Islanders better than most people thought
- Thread starter Islanders10
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Mr Misunderstood
Loser Point User
I'm just happy that they compete in seemingly every game and are responsible (for the most part). The "fly by the seat of their pants" days are over which is refreshing for this season and exciting for the future.
I'm also very excited for them to play in the Coliseum again. The bottom six is made for that building, which should help them in a playoff hunt if they find themselves in the race.
I'm also very excited for them to play in the Coliseum again. The bottom six is made for that building, which should help them in a playoff hunt if they find themselves in the race.
maacoshark
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- Jul 22, 2017
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Hate to rain on your parade but the Islanders are playing better than the Caps right now.
They have possibly had the most difficult schedule to start the season. Most of their games have been on the road against tough competition. They also went through the west coast trip in California.
They dont have the offensive talent of some teams but they are playing well defensively.
Thrasymachus
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- Jul 1, 2018
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Towards the end I was legitimately afraid for his safety. Poor Grabo
LordNeverLose
Registered User
Those lines better be improved, considering the Ladd, Komarov, Filp, Zeke, Martin, and Clutterbuck are making a combined $20.6M this season.
Macch
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Devil Dancer
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- Jan 21, 2006
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SI90
Registered User
Towards the end I was legitimately afraid for his safety. Poor Grabo
Me too. The guy didn’t want to listen to doctors.
maacoshark
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- Jul 22, 2017
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And you specifically said they would finish behind the Caps. I'm not sure about that.
Chips
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- Aug 19, 2015
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Have you followed the NHL before this season? This is not unheard of for the Caps in any year; that they played longer than most teams this summer, and partied harder than any doesn’t even have to factor in.
The Caps have a proven, not that old, and insanely talented core and nice pieces around them. It’s not impossible for the islanders to finish ahead, but one is far more likely to be disappointed later if they really expect the Islanders to have a good chance at finishing above the Caps, based on both teams’ past history and current rosters.
Also, we are about 10 games in. Didn’t the Flyers open with 10 wins* twice? Or was it the flyers one year, and someone else the other... either way I don’t think those teams did too well by game 82 in their respective seasons.
The islanders have 1 more point, with 1 more game played...
One of the Caps bigger problems right now is their penalty kill sinking them (they always have and probably always will take more penalties), which has a new system, is missing its most used player (beagle), it’s second most used player (Wilson) and it’s fourth (Chiasson). And it’s early...
——————————————*
Anyways, slightly more on topic, I never wish well on the islanders, but for Trotz to find more success there I couldn’t help but be happy for him.
He’s definitely deserving of credit for this teams more responsible defensive play, whether it secures them a much better record long term or not. If Trotz can make the early Preds teams noteworthy, he can do good things with this Islanders team as well. I wish he’d get more credit for his Preds teams.
If I had to bet on a wild card right now, this early, I’d say the Islanders earn the first wildcard; unless another Metro team collapses due to injury or whatever. I wouldn’t be super surprised if they got the 3rd seat.
I expect them to make a fairly big splash in the trade market as well. That is, if the GM is the type to allow coaches input. Trotz was important to some key signings/trades of the Caps.
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Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
The Islanders are a very good underdog team this year it seems like. What i mean by that is when they're not the team expected to win they can use that mental edge to their advantage, play a good Trotz team defense and use their skill to score some goals on the counter and PP. They can give you the shots which makes it frustrating for other teams. Also they skate well enough to keep up. You really have to work for your high quality chances against them this year.
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Kevin27NYI
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2009
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Yeah they look good and have a ton of structure.
Lou went into the offseason and improved the team, everyone said "Tavares for Martin and Komarov LULZ" but those people didn't know the team.
Those guys were great, miss them.
Lou went into the offseason and improved the team, everyone said "Tavares for Martin and Komarov LULZ" but those people didn't know the team.
Those guys were great, miss them.
maacoshark
Registered User
- Jul 22, 2017
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Lmao I have been following the NHL since 1971 and gave been die hard Caps fan since they entered the NHL. You dont need to tell me the history of the Caps. Not sure if you have watched the Caps this year or not but they aren't really playing very well. No structure in their game. They are playing with an offence only mentality. It really only worked in one game this year. It hasn't been pretty.
Zeeker
Registered User
- Feb 15, 2016
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I wouldn’t even say Barzal started slow last year. He was playing very well and his teammates just weren’t cashing in on the opportunities he created. He really could do no wrong, he was electrifying every game.
This year I’d say he’s definitely struggled a bit, falling down and turning the puck over much more often than last year. That said, I have confidence he’ll turn it around.
Devil Dancer
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- Jan 21, 2006
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pokey10
Neat
Someone bump this thread in March for me please.
doublechili
For all intensive purposes, your nuts
- Apr 11, 2006
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I know! It's so frustrating when fans pump up their team when they haven't actually accomplished anything. I so agree with you TMLeafs17!
Chips
Registered User
- Aug 19, 2015
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10 games, dude. Just wait before putting the final nail in the coffin of a top contender.
There is nothing substantial yet to suggest the Islanders are likely to finish above the Caps.
1 less game played, and 1 less point. And a better core, more proven talent and a roster that just won this very same division, and a Stanley Cup.
For a “die hard Caps fan” you’re seriously underestimating this team... and what a time to do it!
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They are better than expected and so far had some lucky breaks as well as goalies had stolen some of the games for them.
However I do notice that most of their players are paying more attention to details, being much more physical and blocking shots more effectively. The PK definitely has improved. This team is playing with a chip on their shoulder as many fans and analysts have wrote them off early this year including myself. Definitely the new system has some effect on how they are playing but the execution is not always there. Their D group have been still somewhat inconstant with a few good games followed with the exact opposite. It could very well be the case of confidence and to some extent ability to execute well being limited due to the lack of foot speed at the back end.
Not sure how long they can stay above .500 as it all comes down to how long the team can stay focused, committed and healthy. The older vets who has been surprisingly playing well may slow down during the 2nd half. It may also come down to how much their AHL prospects can improve and ready to step in once the injury bugs hit hard.
As an Isles fan, I agree that there are just too many good teams in the Metro division so it would be very tough to make the playoff unless one of those top competitors lose their key core players for much of the season. However you may just never know. Isles may just be the 2017-2018 version of Vegas team this year.
However I do notice that most of their players are paying more attention to details, being much more physical and blocking shots more effectively. The PK definitely has improved. This team is playing with a chip on their shoulder as many fans and analysts have wrote them off early this year including myself. Definitely the new system has some effect on how they are playing but the execution is not always there. Their D group have been still somewhat inconstant with a few good games followed with the exact opposite. It could very well be the case of confidence and to some extent ability to execute well being limited due to the lack of foot speed at the back end.
Not sure how long they can stay above .500 as it all comes down to how long the team can stay focused, committed and healthy. The older vets who has been surprisingly playing well may slow down during the 2nd half. It may also come down to how much their AHL prospects can improve and ready to step in once the injury bugs hit hard.
As an Isles fan, I agree that there are just too many good teams in the Metro division so it would be very tough to make the playoff unless one of those top competitors lose their key core players for much of the season. However you may just never know. Isles may just be the 2017-2018 version of Vegas team this year.
MikeyMike01
U.S.S. Wang
maacoshark
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- Jul 22, 2017
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maacoshark
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I dont care for the style of game they are playing right now. They aren't playing a very responsible game. Hopefully that changes.
Conspiracy Theorist
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