Good morning, boneheads!
Better defensive team effort.
Not taking early penalties.
Solid goaltending.
A few goal posts.
A game breaker.
A young, improving future elite offensive player. Or maybe even 2?
Adding a bit of sandpaper so that your team is not budging when pushed around, and starts pushing back.
Is that how you win games in this league?
Now, can they repeat?
PS. Howden did a few small things very well yesterday. And scored too. He must’ve read our blog.
Click here to read Carp’s game review.
233 responses to “Rangers-4, Capitals-1”
Where is “Really?”…I want to hear more on Lemieux being sub par because he has five goals.
So nice to finally beat the Caps. Henry was lucky and good. Liked Fox’es game. Can see him being good for a long time. Really tired of Wash running all of our guys for years with very little push back. Nice to see Peppy kid and Truba with a little snarl. Kakko and Bread man with Strome on power play was fun to watch. At the end of the game;would have like to see Krider do a little more then talk to Ovi. I guess that ship has sailed. Hope they can find a trade and get a player or draft picks for him.
When was the last time the King had a shutout?
What I think they need to take home after this game is that they have enough offensive talent to score goals without taking chances on defense. That’s a big change from last year.
According to the fancy STATS, Howden did not have a good game. The STAT Boys think he, and Lemieux are holding Kakko back. You see, the fancy STATS also say Kakko had a bad game, and they can’t have that.
Forgot to mention.
Using cocaine gets you a 3 games suspension.
Spitting gets you 3 games suspension as well.
ILB I’m having breakfast with Kevin Stevens and he wants you to know he thinks that’s reasonable
Just watched the extended highlights again this AM. Not only did Pepe have the most memorable fight since Shanny, one that meant something. He also had 3 Grade A scoring chances earlier in the game. Two backhands in close and a sneaky forehand shot that almost went in on from a sharper angle that he had to get it off quickly before he lost his angle completely. That shows some quick hands. Holtby had some nice saves.
SO pissed that smith took the 3rd period tripping penalty and skjej doesnt play defense on a PK, doing the go down to one knew screen instead of pressuring the puck. Exactly the same terrible spot Howden did the last game on Connely
Hank has over 50 carreer shutouts. But neither he nor Georgie will get one any time soon with the rangers innate ability to take bad careless penalties and have porous D in from of them.
Howden’s best game of his career. Not because he scored, but because he kept getting back up and involved after getting blasted a few times. Showed grit and character. Hopefully he can build off of it.
LMAO
If I realized ahead of time how controversial this Howden thing was actually becoming I wouldn’t have come up w the name “Quinn’s son”. I guess the consensus is that another 21 year old kid is trash.
Lack of patience and tolerance from the same people who get offended when Carp and others have said that fans won’t stand for a re-whatever…
Broadway bread got Broadway hat.
Really? – did you see the play I was talking about?
Also, 19 games in and you break down his ability with a simple stat like 1 goal? thats cool that you have enough sample size there. Last year I believe he had more than 1 goal. Does that mean the opposite of your assertion. Are you Really? a troll changing handles?
Buchnevich was consistently amazing last night.
I’m on the can
E3 always the most logical one around here 🙂
I did not mind Gettinger in the 6 minutes he played. Was a good net front presence, and his skating looked improved.
Cregg, don’t bother. Some people can’t handle a debate when it starts to heat up or even a reasonable conversation…
As soon as Lemieux makes a bad play he’ll be back to spew something and disappear again.
Didn’t notice Gettinger at all actually. Probably a good thing.
On Howden and Lemieux,
Howden has not been good all season. He has a good shift here or there, occasionally a good period. Last night was his first good game.
If you can’t appreciate what Lemieux brings to the table each night, well then I don’t know what to tell you
That’s why I said this Winnipeg trade is looking better and better.
Chytil was good last night. After the Florida game I was worried he may be falling back into his bad habits, but he bounced back. Great sign. The thing that has most impressed me with Chytil is that he is going to the right spots in the D zone. He’s learning when and where to support the puck. When you are in the right places, the puck finds you.
Howden had a good game. Lias was obviously holding him back.
If you think that was Howden’s first good game, BDL… well, let’s just say we things differently. As to Lemieux, he’s not here to score goals—last year’s modest haul was an anomaly, I thought—and there are plenty of others who are. He’s been dynamite.
To be fair, James, this new fellow is hardly alone in picking a player and never having a good thing to say about him. We give our individual whipping boys sarcastic nicknames for god’s sake. More or less defines the place.
First complete game Norm.
I’m a Howden fan, just being honest about what I see. I have been rooting hard for Howden and Andersson.
if you spit coke that obviously 6 games
First complete game? I didn’t think it was complete, just his usual solid performance, with a goal, some mistakes, and some take-a-hits that anyone would notice, not just some. It could be that you’re holding him to a much higher standard than I am. If so, fair enough.
I think one of the best things here is the ability of over the top fans raving about mediocre players subjecting those players to nicknames by logical fans that are then perceived as over the top nicknames.
It’s the best.
Chytil has a unique and difficult to attain blend of talent
His frame paired with his skill is going to be a fun thing to watch develop. Speed bumps will happen. But man oh man. To dream of what he looks like at 26 is enough to make me giddy.
decent game by Howden …almost got killed a few times but cashed in on being left alone in front. Still would rather see Kakko with a different center though
Try that sentence again, Wicky. I don’t think it means what you think it means. 🙂
If this M.O. continues, Howden’s my idea of a bona-fide tough guy. Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
Takes a lickin’ and gets the [very good] pass away.
Buch threw Wilson a couple evil looks, made me thing that he might fall into the trap of doing the dukes. We DO need a playable he-man or our kids will all season be run and pummeled by the Wilsons of the League. Bravo to Pepe, but he ain’t that guy.
Howden nickname: ‘Timex’
Good thing we kept Staal around last couple of seasons to train Skjei to be useless.
Lemieux is only giving 3 inches and 5 pounds to Wilson, not that big a deal. And he has angrier hair.
Norm, regarding your 9:49am,
The only part of your post I disagree with is “new fellow”…
Not to mention one is from the blood line of one of the all time best pests in the game while the other has a Volleyball for a father..
Wick I read that post 4 times in a row. Still not 100% sure what you said but I’m confident that I agree with you.
Might have also served as a wake up call for Howden to see Andersson get sent down and Haley “waived”. If so it says a lot about his confidence or lack thereof..
Elite Teams like Boston, St Louis, Washington all have playable toughness, and bring the “jam” or heavy game.
Even the sub-elite teams like the Canes and Icelanders also do not shy away from hitting and have playable toughness.
No question we need guys like Pepe, and more tough grinders if we are to make a move towards the elite teams.
Rangers did not cower in the presence of the mighty Capitals last night, but there’s no question the Rangers would not survive a series versus a big heavy talented team like Washington as the Rangers are currently constructed.
James, thanks. I assumed he was new.
Norm, 11:06. – Ridiculous. Like saying Bill De Blasio is bigger than Ali, ergo….Get a grip.
Volleyball, lol.
OK, no doubt you’re right, not a boxing aficionado. But you gotta give me the angrier hair.
Since Zibby’s been out, Garden plumbers having less problems with shower drain backups. 🙂
Volleyball. Nice. But let’s not forget his great-grandfather thought he was making the world safe for democracy.
He anticipated Butttman’s League of Nations.
that was the worst, most embarrassing 4-1 drubbing of the best team in the league, 17 months removed from a title, that I’ve ever seen
boy, if only we had one last playable Colton Orr type to wipe his a$$ with dooshes like Wilson
Since my 10:01 has left some confusion out there…my apologies, I’ll you an example to perhaps simplify it…
Hypothetical example
Over the top fan that doesn’t really get things “omg, Gonzales is amazing he skates so fast he’s a cornerstone d man for this franchise for a decade”
Logical fan “he doesn’t know his butt from a hole in the ground in the d zone and doesn’t make quick decisions. Who cares how fast he can skate if he doesn’t know what to do when he gets there”
Over the top fan “you just hate Gonzales”
Logical fan “no, just saying what he is and isn’t”
Over the top “look how fast he got up the ice”
Logical “wow, look how fast he got back to the wrong position on D and got beat wide…hey, what a great nickname, beat wide”
Over the top “you just hate Gonzales and are giving him a nickname and making him the whipping boy”
Is that better?
Kreider should get more credit for the hit on Wilson. Wilson then went around looking for a dance partner and Lemieux obliged.
Well well well… looks like somebody is practicing in a full contact Jersey….
DJ pudding skull?
GonLzaleLz. Never not funny.
Heck of a quick decisive pass by Kakko on the first goal
That’s knowing your pass well before you get the puck, on crack. Great play.
I can do the same scenario for other overrated players by some fans…not to difficult but very comical how overrated they are.
Too, not to
Going out is overrated!
No way Babcock could deal with this team on D the way it is constructed.
But coming out of the closet is a good way to air out old sport coats and grievances.
Very good point Norm
kakko knew what he was doing before he had the puck
This comment is overrated.
Knowing your pass before you get the ball, indeed showing for it because you have a plan for what you’re going to do when you get it, is the essence of soccer, that and knowing the ball moves faster than you can run. It’s the same in hockey to some extent, though the game is so much faster you don’t always have the time to think that far ahead.
rather see Staal killing penalties than Skjej
Congrats to keefe btw and good luck.
Now Toronto has a gm and coach on the same page, let’s see if they can buck the trend.
BobbyO
100%
I’d rather see Staal and beat wide on Toronto 😎
I’d rather not see Staawhl. At all.
Enough, Norm. I’m tired of you criticizing your own comments. “they’re overrated”…I think you just don’t like comments.
I have confidence in Keefe. But he’s going to have to gut that blueline before he can really start making them a contender.
And now that Dubas has his boy behind the bench he will live and die by that move…
My comments are legendary.
Can we give “C” to Panarin already?
Prima Donnas in Toronto will now play absolutely NO defense. Good luck.
THE finally got fed up. Kudos but took him long enough.
In your own mind maybe
😉
Commodore apparently benched a few too many times by Babcock
When I see a tweet from lidstrom that échos that sentiment, then we’ll have something;)
Cccp
You know that’s a day old right?!
😉
Commodore was hoping he made BABCOCK look bad. Backfired.
I miss the Bahama bomba, too bad he elbowed himself out of the league.
lol Wicky. I know. I didn’t see anyone post this here. Could be wrong tho :*
The condensed version of Commodore’s tweet:
“WAAH”
Commodore had to get that tweet out quick since Babcock the p**ck won’t be unemployed for very long.
Wick- LMAO
Kreider: “hey!….you mess with one of my teammates 8 or 9 more times and you’ll be sorry!”
Tavares killing coaches at a Mark Messier -like pace..
Players about Scotty Bowman: “ You hate him for 364 days a year. On day 365 you lift the Cup”.
I want to see how this Babcock situation unfolds, in terms of his future. What complicates this is that, including this season, Toronto is on the hook for 4 more years at $6.25M per of his $50M contract.
Ok, let’s play this game:
Which player on the current NYR roster would you consider to fit this elusive definition of playable toughness?
Tough to answer with zero criteria–everyone has his own.
Answer based on yours, Norm. There isn’t a clear cut definition anywhere, but here.
Lemeuix
Trouba
Lindgren
Deangelo
To a different extent
Hajek
Howden
Strome
Sometimes buch
When he wants kreider
Oh, well, then:
Playable toughness, emphasis on playable: Fast. Busts it, goes to the dirty areas, takes a hit to make a play, blocks shots (not as much as Howden and Lemieux, granted), PKOI leader.
Playable toughness, emphasis on toughness: Lemieux. Getting more playable every day, though.
agree w/jpp
I’m going with JPP’s
Lemieux
Trouba
Lindgren
DeAngelo
If he was doing it consistently, Kreider can be added.
As it is now, on my list, half of defense and no one in top 6.
Lemieux, lindgren, trouba are the only 3 for me.
Strome, lias (when he was here), deangelo, buch, and Kreider have shown they “can” play tough but usually don’t choose to. Strome gets the highest marks from me in this group.
Ilb asking a question that has been relevant since 1997 with the rangers lol.
Not that someone here has never brought it up or anything in the past 😉
The best one they ever got since they became competitive again was Ryan Clowe. I still maintain that if he was healthy, they beat Boston in 2013.
Ilb
Agree on both counts.
I consider playable toughness, one thing, not broken in to two things lol.
There are multiple parts of playable toughness imo, but it’s one category not two.
“Answer based on yours, Norm.” I had a feeling that wouldn’t fly, ilb. But at least I gave you only two when you asked for one. 🙂
Cool game recap.
PS, Yes Wicky, I know this was back in 2005 😀
Cccp
Lmmfao
💋
ILB I think it’s fair to say Avery if we can agree on Clowe.
Brandon Prust is take under consideration as a result of his first full year here when he and Boyle were on a line together. Those guys were pretty good. Can’t remember who the RW was on that line..
Would Pouliot count? Or is that more off a rat?
That’s back when Hank didn’t suck at shootouts
Yup… and Jagr participated in the shootout. Did you see that, Wicky?
James
All three of those guys are great examples of playable toughness imo.
Ilb was referencing in the top 6 I believe when he brought up clowe. It’s a great point by him and those guys you listed were mostly 3rd line guys though I’d argue that Pouliot line was really the Rangers first line that season and Avery did play some top 6 minutes.
Either way, the rangers have been deficient there for far too long when talking about playable toughness especially in the top 6.
Those guys are probably the toughest kind of player to find in the nhl.
Jagr…blech.
Hank – wow. Lest we forget what he was like pre-Alzheimer’s.
Boyler, DMoops, Dorsett. Now there was a playable fourth line worth a watch.
ryan clowe…woof! Gave up two picks for a guy coming off two concussions! Fact that a playoff bound sharks were itching to trade should have been enough to not make that trade
Clowe played 14 [pretty good] games for the Rangers. Doesn’t put him in the conversation if you ask me.
Coming back from 4-0 and winning happens twice a decade for a single team. The Panthers just did that twice in 9 says 😮
*days
Ev broke the blog.
Wicky double broke the blog.
Wick
I don’t care what ILB was referencing I do what I want! 😉
Seriously tho- I knew that. I would agree that it’s something they’ve lacked more than they’ve had it over the last 14 years.
Pouliot played with Brassard and Zucc so I’d consider that top six. Although Stepan and Richards were both here at the time.
I always said that if that could be considered your third line then the team has the right amount of depth.
But I digress….
Trying to think of some of the better guys in the league that would fit my definition.., Ferland, DeBrusk, Hornqvist, Dustin Brown (prime years) Boone Jenner, Folingo, Radulov, Simmonds in his hay day, Abdelkader in his prime…Pavelski, Ovie, Wheeler, ‘Kog, Marchand and Wilson obviously…
Evander kane, Perry in his prime, getzlaf…
Good morning, boneheads!
I am going to say this is an important game tonight for this team’s development. They just beat the best team in the league, but last time they played Ottawa they got whooped. Need to come out with purpose, remembering what it takes to win.
6-0 Ottawa.
Right, ILB and not only did they get whooped but it was right after a solid road win against Nashville the previous game….So we’re looking for pattern avoidance tonight more than anything.
Footage of most recent Zibanejad sighting
https://media.giphy.com/media/gjHuIwidiRcjemb1GH/giphy.gif
Crosby
James,
If you look closely at that Zibanejad footage, he stubs his toe on a rock. Word is, after that happened, he was not seen again for a month.
Tkachuk brothers
Bdl
Yep LBI, out for a month
Kadri
Retiring cookware with Lou Gehrig disease: “I’m the luckiest pan on the face of the earth.”
LOL, BDL that’s funny no matter how much we disagree on Zibanejad at times lol
Wick, I definitely thought of all three of those guys and just didn’t type their names in.
Probably could have had Kane too. He was a big gamble considering his Winnipeg and Buffalo stints though.
James
Lmao “gamble” now that’s funny!
Actually funny lol
Well you know how it is, Wick. In the ‘narrative’ we trust ; )
Garnet Hathaway, playable toughness?
Bdl
Yes, he just gives the weather instead of the news.
Buffalo looking hard for forwards apparently…I wonder if the rangers are still interested in ristolainen and at what value?
I thought you were referring to kane and his Vegas gambling debt lol
If Shesterkyin continues to light it up in AHL does that force any moves on Georgiev, they can send him down but it has to be soon since he would have to go through waivers after certiain amount of games. tough spot for Gorton since Georgiev has been good and keeping him in NHL builds trade value.
LOL, I’m not that quick this morning, Wick. But that would have been slick.
I thought Buffalo was all set once they acquired Jimmy Vesey?
What Buffalo needs is a top two way center that can dominate on faceoffs, pitch in on offense, score a big goal in a big situation.. The kind of guy that would win a Conn Smythe trophy if you were to go deep in the playoffs….
………….
………….welp! no one comes to mind. Let me know if you guys think of anyone.
Georgiev 9 games. 5 gems and 4 stinkers. I’m sure Quinn feels that he’s earned the right to have an attempt at consistency on the NHL level just like the majority of his teammates are attempting to do.
Would they carry 3 goalies?
dont see them carrying 3 unless they think that would force Hank’s hand on a trade …tough spot but they have to do whats best for long term here and not worry about feelings unfortunately
Yeah I think Georgie would have to go on a pretty bad skid of starts for them to send him down just for the sake of bringing Shesterkin up.
But if he did have bad skid they could not send him down without losing him for nothing
Which brings us back to carrying 3
Future hall of famer gilmour on waivers…
James,
If no the goaltending situation, I trust that you will get there soon as to what needs to happen.
If no? What the F is that! On the. That’s what I meant to say, on the.
If you’re implying Hank needs to be asked to waive his NTC or asked to hang up the pads then I’m already there.
IF no the goalie situation you think that what needs to happen is to trade a 23 year old who hasn’t hit his ceiling yet in order to make room for Shesty while simultaneously keeping Hank happy so he can collect his 9 million while boasting a 3.50 GAA and a .900% for another season before retiring….eh. Don’t hold your breath.
Let’s put Shesterkin aside for a moment.
Just remember something…Beezer was a Ranger for 11 years. And in his case had 6 or 7 more years of winning hockey in him when they left him exposed in the expansion draft instead of doing the “right thing”.
There wouldn’t have been a Cup without Richter.
Now we’re worried about doing the “right thing” with Lundqvist. Laughable.
No response. Mrs Doubtfire voice “It was a run by fruiting!”
Question for the day, will the fishsticks every lose another game in November? Do they raise the cup in June proclaiming “1994?” And if true how do I prevent my eyes and ears from bleeding? Asking for a friend!
I really don’t think that I could handle an isles June cup, Eli. I would have to move to another planet honestly.
Seems logical. 5 guys currently with shooting %s of like 25%. I’m sure that’s sustainable. Just ask Doodie
I have never mentioned doing the right thing by Hank. I want to do the right thing for the organization. I want to use the depth at one position, and maybe help the team at another.
There are no guarantees that any of them make it, but there is an awful lot of organizational depth in goal. Georgiev, Shetorkin, Huska, Wall, and the 2nd founder from the 18 draft. If, and that’s the key word, if there is good value in trading Georgiev or Shetorkin, there should be no hesitation, you do it.
The right thing may be carrying 3 goalies unless they get blown away on a Georgiev offer
Right about now 52 years ago JFK was shot in Dallas. Wonder what kind of world we would live in if those events never happened. You know;small things like Vietnam and the civil rights movement. Just a thought.
Sorry 56 years ago. where does the time go.
Kennedy started it with Nam.
What do you consider blown away? I have in mind what I would want in a trade for Georgiev, I would want a top 9 winger. Preferably someone with some size and grit, and could score some.
Fund a team in desperate need of a goalie. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
You’re not getting rid of the Islanders through unsustainable shooting percentages by guys with one or two goals. They’re a good team with a sound defense and a great coach.
Minx, how are you and the wife feeling? Over the flu? I heard there may be some great dinner specials tonight starting at 7:30 PM. They are trying to fill up seats after blue plate special is over 🙂
Is Ilb’s 9:36 AM an indication that he is giving the pre-game pep talk? Probably should give the boneheads one too!
I like how the two topics overlapped for a moment with Kennedy and blown away.
Is doodie still on SN island?
If so, did he see Orr? What’s sally doing? How’s mama?
A lot can happen between now and June. I’m not saying the Islanders aren’t a good team. They are. They have a coach who has players whom have bought in, a franchise which hasn’t had a legitimate coach since Al Arbour. Trotz has his team hitting, playing defense first, opportunistic scoring. Lundqvist would have 10 Vezinas if he had this system in front of him… Trotz has been spreading the minutes between his 6 defensemen fairly evenly.
But it wasn’t too long ago the Penguins went on a 16 game or so point streak, only to lose to the Rangers in the playoffs (2014? 15? I forget)
Even the Washington Nats started their season out 19-31 (or so) and somehow went on to defeat the mighty (cheatin) Astros.
Isles fans have every right to enjoy every moment so far this season, but it’s a helluva long way in a hockey season between now and mid-June. I would be optimistic, but realistic and cautious.
After the deadline they may carry three goalies to take a look at Eyegore. He’s 24 and if he proves himself n the AHL he isn’t going back there next season. The goaltending carousel might send Hank a message and encourage him to reconsider his options.
Is robidas still there?
Orf
Eyegore…brilliant
Akbar
It’s a trap.
I mentioned a couple weeks ago on another site the Islanders with trotz are becoming a very system team much like the devils in the mid to late 90’s…going to have some success.
Did anyone post this yet? https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28131240/inside-brendan-smith-transition-defenseman-forward
Wicky
Did the Caps become a system team under Trotz? What about his teams prior to the Caps? I don’t recall much, other than his teams were always competitive (like Vigneault).
I think you’re right – but also I believe he has tremendous cache and players whom believe in him. When they win 3 Stanley cups in 9 seasons (G-d help us), then I’ll put them in the same sentence as NJ.
Wicky
In the Islanders’ case: It’s THE Trap
(Trap system, that is)
Akbar
I don’t think so re caps. I mean he had more offencive talent with the caps, so was a bit less likely to have a team wide system like with the isles.
The isles just remind me a lot of the devils from back then, not aftraid to play d or not have the puck and guys willing to play that way.
Akbar
Lmao
Beezle
It’s not the flu it’s a bacterial infection and we are still sick as an islander fan!
Minx, sorry to hear that! Well then rest up and get to bed early! No later than 7:30 🙂
The only team in the east that has a chance to beat the fishsticks is Boston. And unless they get some balanced scoring the trap will shut down the top line just enough to win. There is noboby out west. Anders Lee come get the Stanley cup; Puke!
Norm- just fyi
Barzal 9 goals shooting 20.5%
Belleveaullier (dont care how he actually spells it ) 8 goals 18%
Bailey 7 goals 30%
Brassard 6 goal 16%
Cmon now. Not saying they won’t finish with 100+ points this year but don’t blow off my statement as if it’s just Matt Martin…
Feel better st Pete!
I watched the caps game but didn’t comment, and it worked so?
Nap time!
Yes. The Devils, whom Colin Campbell referred to as “interchangeable parts” with the depth of system.
To be fair, Devils had Brodeur, Stevens, Neidermeyer, Rolston, Holik, Etc. (Pepe’s dad, too :). Later seasons, Parise, Kovalchuk…
Isles, outside of Barzal, do not have the same level of “brand names” than the Devils did.
Perhaps the elephant in the room isn’t necessarily Trotz, but Lamoriello….
….but then why couldn’t Lamoriello have success with the Leaves?
Janes,
Are you saying what the Islanders are doing is unsustainable?
When you’re good, you’re lucky, and vice versa.
Right now, everything is going absolutely RIGHT for the Islanders. I don’t see them sustaining this level of perfection all year.
Brodeur alot different than Varlamov/Greiss …not sold on Isles goaltending when it comes to playoffs but maybe thats area Lou addresses at deadline
Akbar
I agree re the player differences. That’s why I said system similarly.
I do think Lou is a constant in the equation.
The Toronto thing to me is pretty obvious in the kind of system/play that Lou prefers (and Babcock) clearly didn’t fit the majority of the players they had.
The issue that the young high end assets aka players aren’t really stylistically (ahem, play all zones) a fit for that system but they obviously couldn’t just move on from them so I think that’s why it didn’t work…imo.
STOP CALLING ME JANES LOL
And no, I’m just saying that they aren’t some superhuman powerhouse team that’s going to never lose a game again or break some all time record like some here seem to think. That’s all.
Wholly lots of injuries for the sens.
I want names of the people that think they are breaking records…haven’t seen anyone here seriously saying that.
Let’s wait until February and then talk about the Fishsticks again.
Wicky I’m not going to call people out- they know who they are and I respect and like those guys.
I just think anyone who is high on the Islanders right now isn’t looking at it from a rational point of view.
League doesn’t work that way. First of all it’s a long season, secondly we see teams win Presidents’es’s trophies every year and then get tossed like a rag doll from the post season for a reason. Am I right or am I right or am I right?
I think you’re going a bit overboard re today’s convo, but perhaps I missed someone (or multiple someones) in previous threads saying how amazing the isles were and that they were winning the cup.
Not going to call people out…lmao.
Ford Econoline with Lou Gerhig disease: “I’m the luckiest van on the face of the earth.”
Just FYI- Over the last three weeks, there have been regular posts about how good they are, how sickening it is to see them be this good and multiple comments about them being likely to win the Cup, not lose games again etc.
I think you might be misinterpreting the tone of my posts. I could care less about the Isles or the doom and gloomers’ points of view about them.
Speaking of sustainable, it will be interesting to see if DQ designates anyone other than Mr. Lemieux tonight to keep Mr. Tkachuk in check. He can’t do it every game if he wants to play a full season. No need to do anything but play good D unless he runs the goalie, in which case even I will come out from under the couch and shadow-box.
Hanes,
Ah, i see. My bad.
I thought because Akbar and I were having a discussion about some similarities in the isles and mid to late 90’s devils that you were referring to us.
Tough to tell when you don’t directly address those you are talking about.
Apologies
Hanes. lol
Another factor in the isles favor this year (and last year) is that they’ve been incredibly lucky with lack of injuries.
I confess I don’t know what’s going on with this Islanders obsession. They’re a good team that has been punching a little over its head, perhaps, but their success is to be admired, I would think, rather than to be thought of as an unsustainable fluke. They’re not there yet, but if they can sustain anything like this pace for a while longer, they’ll be in a position every team wants to be in, managing their roster heading into the playoffs rather than having to scrap for every point. By Jan. 13th, everything could be different, sure–but otherwise the Rangers will be looking to that date as a great test to see how far they’ve come. Annoyed they got Trotz and the Rangers got DQ…for now.
Norm if Tkachuk runs the goalie there will be a scrum and Rangers will get a penalty anyway so they should just punch him in the face so its worth it. This games in Canada so if Kreider skates within 5 feet of Sens goalie he will a get a penalty also
Norm
if you lived closer to new york you might feel differently regarding the islanders
Lots of punching and shadowboxing gong on at Norm’s pacifist man cave lately
For clarification purposes, that’s pacific with a small ‘p’.
And, speaking of small p’s…
I think they are more likely to win if they concentrate on getting Panarin the puck instead of concentrating on Tkachuk’s shenanigans.
Would agree to the extent the refs don’t put a stop to his shenanigans and let him run around doing whatever he wants
Ah, to be in Ottawa when hoary winter cracks your balls when outside, taking a leak.
Lions make leopards tame. We are in need of a lion, preferably playable.
Another factor in the isles favor this year (and last year) is that they’ve been incredibly lucky with lack of injuries.
….as of late November…
Wick I hadn’t even seen your convo (as usual) I’ll go back and look.
Norm- it’s called a rivalry. No Ranger fan will ever admire the Islanders or Devils having success nor should they.
Wouldn’t expect their fans to feel differently about it either.
I never suggested they’d plummet in the standings just pointing out that a bunch of guys have had some puck luck.
Just like Ryan Strome..
Alex, I grew up in NYC in the 60s and have suffered from Ranger fan-itis for decades. I find some teams and players to be more deplorable than others, and so while I thought Billy Smith was contemptible, for example, I never managed to get my hate on for one of the best hockey teams ever put together in the history of the league. Envy? Sure. But since then, they’ve been even worse than the mediocre franchise I support, and so I’m ambivalent about them. Also, old age and schoolteaching tends to drum the hate out of you over the years–you don’t tell kids to root for their team and not against the other if you don’t mean it. So, yeah–I root irrationally for my laundry, not against theirs. Still fun.
“As usual”
Hanes throwing shade apparently
Norm
I hate the Islanders — fans. I’m sure I’m being over-sensitive, but I never got over the 1940 chants. When I was a kid growing up, on Long Island, that chant was thrown in my face by too many people. And it was always chanted along with a little laughter.
Good for Trotz and his players, but I cannot be happy or ambivalent about the Islanders or that wretched “passionate” fanbase.