I still don't understand how any Islander fan could hate DiPietro... The guy bled Orange and Blue his entire career and was an All-Star goalie before he got derailed by injuries. Now I know he could barely hang as a starter in the Tier-2 German league but come on guys give him a break...
I'm hoping for an Isles win but I can see a high scoring game that the Bruins win by a couple.
Having a hard time seeing them getting a win tonight especially with Rick in net. It's a good thing he is starting away from the Coli because if he started at home the boos wouldn't stop
Not sure why Reasoner is getting more time then Aucoin. Clearly they feel Reasoner has a roll, but think of it like this —*his days here are numbered. There are 2 centers coming, and Ullstrom, Bailey, Cizikas, and Aucoin all can play center. (I know Ullstrom is listed as a LW and Bailey has moved to the wing) Next season you have Nelson most likely joining the team, along with possibly Strome. It is a little two soon for me to say Aucoin is the be-all-end-all. He has started great, but there is a reason he has not been able to stick. Now that could change with chemistry with his linemates, etc, and if he can put this season together, where he produces, he would be a very nice 4th line center behind Neilsen as the #3, and one of Strome/Nelson at #2 and of course JT at #1. (That is a nice looking middle of the ices btw.)
I don't believe for a moment that DiPietro is anything more than the backup this season. Even if (and it is a HUGE if) RLR has a strong game tonight, and again the next game, or when ever he plays, I believe there is a clear understanding of what his body can and cannot do and that the rigors of being a starter on a tight schedule will likely force him to space out his starts to no more than 1 a week at most or on back-to-back nights. I think Nabby is the starter unless he goes down with an injury. And if he does, I think Poulin/Nillsson get to be at least 50-50 in games. DiPi is done as a #1 and the Isles know it.
Phaneuf is a total punk. He wont fight. He is the "p" word personified. The hit was not clean. It was not a suspendible offense in my mind, but it was a 2 minute boarding penalty for sure just as Butchie called it. JT did take a look over the shoulder just before, and knew someone was their, but his back was turned and he was in a vulnerable spot, and Phaneuf did not hold up. Classic penalty that was not called because its the Islanders, and because its the Leafs and there is bias both ways. I was pleased that Carkner wasted no time. I would add — I hope Carkner and Martin's memory is long for the next game.
My own thoughts for tonight — look for fatigue. Not sure how many of these guys are really in "game shape" and how many will run out of steam against a bruising bruins squad. We will have our hands full for sure tonight.
Some great points. And when you mention all of the players yet to join the team, like Nelson and Strome, and players injured/suspended in Bailey and Visnovsky I feel like the Islanders have more depth then they are given credit for. Few have proven themselves yet, but it's a nice young and energetic group that I feel very excited about.
The Tavares hit was overblown by some, and completely disregarded by others, but I think it's ashame that the very league that claims they are trying to protect players from head injuries would not call that boarding - it could have been a lot worse. Luckily, Tavares was fine and we scored as a result of the non-call.
Yesterday was Toronto's second game in as many nights and you could see the fatigue as the game went on. I would like to think that this will not happen to the Islanders tonight. They are coming off a confidence-boosting come from behind win, they are a young team, and it is still very early in the season. Not much reason for them to be fatigued, but you never know with the Islanders.
And, I hope that DP doesn't get injured tonight, especially for his sake.
I was pretty optimistic last night, even when the Isles were down 3-1, but the Bruins are on a completely different level physically and I expect the Isles to get thrown around. It doesn't help that DiPi is in net.
Has it been confirmed that Ricky is in tonight or are we all just speculating?
Line-up hasn't been set yet, but DiPietro will start in goal for the Islanders. Martinek, Nabokov, Finley, Strait, Hickey, McDonald, Boutlon and Cizikas skated this morning at the TD Garden.
Line-up hasn't been set yet, but DiPietro will start in goal for the Islanders. Martinek, Nabokov, Finley, Strait, Hickey, McDonald, Boutlon and Cizikas skated this morning at the TD Garden.
Line-up hasn't been set yet, but DiPietro will start in goal for the Islanders. Martinek, Nabokov, Finley, Strait, Hickey, McDonald, Boutlon and Cizikas skated this morning at the TD Garden.
I think Rick will be ready for this one. He usually breaks down after several games in a row. I also expect him to play conservatively because he knows everyone is watching him intently.
The ONLY way Rick doesn't give up 4 or more goals tonight is if they hit him in the crest every shot.
I'm calling it 4 goals against......let's see if we can score 5 if we catch them napping.
I hope we didn't leave it all on the ice last night. Hope we come out with a jump in our step as opposed to last night. We will have a chance if we can grab a quick goal or two.
I still don't understand how any Islander fan could hate DiPietro... The guy bled Orange and Blue his entire career and was an All-Star goalie before he got derailed by injuries. Now I know he could barely hang as a starter in the Tier-2 German league but come on guys give him a break...
I'm hoping for an Isles win but I can see a high scoring game that the Bruins win by a couple.
Lets Go Isles!
I think the problem is that Ricky is basically the last remaining piece of the Milbury Era. Since Milbury is no longer around, DP is booed by default.
Or maybe he's booed because he signed a huge contract, considering had any of them been in his shoes they would have said "No... I can't sign this. I'm definitely not worth this."
Or maybe it's the fact that he just won't quit. How dare this guy not want to throw away his dream-career. Doesn't he know that the Isles desperately need that $4.5M cap space? Clearly Wang wants to put this team over the top and Ricky is preventing that.
I think there is two things going for us that I feel confident about. We usually play better in clusters of games, and JT is bound to score here soon. But DP could just spoil all of that. He is more valuable to us injured then healthy.
My prediction is the Rick lets in 1 he shouldn't and then tries to make up for it by over playing the puck which leads to him letting in another 1 he shouldnt. Then when he gets frustrated he takes a stupid penality or tries to get rough w/ some of the B's forwards.
I think there is two things going for us that I feel confident about. We usually play better in clusters of games, and JT is bound to score here soon. But DP could just spoil all of that. He is more valuable to us injured then healthy.
