I usually do not like to assign  blame for a loss.  If you win – it is a team win – if you lose – it’s a team loss.
However, I think that the powers that be need to recognize when a change to the momentum or kismet needs to be done.  This was not accomplished last night.
Scott Gordon, in my opinion, NEEDED to take a time out and calm down the troops after the Rangers got their second goal.  After an outstanding first period where just about every aspect of their game was flawless, the Islanders went back on their [...]

So, tonight is the final meeting between the Islanders and Rangers of the 2009-2010 season. At this point, with Boston and Atlanta both having lost last night, this is a very big game for the Rangers if they want to stay in contention for the 8th and final playoff spot. As much as it might be considered a more “slim” chance for the Islanders, a win for them would put them 6 points back of that position in the Eastern Conference Standings. So, in effect, this final match up does have more [...]

It took overtime, but the Isles beat the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second time this season 4-3 on a Josh Bailey goal. The Islanders also got goals from Kyle Okposo, Sean Bergenheim and John Sim, and blew a 2-0 first period lead when Columbus got one back in the second and 2 in the third to take a brief lead. John Sim ended up tying the game to send the contest to the extra period.
For Dwaine Roloson, it was his 23rd win in net, and he [...]

Eric Nystrom, current Calgary Flame and son of Islanders’ legend, Bobby Nystrom, played on Colosseum ice for the first time in his career. His Flames were in a desperate need of 2 points, as they are chasing the Detroit Redwings for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. I really expected to see a Brent Sutter team come out fired up and giving us the kind of trouble the Rangers did the previous night. However, that was not the case.
The islanders trailed after 2 with Trent Hunter scoring his 10th goal of the season [...]

It is pointless to even recap or talk about last night’s loss to the Rangers. Few Isles decided to show up to play, and Dwaine Roloson surely deserved a much better fate. At this point in the season, regardless of of the standings, one would have expected the Islanders to play with far more passion and desperation. Giving up 14 shots in the first ten minutes of the game clearly indicated which team wanted it more, and it didn’t get any better for the blue and orange afterwards.
So, here I [...]

This is purely a personal opinion based post, but I have found it disturbing that the discussion over whether the Islanders should “tank” the rest of the season in favor of a top 5 pick or should they play out the remainder of the season to attempt to make the playoffs or, at least, give it their best shot, is even taking place. I’ve heard it called, “playing for pride, verses playing for the draft”, but, to me, it is more than that.
The reality is, yes, the New York Islanders are rebuilding, and those of us in Islanders country [...]

Well, on top of blowing a 4-2 lead to the Ducks and losing an extra point, the Isles could not muster a single goal last night against the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and company blanked the Isles 1-0 on a first period goal by Brad Richardson.
I was not home for the game and it was another of those late, west coast games anyway. On top of that, I actually stayed up to listen to the entire game on Friday only to go to bed disappointed, so I don’t know if I would have been able to get [...]

Unfortunately, another two goal lead heading into period 3 was squished, and OT really hurt a lot.

I was quite excited with the first two periods of the game. JT has continued his strong play, and is looking more and more like a seasoned vet, rather than a lost rookie.  Not just the offensive contribution, but the overall game.  The defensive forechecking, hitting, and making plays for his teammates.  It may have been a little longer of a wait, but I think this is what Islander country were really looking for when he first put on an Islander uniform aout 9 months [...]