It was game 1667 played at the Igloo by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and their final one. Of course, the Islanders had to be their opponents. I had a really bad feeling about that game long before last night, and with the 50 former Penguin players present and the ceremonies ahead of the game to pump up the current Penguins, it became a game the visitors probably will want to forget.
When all was said and done, the Isles lost 7-3. Marty Biron did not look sharp at all and gave up 4 goals in the first period before [...]

The folks of the Quebecois persuasion know how to get the tickets to the Islander games, that’s for sure.
There were hundreds upon hundreds of  Bleu, Blanc and Rouge at the Coli last night, and you would think if you were just listening, that you were in Centre Bell.
However, it was an Islander home game.
Despite being down a couple of times in the 3rd period, the Isles responded, and ultimately got the second point from the skills competition, sending the Habs fans home unhappy.
This team, even with them being out of the playoff dance, are playing their hearts out, and are [...]

Great effort all around today.
Was quite impressed by the play of Dylan Reese.  His first few games into his NHL career, he looked like the game was playing him, as opposed to him playing the game.
Then it seemed that a light bulb turned on, like a Harvard student on an all-nighter.
Oh wait a minute – Reese is a Harvard grad.  That explains it.
As each game goes, he has seemed to have a more sound positional game, and knows when to pinch, as well as when to take the chance.  His efforts resulted in his second NHL goal today, in the [...]

Well, the Islanders ended their 15 game losing streak to the Philadelphia Flyers last night with their 6 to 4 win. Although the Flyers made it interesting with a couple of late goals, the score does not reflect the fact that the Isles played a very solid, dominant game overall. In fact, I must personally confess that I’m impressed, as I half-expected it to be a Lot tougher with the Flyers fighting to stay in the playoff picture. I thought the Broad Street Bullies would come out with a lot more fire and push around the smaller [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]