GDT: GDT #58 New York Islanders @ Dallas Stars | February 26th | 8 PM | F/3-2 OTW

[Throttle]

Enlighten us on what you would like fans of the team and player to do after that ending. Every post of yours just comes off in such a know-it-all tone (even though I do agree with some).

Certainly, be happy for it. No different than the last OT vs Dallas. What did he do on the PP in a tie game with 6 mins to go?

He makes very nice plays at times, but it’s all the other little things that he’s weak at that are masked bc he makes a very nice play that gets everyone all hopes up again. Roy even hinted at it saying some of these guys have mental lapses that are causing their problems- he’s definitely one of them.

If he played in a Canadian market it would be discussed a lot more, but he doesn’t, so he’s lucky in that sense.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Good win against a top team on the road. If it wasn't a slam dunk already, Lou is a buyer for sure.

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

Oh what a horrible player that Mat Barzal is. He is the problem with this team. lmao

 

[seafoam]

Good win against a top team on the road. If it wasn't a slam dunk already, Lou is a buyer for sure.

It would feel better if they collected points at home that should be a “slam dunk”.

 

[BrockLobster]

The Fan Club is all hoped up again. Too funny.

Oh geez...

 

[BelovedIsles]

100% the strength and desire in the board battle to maintain possession. That was key. Will to win. Those are the plays you want guys making. It’s easy to hustle when you see an empty net and you’re trying to score but when the puck is along the boards and you’re fighting with guys, that’s the hard part of hockey but eventually you get possession and it pays and you get a goal.

Absolutely. That's why I love playoff hockey; it's full of those 50-50's, with maximum intensity. Whenever Barzal gets there again, I suspect he will raise his game; much like he did during the ECF runs.

 

[Potvottier]

A solid game by everyone. We still make too many soft passes for my liking, but I do feel like we are playing more aggressive, which I like. Sorokin looked great. Roy was Mixing up the lines a bit which I liked. I think most teams do that on the road to avoid line matching, but I like the line combos that Roy put out there.

Horvat is awesome. the shooter we needed. when he and Barzal are on, it is beautiful. i think he is my favorite Isle.

Barzal is in a different world sometimes, and a give-away machine on others. concurrently cringy and amazing. i hateitloveit.
The team was playing with more energy, and was working hard and battling.
this is the last year they are together, and i hope they realize that they can play with the big boys, and make a good run.

LGI!!

 

[beach]

Everyone wants a tear down rebuild until it happens and team sucks for three years.

The team sucks now. Last night was a nice win, but let's not delude ourselves. This team is a fringe playoff team that will likely not make it this year. They're moving in the wrong direction and a rebuild is in order. Keep the 5 guys that make up the core and trade everyone else for whatever picks can be had.

 

[PhysicalGraffiti]

Absolute animal Barzal was the end of the 3rd and OT. Dude had to have been gassed and was just out there making play after play, eventually making the play to get us the win.

Love to see it.

I'm not even thinking about the playoffs, just enjoying a nice OT win, which are far too rare.

 

[Strummergas]

The team sucks now. Last night was a nice win, but let's not delude ourselves. This team is a fringe playoff team that will likely not make it this year. They're moving in the wrong direction and a rebuild is in order. Keep the 5 guys that make up the core and trade everyone else for whatever picks can be had.

Did someone say otherwise? I think everyone was just appreciating a solid effort...for a change.

 

[beach]

Did someone say otherwise? I think everyone was just appreciating a solid effort...for a change.

The game was great and Barzy's effort incredible. But I see it over and over on this board. If we win the next one, there will be postings galore stating "we just need a tweak, no rebuild necessary". "We'll suck for three years or more if we rebuild".

 

[The Real JT]

The game was great and Barzy's effort incredible. But I see it over and over on this board. If we win the next one, there will be postings galore stating "we just need a tweak, no rebuild necessary". "We'll suck for three years or more if we rebuild".

I’m with you. Glad they won and more importantly the OT effort and elite play by Barzal.

If Lou has any plans to retool around the TDL, I only hope that last night’s game did not give him pause to think that this team warrants one more run by acquiring talent at the TDL.

 

[warrior60]

If the NHL would change their format to 3 on 3…pond hockey Barzal would be an elite player in this league.

 

[Strummergas]

The game was great and Barzy's effort incredible. But I see it over and over on this board. If we win the next one, there will be postings galore stating "we just need a tweak, no rebuild necessary". "We'll suck for three years or more if we rebuild".

I think that's been an ongoing debate for years now. I don't think that a few decent games are going move the needle for opinions on how this team should proceed.

 

[saintunspecified]

That was a fun finish to the game. It was almost like his time in the ASG gave Barzal additional confidence that his skating is transcendent.

Very early Barzal was reminiscent of very early Yzerman (without the finish)... But these days he's looking a bit more like Federov. It's like he can skate effortlessly as well as everyone else giving their best effort, but then ramp it up after being on the ice for 50 seconds. If he has to play center for a year while NYI retool on the wing, it would be fine.

 

[The Real JT]

That was a fun finish to the game. It was almost like his time in the ASG gave Barzal additional confidence that his skating is transcendent.

Very early Barzal was reminiscent of very early Yzerman (without the finish)... But these days he's looking a bit more like Federov. It's like he can skate effortlessly as well as everyone else giving their best effort, but then ramp it up after being on the ice for 50 seconds. If he has to play center for a year while NYI retool on the wing, it would be fine.

Completely agree and I’ll add something more obvious.

He’s never had a linemate with the skill of Horvat. Chemistry takes time to develop and as good as they looked last year, they’ve taken the next step.

Truth be told, they’ve also never had a LW to complement their skill. If somehow the Isles can acquire one, this could be the best Isles first line we’ve seen since the dynasty years.

How’s that for hyperbole?

 

[saintunspecified]

How’s that for hyperbole?

I'd be pretty stoked if they reached Kinger-Sneaky-Stumpy level. Hogue-Ferraro-Flatley also has a special place in my heart. (Hogue would win every race by a nose.) But those lines were short lived.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Completely agree and I’ll add something more obvious.

He’s never had a linemate with the skill of Horvat. Chemistry takes time to develop and as good as they looked last year, they’ve taken the next step.

Truth be told, they’ve also never had a LW to complement their skill. If somehow the Isles can acquire one, this could be the best Isles first line we’ve seen since the dynasty years.

How’s that for hyperbole?

The BoZal chemistry stands out to me on this play, that unfortunately didn't wind up in a goal.

Barzal isn't even looking at Bo, yet he splits the middle without hesitation and Bo hits him perfectly with a mid-air sauce spot feed.

 

[lazycop]

For every one of those Barzal OT shifts like last night there's inevitably one where he stays on the ice too long and costs us a win. But for today he's Saint Matt I guess.

 

[saintunspecified]

The BoZal chemistry stands out to me on this play, that unfortunately didn't wind up in a goal.

Barzal isn't even looking at Bo, yet he splits the middle without hesitation and Bo hits him perfectly with a mid-air sauce spot feed.

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I just love it when Barzal does that. It's unstoppable. Either he's going to get the pass, or Horvat has an shot (because the strong side defender covers the lane instead of Horvat).. Sure it might miss because of a lack of execution (or an unbelievable save), but the D can't take it away.

 

[MJF]

That was a fun finish to the game. It was almost like his time in the ASG gave Barzal additional confidence that his skating is transcendent.

Very early Barzal was reminiscent of very early Yzerman (without the finish)... But these days he's looking a bit more like Federov. It's like he can skate effortlessly as well as everyone else giving their best effort, but then ramp it up after being on the ice for 50 seconds. If he has to play center for a year while NYI retool on the wing, it would be fine.

Lou will have to retool the other 3 lines.

 

[saintunspecified]

Lou will have to retool the other 3 lines.

Shed salary, make openings to be opportunistic because you can't plan chances to acquire impact players (as opposed to prospects), and do what can be done - retool the bottom 6. My point is that it doesn't matter to me whether during that time Horvat and Barzal are on one line or split up - one can't pull top 6 forwards out of hats.

 

[Throttle]

The game was great and Barzy's effort incredible. But I see it over and over on this board. If we win the next one, there will be postings galore stating "we just need a tweak, no rebuild necessary". "We'll suck for three years or more if we rebuild".

Probably because the players can’t consistently deliver game over game.

 

[Konk]

Completely agree and I’ll add something more obvious.

He’s never had a linemate with the skill of Horvat. Chemistry takes time to develop and as good as they looked last year, they’ve taken the next step.

Truth be told, they’ve also never had a LW to complement their skill. If somehow the Isles can acquire one, this could be the best Isles first line we’ve seen since the dynasty years.

How’s that for hyperbole?

Marchessault played for Roy in the Q and is a FA this summer...

 

[saintunspecified]

Marchessault played for Roy in the Q and is a FA this summer...

I love Marchessault. Unbelievable heart, smart, great hands. And a 35+ contract for him is not something I would contemplate.