It's sort of funny: The Isles were really on a roll despite our depleted lineup. It seemed by getting Fasching more playing time and injecting Durandeau's speed into the lineup it really gave them a shot in the arm. As Pageau and Clutterbuck started practicing more, I actually started kinda hoping they'd take a bit more time, since I worried that their return might actually kill some of the chemistry we were suddenly seeing. I know folks were happy with Clutter's energy in his first game back, but he really has no puck skills whatsoever at this point. As crazy as it may sound, I'd rather have Fasching on that line and Durandeau in the lineup, since he actually creates opportunities with speed and puck instinct.
The biggest problem for the Isles against teams like Los Angeles is that our 'skilled players' lack either the grit or speed to retrieve a dump in. When teams clog us in the neutral zone and at the blue line forcing dumps, we simply can't get to the puck in time to create offense. Guys like Lee, Bailey, and Palmieri are not good puck retrievers yet play with our two best goal scorers. This means Horvat and Nelson are getting far less opportunities and puck possession in games like this. Unquestionably this is where we miss Barzal the most.

**Additional: While Aho has improved offensively with the puck, he's still God-awful defensively. A minus two last night, he had a lot to do with two of those goals
- keaner17

Cal is pretty much done. I'd rather have Durandeau playing.

I do not see Aho being a long-term answer. I see Bolduc being a possible answer.

I hope the Islander make the playoffs. No doubt the team needs a lot of work in the offseason.

Caps tie the Sabres with 1min left on a goal by Tom Wilson. We've got a whole Lotta Murphy's Law working against us

Caps tie the Sabres with 1min left on a goal by Tom Wilson. We've got a whole Lotta Murphy's Law working against us
- keaner17

By losing two games in a row in regulation, the Isles no longer control their destiny. They need to win AND get help from the teams trailing them with games in hand.

http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html

Sorokin starting, Bailey a healthy scratch.

Sorokin starting, Baukey a healthy scratch.
- keaner17

Is Baukey another name for 12Chainz?

Edit: I see you "fixed" it. I kind of liked Baukey.

Is Baukey another name for 12Chainz?

Edit: I see you "fixed" it. I kind of liked Baukey.
- JohnScammo

Lol, I'm awful with my texting on this phone and am good for about two edits per post

By losing two games in a row in regulation, the Isles no longer control their destiny. They need to win AND get help from the teams trailing them with games in hand.

http://www.playoffstatus....nhl/easternstandings.html
- JohnScammo

Sounds like tonight is kind of a must win.

Caps tie the Sabres with 1min left on a goal by Tom Wilson. We've got a whole Lotta Murphy's Law working against us
- keaner17

Caps won in a shoot out. They're not dead in the water yet.

#Isles    Ilya Sorokin (23-19-6, 2.38 GAA, .925 save pct.) and #Ducks John Gibson (14-24-8, 3.85, .903) lead the teams onto the ice for warmups here in Anaheim

THREE POINT EIGHT FIVE ....

Sounds like tonight is kind of a must win.
- streaks

I think so. A regulation loss against the Ducks probably demoralizes the team in addition to everything else.

Lol, I'm awful with my texting on this phone and am good for about two edits per post
- keaner17

I'm horrible on the phone. LOL. So I just use a laptop most of the time.

#Isles    Ilya Sorokin (23-19-6, 2.38 GAA, .925 save pct.) and #Ducks John Gibson (14-24-8, 3.85, .903) lead the teams onto the ice for warmups here in Anaheim

THREE POINT EIGHT FIVE ....
- keaner17

I'm really surprised Sorokin is going 2 nights in a row. Why is Lou hanging onto a $5 million back up goalie if he can't be trusted in this situation?

I'm horrible on the phone. LOL. So I just use a laptop most of the time.
- JohnScammo

I'm on a laptop all day long, so I prefer to just use the phone. That said, my rapidly deteriorating eyesight makes proofreading as much of a liability as my initial messaging.

I'm really surprised Sorokin is going 2 nights in a row. Why is Lou hanging onto a $5 million back up goalie if he can't be trusted in this situation?
- JohnScammo

And again, why didn't the pull Ilya after goal number four last night?
Perhaps this is an indicator of how crucial they see this game after a couple of losses

WTF was Horvat doing there?

Oh boy.

How is that guy uncovered in the slot?????

I'm really surprised Sorokin is going 2 nights in a row. Why is Lou hanging onto a $5 million back up goalie if he can't be trusted in this situation?
- JohnScammo

It's a good question John.

The sound on Directv is a mile ahead of the video

The sound on Directv is a mile ahead of the video
- keaner17

Same on my spectrum cable.

Same on my spectrum cable.
- streaks

Optimum MSG seems to be fine, but I am slightly behind on DVR delay.

Same on my spectrum cable.
- streaks

When Anaheim hit the post earlier, I heard it before the guy even wound up

When Anaheim hit the post earlier, I heard it before the guy even would up
- keaner17

Haha I was wondering why the ref was blowing the whistle before an icing and with a loose puck on Gibson. Then I realized the sound was off.

There we go. palms

Palms!