to get scary.
Report Card: Brad Isbister: Along with Scatchard and Asham, was the best line on the ice for the Islanders tonight. Not much to be said when you get shutout though. So they weren't all that great. Yeah, they got the puck into the Canadiens zone more often than the other lines, but that's about it. Isbister has been incredibly ineffective. Alexei Yashin: Was nonexistent throughout the first two periods. Got a little bit more involved in the third amounting 4 shots for the game. Is he really unhappy with his linemates as reported? Did we really sign him to a LONG LONG 10 year contract? Shawn Bates: I said it before, i'll say it again....he's being counted on too much. He, like so many other Islanders are making bad plays, for instance passing the puck and drop passing to members of the opposite team. He's been acting as the pivot on the powerplay and is not doing very well getting the puck to the open man. Mark Parrish: Like I mentioned, he was guilty of making a couple behind the back passes on Canadien sticks. Dave Scatchard: Trying hard. You can see the frustration on his face as he wears it more than some. Cannot seem to score or get quality scoring chances at all as of late. Jason Wiemer: Not much ice time. What a mistake this was. He came in with a role, that's why Milbury acquired him. He has brought absolutely NOTHING to this team. Jason Blake: Speedy, awesome speed. Nice puck handling. No offense, weak shot and often loses the puck after speedily getting it into the offensive zone. Played well defensively though as the Islanders only gave up the one fluke powerplay goal against. Claude Lapointe: Got a lot of ice time in the first period. Possibly because Lapointe normally plays well when he returns to his hometown of Montreal. Unfortunately, that's too much responsibility for him. Steve Webb: Had a couple of good hits, but how often does he make an impact on whether the Islanders win or lose? On the road? Just about never. Eric Manlow: When Eric Manlow gets more quality chances to score in a game than 95% of your team, you got a serious problem. He had a good chance to score when he broke in on a two on one. But Theodore made the stop in his pads. Later he had a glorious chance to force a Montreal defenseman, who had broken his stick. Manlow skated in on Rivet and instead of trying to go around him, took a weak shot right into Rivet's feet. Mattias Weinhandl: Had a couple good shifts, including one killing a penalty. But wasn't as noticeable as he was in his debut. Perhaps Laviolette should have played him more. The Isles need his offense, thay need ANY offense. Arron Asham: "I have to hit. I have to get things going. I have to fight." Where was it tonight Asham? I shouldn't get on you too bad, it's not like Islander fans are expecting too much from you. But he did have one good wrap around attempt on Theodore. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: There was one shift where it looked like he was trying to step it up. But too many times it just seems like skating is a chore for someone who has all the talent in the world. Adrian Aucoin: Missed the net again several times tonight. Eric Cairns: Had a couple good shift. Blocked a few shots. Tried to get a little physical, but in todays NHL you can't really do that, or you'll get called for a penalty. Thanks Gary Bettman. Kenny Jonsson: Was crunched in the first period by of all people Mariusz Czerkawski. Chow had just been given a pretty good hit by Webb in the Canadiens zone. Czerkawski came back and caught Jonsson off guard, sending him into the boards hard against his shoulder. Reportedly, according to the Islanders, Jonsson had already been suffering from illness earlier in the day. Also, we know he has recenlty suffered a finger injury. Jonsson left the Islanders bench in the second period but returned. He didn't take the ice though. He then did not come out of the Islanders locker room to play the third period. Jonsson seems to be having a horrible season. He has the worst plus/minus on the team at -7. Radek Martinek: Tonight he played his 32nd game in the NHL. Perhaps he should soon play his first game in the AHL. Martinek has been absolutely pathetic this season. We all remember his great start last year, but that was last year. Before the ACL injury. Radek has returned from the injury only to struggle as he has recently made some of the WORST fundamental hockey moves ever. Against St. Louis he sent the puck onto the Islanders own net that led to a goal. And of course he made a weak clearing attempt tonight and turned the puck over which led to the Bulis goal. Mattias Timander: Had maybe one or two good shots on net. Theodore had to make a blind save on one. Plus he got stoned down low in the crease in the third period. But otherwise, he has not made the Islanders defense improved or stand out any. With him, Martinek not playing well, Jonsson not playing well and throw in Hamrlik and Aucoin struggling to hit the net, the Islanders defense does not seem to be the strength of the team that they originally thought. But maybe if the offense could score a few goals..... Goal: Chris Osgood: Is trying to get his mental game back, and then a fluke goal happens that just seems to deflate him and the team. Like I said, it summarizes the Islanders season perfectly. But Osgood was actually not too bad in this game. Even though he is giving up at least one bad goal a game, tonight he only gave up one to Bulis which he probably wishes he had a second chance at. Besides that there was the fluke goal and the empty netter. Funny thing about the fluke goal, the puck almost took a similar bounce later in the third period when the Islanders returned to defend the same zone. This time it was much further down in the corner. But for the rest of the night Osgood hardly left his net. I've seen that play happen before where the goal was scored. But you still can't believe it when it happens. But if I recall correctly, the place i've seen it happen quite a few times, is right there in Montreal. Also, if I remember right, I think I recall former Islander Mick Vukota scoring on that same exact bounce in a game against Montreal. But it was probably in the old Forum. Weird nonetheless. Coaches: Laviolette called a timeout after the Islanders dropped down 2-0. The Islanders never got anything going, especially on the powerplay. The powerplay is run by Kelly Miller. He has received some criticism as of late for the way the Islanders powerplay has played. Jacques Laperriere is in charge of the defense and the penalty kill. Right now they are making Laviolette and Miller look real bad. It's unfortunate the way the Islanders are playing so early in the season. It's a shame if they blow their chances early and then have to play the season out, basically chasing hopes that just won't be there. They are starting to dig a hole that will be too deep even once Michael Peca returns. And who knows it won't take Peca a while to return to form like it has Martinek. GM: Mike Milbury was reportedly not around to see the game tonight. He is in Finland doing some scouting. Lets hope he's not already scouting for the 2003 draft the way the Islanders are going. He most probably was scouting Islanders 2002 first round pick Sean Bergenheim, and perhaps 2000 third round pick defenseman Arto Tukio. 2001 9th round pick Juha-Pekka Ketola just recently returned to Finland after playing last season in the Quebec League.
Canadiens 3, Islanders 0
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSE GOALTENDERS MONTREAL DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions:
NYI - 0 of 7, MON - 1 of 4.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview It's Make or Break Time Nov 7: It may sound a bit to early to say it, but tonight is the biggest game of the season for the Isles. Because if they do not come away with a win, it's going to be very difficult to dig themselves out of the hole they have built in the division and playoff race. Isles vs. Montreal Preview: Desperate is the word for the New York Islanders. And tonight when they visit Montreal they will be looking to put an end to their current 5 game losing streak. This is the first of three games this weekend as the Islanders will return home for another three game homestand which includes the second of back to back games Friday night against Edmonton and an afternoon game Sunday against the Dallas Stars. Alexei Yashin knows how important this game is as he has recently stated that he acknowledges he needs to do more. Yashin is currently tied for the team lead in scoring with 9 points along with Shawn Bates and Mark Parrish. He leads the team with 5 goals. Garth Snow has been the go to guy in net as of late for the Islanders with the struggles of Chris Osgood. As many observers are beginning to whisper the name of Rick DiPietro, Osgood should get a chance to once again make good, or at least better, tonight. The numbers have been well documented: Ozzie is last in the league in GAA and his save percentage is dismal. And we all know how he was at the total other end of the spectrum last season at this time. It would be nice to see him stand on his head tonight. But with the Islanders not allowing many shots to their opponents, the Islanders would fare well if Osgood could just have a solid game. - With the Isles season home record currently at 2-6-0-0, perhaps a road game to start the weekend is what the doctor ordered. It will be interesting to see what the lineup will look like tonight. Laviolette plans to re-insert Arron Asham, the ex-Canadien. And for the first time the Islanders will face old friend Mariusz Czerkawski. Laviolette may have to sit another forward to get Asham into the game. Will it be a regular? Or perhaps one of the 3 recent call ups from Bridgeport? Mattias Weinhandl should get another look on the wing with Yashin. He didn't disappoint in his debut Monday night against Calgary. He showed his promised offensive prowess, but surprisingly added a bit of physical grit as he threw a couple of hits in the game as well. Theodore & Mariusz Face Isles Word out of Montreal is that last seasons MVP Jose Theodore will be making his second straight start tonight against the Isles. His last game was a 5-2 loss to the red hot St. Louis Blues. Like Osgood, Theodore has had his downs this year as well. Theodore's record up to this point is 1-4-2 with a 4.07 GAA and a .861 save percentage. In the early part of the season, Montreal's number one goaltender has been former Islander Jeff Hackett. Thanks to him the Canadiens have fashioned a 4-4-4-0 record on the season. Another report coming out of Montreal is that disgruntled forward Donald Audette will be inserted into the lineup after sitting out the last 4 games. He is pointless on the season and his status with the team is unknown since he has voiced his displeasure. Both he and Hackett have been mentioned in trade rumors. Of course, this leads us to the most intriguing story of the night: the Islanders facing Mariusz Czerkawski for the first time since they traded him to Montreal this summer for Arron Asham and a draft pick. Czerkawski has already had a bumpy start with his new team. He was benched for a game earlier in the season after not producing. Like he did this summer with Peter Laviolette, he questioned whether coach Michel Therrien liked him. After mouthing off Czerkawski has already found himself the subject of trade rumors again. On the season he is 2-6-8 in 11 games played. - The main player to keep an eye on is Saku Koivu. After returning late last season from non hodgkins disease. He is their current leading scorer going 4-6-10 in 12 games. Yanic Perreault has defied the odds in his career and become a pretty good player in the NHL. He is tied for second on the team going 4-5-9 in 12 games. The Canadiens, normally known for their defensive, low scoring play, have two defenseman who are putting up some good numbers this year, especially on the powerplay. Both Patrice Brisebois and Andrei Markov have 9 points each. Richard Zednik leads the team in goals with 6 in 11 games.
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Lets Go Isles! |
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
