The skates did not seem to be wearing out; the effort just seemed to be less for me than it was in the prior two periods. Losing the battles in the corners, not making solid passes – the team just did not seem to be there in the third stanza.
The power play in a word, anemic!
10 of the last 17 times that the Isles have been on the kill, the opponent has scored. That is a lousy statistic.
Kudos to Thompson for getting his first, and Hunter for getting off the schneid. There are guys that are playing hard, and guys that seem as lost as a 4 year old in Macy’s. A ‘back to basics’ practice needs to be put on these boys.
As Andy Sutton said to the media last night, ‘…negativity breeds negativity.’
This game to me was a litmus test on how this team has progressed in its maturity and development. It is a step back.
This team also needs its captain. I know that he is rehabbing – but they really need Weight during this process. I am sure that he is with the guys, as well as being supportive and such. But this team, more than any I know, really needs a guy to take the reins, and motivate the players. I know that Dougie is that guy. Hopefully, that will be a new year’s present for us.
Onto Columbus Toronto tomorrow. Have a hockey day everyone!
Gary Harding
FanSided
Sports Radio NY
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Yes, another "partial" effort. Two pretty good periods, but then mailing it in in the third. Either we completely out play the opposition, but lose to hard luck, or we have these 20 plus minute lapses that cost us games.
I think that the consistent effort is the first of 3 overall problems. G touched on the other 2 as well. The power play needs to get its act together and the penalty kill HAS to keep the opposing team off the scoreboard.
In regards to the PP, let's go back to basics. Shots on net, crash the net and take out the trash. The Isles seem to pass far too much and are looking for the "perfect play". For example, in having caught many Black Hawks games, they have a pretty basic philosophy that has their d-men fire the puck every chance they can and the forwards collapsing on the net to bury rebounds. Hunter and Moulson have done the dirty work quite well, around the blue paint and we need to concentrate on doing Much more of that.
As for the PK, the aggressive style earlier in the season is missing. Indeed, 10 out of their last 17 is unacceptable. We are fortunate that we still are not "out of it" in the standings, but the specialty teams HAVE to start coming up big every night.
As for Kyle Okposo and JT, as young players, I think that they will come around in time. Kyle still gets his chances and works hard every shift. John is still a "rookie" and he will have stretches like this where the points do not come so easily. Other guys, though, need to step up and contribute as well.
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