Thank you 2020 New York Islanders!

[Rehabguy]

As they say it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. I'm extremely happy and proud of how our boys played. They put it all on the line, ran through walls for their teammates, got battered and bruised (Nelson expecially) but never backed down. Essentially they did everything I wanted them to do to put the Islanders back on the map and make them relevant again. Actually winning the cup would just be gravy for me. They couldn't have played the game any better whether they were in the Cup finals or not. Playing the way they did they could have easily have won the Cup it all just came down to a few bad breaks. It happens. But they did not collapse and they made us proud every shift.

So when the other team scored I didn't even feel upset or angry. Someone had to lose. Every Lightning player knows that the series came down to who would have that break. You could see it at the handshake line how much respect they were showing the Islanders after this hard fought series. I like the way both teams played. Now I'm rooting for Tampa Bay to go all the way as they also happen to be my hometown team, but the Islanders have nothing to be down about. It was a great series!

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[bigtim1988]

That’s all well and good, too bad our next ECF appearance will be in 2047

It stings seeing them lose, after making it so far, but sometimes it takes a lot of years/playoff disappointments before finally winning the cup.

maybe it’s incremental; last year we got to the 2nd round, this year 3rd round, SCF next year? Either way, our Mickey Mouse days are behind us—at least that’s what it seems

 

[Rehabguy]

An Islander team made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. When was the last time we heard that happen? They done good. Real good.

 

[IslesNorway]

I could really get used to seasons like this

 

[Big L]

Was a good season, and provided hours of entertainment the last 2 months. For that, I thank you.



otherwise, f*** Tampa. f*** them 1000%. Go Dallas

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

N0t only did an Islander team make the ECF , they nearly forced a game 7 (without Cizikas and Pelech) vs an offensive juggernaut and cup favorite that has a Norris Winner, Vezina Winner and Hart Winner in the lineup.

Even though they came up a little short, they've earned respect around the league and they've given us a reason to believe. Slumps are inevitable, but they have earned the benefit of the doubt from us. As long as this group is in tact, we shouldn't be seeing or saying things like "f*** this team" during the regular season when they will look bad at times. They've proven they will compete when it matters.

Sad to see the run come to an end but this is just a preview of what's to come. With all the concern about the cap, we need to trust our HOF GM that he will make the necessary adjustments. We are getting injections of bluechip talent in net and on the Blueline with Dobson and Sorokin, strengthening an area where we are already strong.

Let's hope Barzal is able to mature his game and take the leap like Beauvillier did. Beau really improved from 18-19 to this season and particularly in the playoffs. If we can see similar growth from Barzal, we'll be in a very good position to compete for the next few years.

 

[Poulin 0n My St1ck]

Amen. So proud of this team and, moreover, this organization for essentially the first time in my life. Valiant effort by the boys.

THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO THOMAS GREISS. He was the winning goaltender for, IMO, the two most important games this franchise has played in 27 years (sad): 1. The Game 6 win over Florida 4 years ago to break our playoff series victory drought and 2. The Game 7 win against Philadelphia to take us to the ECF.

 

[The Lighthouse]

This team loves the intensity of the playoffs. They're in it for each other. 10 years ago, about midway through November 2019, they started to not look too great, which lasted until March - if we add some scoring I think that would help even out those season long mediocre to rough patches.

 

[SI90]

Proud of these guys. We made it so close and it was definitely a fun ride! Guys showed nothing but heart and character.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Yeah, strange day today. Not what you would expect after a game 6 loss in OT. Had it ended on the 4 mins PIM maybe it would be a downer, but today, I am happy, thankful, and looking fwd to what this team does in the future. Funny, I have never been so happy after being ousted in the playoffs. The boys did the Isles logo PROUD. They got some valuable battle marks this year, this will make the team better for future runs. Don't get me wrong, we should not think it is easy to get to the final 4, or 6 wins from the cup yearly, but there is definite progress. The Isles have Identity again. That makes me feel very content today.

 

[BMOK33]

We will get a sense in the next week of what could have been but if Dallas either gives Tampa a run or wins the series we can probably safely say minus Pelech and Cizikas we would have had no shot

 

[Jtown]

Well boys sorry I jinxed the first two games. That is all on me. However I would be a bit disappointed had the lightning not won. The way you guys dominated the flyers , is the way the lightning dominated that series. That team is just loaded and should win the cup easily. Either way hell of a year for the islanders, and what makes it sweeter is knowing Johnny Tavares will never make it to a conference finals. I enjoy the way you guys played all year and look forward to seeing what you guys do in the future. Oh and before i forget f*** the Pens.

 

[majormet]

The Isles exceeded expectations this time around, not sure the last time they did that but if I use my 500 days of Summer analogy of reality vs expectation it would be in reverse

Let's imagine a 9/10 scenario, with video

Expectation screen shot would show - Jordan Eberle playing an acoustic version of Jeremy on the guitar, Adam Pelech getting a wrist injury a week earlier on pornhub, Brock Nelson in a room with 6 or 7 bongs in full operation, Andy Greene at an Olive Garden getting a senior citizen discount, Mat Barzal playing Mortal Kombat with Dennis Seidenberg's Kids, Josh Bailey doing some plyometrics with chains, MDC struggling to walk a mile on MacArthur High School's track, Ross Johnston eating a raw piece t Bone steak

Reality screen would be: JG Pageau scoring an empty net goaling and punching Kucherov afterwards, Matt Martin beating up Goodrow, Brock Nelson scoring key goals, Adam Pelech scoring a goal, Matt Martin making perfect passes, Cal Clutterbuck punishing Sergerov, Varlamov doing a game winning belly slide. Anders Lee increasing his speed by double to set up a winning goal, all the NBCSN praising the Islanders like they are a great team

That is what this year was like

 

[Lek]

Everyone involved with this organization should be massively proud of what has been accomplished here.....not just in these playoffs, but the last two years. The amount of work and commitment shown by everyone involved has brought this team and this organization back to its proper standing.

It is always disappointing when something ends....but in our hearts, we fans know that this is just the beginning!!!

To each and every player.....to the coaching & support staff ......to management, our owners and the players families......

Thank You!!!.....for your unwavering effort and commitment to our NY Islanders.

 

[2ndGenIslander]

As an Isles fan who started going to games regularly in about 1998 when i was 10 years old, I have to say i was looking forward to the day of seeing them compete in the ECF for a long time. Obviously my ultimate dream was seeing them be in the finals and win a cup, but i'm extremely pleased with the job the organization has done,starting with Ledecky. The man truly gives a shit about this team. During the garth snow days, he was willing to listen to us fans about what we'd like to see get done, and what the troubles plaguing the organization truly were. He not only listened, but acted. He brought in Lou, he brought in Trotz, and he was able to bring us to a level that we haven't seen in 27 years.

These players are an extremely tight group of guys who really battle it out every day for one another, and i'm proud of the progress they've made as a team.

For the first time in my life, i'm truly excited to be a fan of this team and cant wait to see what the next few years hold.

thank you all

 

[mm11]

Very proud of the effort. Team played for the Orange blue and White. Can't wait to see what is next. Belmont is going to be a blast

 

[xECK29x]

Welcome home boys. Proud of what the team accomplished this year

 

[xECK29x]

 

[Kasparaitis]

Great job in these playoffs. Beating the number 1 and 3 seeds is nothing to sneeze at. Losing to the #2 seed in 6 games with two OT games is pretty impressive, too.

 

[Islander Class]

Would agree with all that was said... Would only add that I think they are tremendous role models. Sincerely mean that- even though they are highly compensated athletes that should put out max effort, etc. There’s a lot to be learned in career and life IMHO from how these Islanders tuned out the negativity since 7/1/18- and worked so hard for their organization- and for each other. They’ve earned all they’ve gotten.

Keep grinding!

 

[LeapOnOver]

Well, recovering from a heartbreaking defeat. Finally got out of bed today (JK). My brother is devastated, but he's not as diehard of a fan as I am and he's also younger, so he literally has seen no success. I reminded him that this team, made of average talent players, just came with in two wins of making the Stanley Cup finals. TWO WINS! That's mind-blowing to me. Yes, I could sit here and lament what could have been, but this wasn't a Cinderella run. Trotz isn't going anywhere....LL is still alive and there is a new arena on the way. There's not much to be upset about other than not getting past Tampa. Pretty happy and proud of what transpired.

 

[blinkman360]

Agreed. Even watching them in the handshake line, the heartbreak kind of turned to just feeling proud of them. They've really grown as a group these past two years. Even to get completely outclassed by Tampa yet still come within a breakaway save in OT of taking it to 7 games was incredible.

There is still some work to be done. Find a way to get a top winger; lock up the core - specifically Barzal; see what Sorokin is capable of; perhaps bring in someone else to fix this PP. Either way the pieces are there - we're deep down the middle, we have some studs on D; our HC and GM actually know what they're doing; and hopefully, finally, we might have our franchise goaltender.

I know there's a lot of talk about the cap situation and about how we might have to make some tough decisions, but I'm still excited to see what this team can accomplish going forward.

 

[Costigan77]

It's taken a few days for me to log on here....

The look on Barzal's face.....I hope this kid keeps pushing. He looked like he was about to burst into tears. I truly hope Bellows and/or Wahlstrom watched this...and see what they can contribute. One more scorer....one more, and it may have been different.

It was great. A huge distraction. A great way to spend some family time.

There is a window.....and it will close.....but the next 2-3 years can be fun

LFGI




******Please stop with the Ho-Sang threads.....this dude would not have survived in this playoff grind. Let's all say goodbye and put our focus on this team.