I purposefully stayed out of the PGT. Amazing how many lurkers come out of the woodworks to pounce and kick while the team is low but are nowhere to be found when we win. Losses and cup win celebration threads are about the only places you find some of these special characters. It's pathetic.
It's 2-2. This is a close series. We (and by "we" I mean anyone with an ounce of objectivity) knew this would be a tough series. The Islanders are a tough team that's well coached. Anyone who thought this would be a cake-walk series is arrogant beyond help. But let's think about a few things considering it's 2-2:
1. Jarry hasn't been great. He cost us Game 1. He played well in 2 and 3 (ish). Game 4, when the game was winnable, several were lucky goals. Legit lucky goals. The first he got pushed by Letang's guy, the next was a ping-pong bounce off Ceci, and the third was error by Bleuger. Objectively speaking, these are lucky bounce goals for the Islanders. These are not clean goals that demonstrate a clearly superior level of play by the Islanders over us or Jarry. Isles will not get these every game. Normally, a team is lucky to get 1 or 2 a series. They got three in a game. The 4th, he got beat but at that point, whatever.
2. Most of the forwards have been no-shows but I don't think that will last forever. I think Jake is playing hurt a bit. He took some lumps in Game 1 and 2 and I don't think he's 100%. Rust has been cold but, again, I doubt it lasts forever. Kapanen and Zucker have been cold too. I just don't think this lasts. It can't. It may take gutting out a series with other depth scoring and getting into a new series but I expect them to produce more. They certainly can't produce less.
Here, you do have to give the Isles credit as they've been able to keep our wings on the perimeter and clog up the middle. Our instance to over pass to make the pretty play is our Achilles heal and the Isles know how to pounce on that. There's a reason why Carter's line has done well - they are at least willing to make the some simple plays and take shots. Other lines, if capable, not so much.
If they are going to get back into the series, they need to outskate, outwork, and outshoot the Isles. Frustrating part is, they are absolutely capable of doing that night in and night out. They just don't.
3. Little production from the backend. This was bread and butter for us. I think it will come back. It can't get any worse.
We are 2-2 with a myriad of issues. We are 2-2 because we played meh. Isles are 2-2 because they've played great in the two games they've won. Both teams at their best, we win clearly. We just need to get to our best. There's another level we can get to.
Now it's a best of 3. Relax everyone. We can still do this.
I do think I would alter the lines a bit:
Jake-Sid-Rust (not sure what else to do)
McCann-Carter-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Gaudreau
BART
Gives more offense to Carter and we can shelter Geno's line a bit more. GOAT can take center responsibilities if need be. I would also spot Sid with BART as well. See if Tanev can create from room with his speed.
