Much will be made over the next few days of a playoff matchup between Islanders coach Ted Nolan and the Buffalo organization that cut him loose after he was named NHL coach of the year in 1996-97 with the Sabres. The hard feelings are real, and the key players still are in place. Darcy Regier, who left the Islanders’ front office to replace John Muckler as general manager, gave Nolan a token one-year offer that he turned down and eventually hired Lindy Ruff to replace him as coach.
Newsday columnist Mark Herrmann wrote a nice piece on how the Islanders reacted after clinching a playoff spot on Sunday by congratulating Nolan. They understand how much this series means to him and also to Miro Satan, a former Sabre, who is booed whenever he plays in Buffalo.
But a grudge only goes so far as motivation, and what happened between Nolan and the Sabres was 10 years ago. When I asked captain Alexei Yashin if he thought the team wanted to win for Nolan, he made a good point. “We all want to beat Buffalo, especially when they did very well all season long,” said Yashin, referring to the Sabres’ status as President’s Trophy winners with the most points in the NHL. “It’s some kind of measurement. You can measure yourself. When we play together and play for each other, we’re a very good team.”
Yashin finished the season on a good roll with 10 points in his final 10 games. Since moving from center to left wing on a line with Viktor Kozlov and Satan, he has been relieved of some defensive responsibility in the middle of the ice but has done a better job skating his wing and working the corners.
Yashin laughed when asked if he were stunned to make the playoffs by winning four straight games at the end to get in with Wade Dubielewicz replacing injured Rick DiPietro in goal. “It’s just a great feeling,” Yashin said. “We missed the playoffs last year. It’s just great to have this feeling back when we made it three years in a row before.
“Buffalo is a very strong team, but we believed in ourselves the last few games against very good, strong teams, and we beat Buffalo [once] this year, too. If we believe in ourselves and play for each other, you never know what’s going to happen. The last few games, we played playoff hockey. Every game for us was a decision-making game. You were in or you were out. We played with urgency, and it’s great to see the team like that.”
It’s great, too, to see Yashin responding down the stretch in important games. With the offensive load more evenly distributed throughout this Islanders team, maybe Yashin will get a little less defensive attention and maintain that pace into the playoffs.
NEWSDAY PREVIEW: Coming in Wednesday’s Newsday is a 2,300-word package profiling Dubielewicz and updating DiPietro’s status and bid to get back in the lineup and the return of forward Richard Zednik. Ordinarily, I don’t bother readers with the details of my job, but for those who wonder why the blog sometimes is posted late in the day, it takes time to answer a bunch of e-mail in the morning, cover practice, transcribe 4,000 words of notes, write 2,300 words for the paper and then blog another 600 words. When I’m done here, I’ll finish making travel arrangements and spend the night filing previous travel expenses. Yeah, I know, it beats working for a living.
Comments (196)
I am looking forward to Thursday, around 7:15, when that bum Avery does something stupid and takes a dumb penalty and the Thrashers make them pay.....because......
if you think the Rangers suck clap your hands....
if you think the Rangers suck clap your hands....
if you think the Rangers suck, another GOAL by Kovalchuk, if you think the Rangers suck clap your hands
LET'S GOAL ISLANDERS!!!!!
Just incase anyone is keeping score, going back to Feb 1st -
the Rags record in games against the other 15 teams making the playoffs: 5-5-6 (and 3 of those wins were against us)
their record against non-playoff teams: 12-3-0
For the morons who are saying we have no chance against the Sabres, it doesn't look like the Rags chances are much better.
you did well beating on the garbage, now beat a playoff team. and let me please remind all the Rags fans that their last playoff game win is going on 10 years and counting....
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
keep up the good work greg. you know the coliseum is going to be rocking for game 3 on monday night. i went to game 3 vs toronto back in 2002 and man was the coliseum loud and crazy. there is no building in the nhl that can get as loud as the coliseum. we need to be even louder this year.
Greg, if you could please make sure Neil Best reads this so he can tell us why we should not have all of our games on Msg and the Rags on MSG-2.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/new...ry/?ID=203608&hubname=nhl
With a playoff berth on the line, TSN's coverage of the highly anticipated game between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon peaked at 1.75 million viewers during the shootout, as the Islanders clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
TSN delivered a national average audience of 997,000 viewers, setting a record on many levels.
It was the most watched all-American NHL regular season game ever on TSN, more than double the previous high (Dallas @ Colorado, 433,000 viewers, Oct. 4, 2006).
It was the 5th most watched NHL regular season game and 8th most watched NHL game of all time on TSN (regular season or playoffs).
It was the 2nd most watched game on TSN this season (Ottawa @ Toronto, 1.3 million viewers, Oct. 4, 2006, opening night).
Of note, Sunday afternoon was a busy day in sports television as the Islanders/Devils game aired simultaneously (either part or fully) with The Masters, Ford World Curling Championship and Blue Jays Baseball.
The rags also won many of their games in shoot outs. As a matter of fact b/c Lundquist was so good in shootouts their coach would play tight in the overtime period to get to the shoot out! Although I think they will indeed beat Atl., that could come back to haunt them because there is NO SHOOT OUT in the playoffs!
Then again who cares what they do!
Let's concentrate on our team. The Islanders have a huge mountain to climb, but it is possible.
We all know what they have to do....Let's just do our part and root them on!
I thought you were done with this team x 10?
If they lose game 1 big are you going to head for the lifeboats again or are you all in without whining all the way from here on?
I have not seen in any articles, what DiPietro did for the game Sunday. Was he at the game, what was he thinking as the roller coaster went up and down? Love a little insight on what he was thinking/feeling...
What exactly have the Isles done? The Devils basically gave them the game. The Flyers just suck. Toronto played like crap against them. And the Rangers dominated them for two periods and were tired by the third period due to 3 games in 4 nights. Not impressed with the Islanders. After the Smyth deal, the Isles were supposed to be a "cup contender" according to Garth Snow, LOL!!!
Dipi,
If he was still suffering the effects of his bell-ringing he may have been thinking, but the only thing he'd be feeling hearing the word "roller-coaster" is nauseous.
But seriously...I think we're at the point of the year, Isles fans, where we get to take a few weeks off from Ragging each other...At least until the conference finals, which is the only round we could face each other in.
Of course, if we BOTH get there, let the games begin :) . Good luck folks. Those aren't exactly the Coyotes your playing this week.
bob, what have your great rags team done? wow, they went on a good streak in march. congrats. you were a whole 2 points better than us this year. i guess there is no need for the playoffs, gary bettman should just go to msg and present the cup to the rags. you are an idiot.
IC ~
Grow up! I have supported this team more than you EVER will....Go back to bed!
Where have you been for the past week? You are the one that quit!
Merrick~Cincy~Matt~ and all others attending the game on Weds.....Got my tickets via broker....Sect 217 !!! Paid through the ears, but at least I will be there....Tell me where the pregame festivities will commence?!?
First round on me....Off to FLA ~ Enjoy the games ~ see you Weds!
LETS GO ISLES !!!
As for Rags fans all smiles about playing ATL. Isn't the point to win the Stanley Cup??? I agree, I would MUCH rather play ATL. and their weak defense and rookie goalie. YET at the same time aren't all major upsets (in hockey) in the FIRST ROUND? So if the goal is to get the cup, and you say the Sabres are unbeatable, why not play them first????
Also if they are going to beat us so bad, then what will happen when they play you??? We smoked you all year, and when we lost to you it was b/c of tattooing KOHO on Hollwigs head, a penalty in OT, and shoot outs.......So I ask you, why not root for us to beat the Sabres? Then have us to beat to get to the cup???
I hate the Rags, but if we are going to go to the Cup, I would MUCH rather face you down the road then the Thrashers, Devils, Pitt, or Ottawa! So good luck....Hope to me you in the end.....Then smoke you like we always do!
Frank Divioline...Consider yourself educated!
Not a regular poster here on the board, just want to say that being an Islander fan since I was born in '77 has been fantastic. Yes, there has been many a heartbreak but its worth every penny. See ya at game 3 comin' live from Nothern VA!! Lets Go Islanders!!
We are playin with HOUSE money so anything and everything is all good!!
Love this team and my boy Doobie.
Hope DP is 200% healthy wouldn't want to risk the future on this year BUT if he is 200% healthy then all good. MUCH LOVE TO DOOBIE!!
Thank you to Wang/Snow/Nolan and the players for a GREAT RIDE!!
Peace!
Speed, Speed, Speed, how will Witt and Hill keep up with Buffalo in the ISLES end? The only area that the ISLES might have an advantage is with special teams and even taht is razor thin. In the Poll 33% believe that the ISLES will win the Cup! That is a true koolaid alert!
Greg,
I'm sorry you took exception to my previous blog entries. I apologize for not appreciating your effort. But I refuse to apologize for the efforts of your editor to completely miss the boat on a number of issues.
And if you are reading this, may I make a few humble suggestions. I'm not a writer, but I do stay in a Holiday Inn Express whenever I get the chance...
1. I like to know what's coming up. Being an out of towner, I'll usually watch the next Isle foe before the teams play so I have an idea of what to look for during the game. I'll also read their local paper online if I can. What a service that would be if some of that research would be done for hockey fans. It's there for football, baseball and basketball fans...
2. THE NHL is dying. Nobody cares... and I'm sorry... but if I went by your articles I'd think it was dead already. It's still, and may always be, the best spectator sport....HANDS DOWN. People need to understand the "little things" about the game. get on guys for mailing it in... but also point out the fact that a guy like DP is kind of like LT in that he is redefining the position (not that he was the first, but he's becoming the best). A team seriously has to change their strategy when they play against him. And a big point that was missed in his absense was how it affected his own team.
I make fun of Fischler because he's a ranger fan, but he can explain the 200+ different types of checks in the NHL with some level of verve.
3. How about some player profiles.
4. What's going on with the "lighthouse" project?
5. WHY IS THE LEAGUE DYING, AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE IT. Gary Bettman can not be the only voice out there. He's killing the sport.
Not that this subject is the responsibility of a beat writer, but how it affects the franchise you cover is.
6. What is ownership doing to get the seats filled? Attendance is a huge issue with the team. Wang says he has lost money every year, what is he doing to change that?
I really don't want to see this team become the Las Vegas Ice Cactus, or the Kansas City Meat Packers... but interest in hockey on long island is not exactly growing.
Steady, Sec. 217 are the best seats in the house at center ice--Good job!!!! It's also where I hang out before the game (behind the Isles bench during warmups). What row and seats? I'm betting you have a Brian Trottier jersey!
Brian in Nova, I lived in NoVa for 12 years and wish I still did. Glad you can get up here.
JP-great questions that SOMEONE should be covering, but I'm sure Greg's editors won't care until the Isles win a couple of playoff rounds--or worse, leave.
I also think back to that Toronto series and can get goosebumps from reliving being part of the crowd. To be honest, if the Isles only win Game 3 and my son gets to experience that kind of electricity, I will deem the season a success.
Hey Steady, I have been an Islander fan since day one, I was there in 1973, I was at Msg in the 75 playoffs, I was there for all four championships and I was there with three thousand fans when we struggled. I was there opening night with eleven thousand and the roof leaking against Pittsburgh.
I have never posted and said I'm done with this team like you every time there is adversity.
You are a bad fan and no doubt you'll be the first quitting if the Isles lose game one or fall behind.
I'm in it all the way, I don't care if they lose four straight and are outscored 100-0 in this series. I'm in it all the way whether we win the cup or not.
You unfortunately are another story. Wang was right and you are wrong.
Steady:
The "careful what you wish for" axiom definitely applies in the case of the Atlanta Thrashers. Although I think they are about evenly matched with the Rags, Atlanta has some serious veteran talent that know how to win - folks like Greg deVries and Scott Mellanby. Aside from Shanahan, I don't see that on the Rangers roster. I see a lot of good younger talent but...I dunno. That series probably comes down to goaltending.
I'm just waiting for Hollweg to embarrass himself. The playoffs are for real hockey players!
Glad you were able to get tickets for game 4. I'm still working on mine from afar, a buddy from when I used to live on the Island knows a broker, so we'll see. I took this and next week off of work to accommodate the ridiculous amount of driving it's going to take me. 5 hours to Buffalo for game 2 on Saturday and then 7 hours to the Island, watch game 3 at Champions, then game 4, then 9 hours back home with hopefully another Islanders game waiting for me at the other end.
By the way, did anyone read that Don Cherry is going to be doing play-by-play for some of the NHL on NBC games?
I'll forever be a Grapes fan since he was calling a Penguins game once in the early '90s, saw Lemieux and Jagr, and said, "There's Mario and his daughter..."
Hockey fans in the US, get ready for a treat.
hey msg4ever - look at the Rangers poll - 33.3% of Ranger fans think they'll win the cup. Koolaid alert?
Greg - nice job keeping the folks informed. I have to be honest - your column has grown on me since the start of the season. I guess I was a big Alan H supporter. So it was tough to change stripes, but we appreciate all that you do, since except for now - it seems to be just you that provides LI'ers with coverage in print. Thanks again. BTW - check out my blog - www.viewfromsection317.com
Matt,
If that is true NBC has just made teh first move to make hockey watch-able in the US. EXCELLENT!!!
I doubt he'll be doing play by play, but he is definitely the John Madden of Hockey. But what's better about Cherry is that he is so PRO-CANADIEN that it is great TV.
There is a video of him with one of the kids from the hall floating around YouTube, and cherry and a homosexual makes for wonderful TV... a must see.
I miss his old show that used to air in NY... I think it was on cable right after his coaching days were over. He'd show all the great hits from the week, and show the game from a man's man perspective.
If you had to turn off your TV when Simon clocked Hollweg you don't want to watch GrapesTV.
I can't wait!!!
IC. You are going to ask Steady where he's been? The guys been here from the beginning and he talks hockey and, usually, doesn't worry about the Rangers. You, on the other hand, can only talk about the Rangers. Every post of yours has to do with the Rangers. Want to know why the ratings on TSN were so high, becuase the playoff life of a legendary Canadian team depended on it. Do you think Canadian viewers, other than Matt and Kevin T., would have been watching in such numbers if the Leafs weren't somehow involved?
You are one of those fans who cares more about how the Rangers are doing over how your own Islanders are doing. I know the type, I see them at the Garden as well. You need to worry more about the Sabres and less about what channel the Islanders are on. Who cares? They're on TV, that's all that matters. The Rangers are on MSG because that is their channel and, as much as you don't like it, they are the biggest draw in the area. The Rangers, even though they've struggled over the last bunch of years, are more attractive to TV execs because of name recognition and because they play in the Garden in Manhattan. The Devils could win ten cups and they would never draw the attention like the Rangers. You guys have a great history and a fun team to watch this year but you play in Uniondale, LI.
I know you don't like reading this but it is the truth. I'm sure I'll get ripped for this post by some guys here but I think the other "hockey" guys see my point.
So, IC, stop posting about the Rangers and worry about the upcoming series against the Sabres. I think you have a chance, nothing trumps a hot goalie in the playoffs.
Matt, I agree, and I used the "careful what you wish for" line to a buddy of mine the other day. Although they have more veteran talent than you give them credit for (Jagr, Cullen, Straka, Nylander) I too think the series will come down to the netminders and you know how I feel about Lundqvist. I'll take him over Lehtonen any day.
Steady, enjoy the game.
I'll add this about cherry. There is nothing better than The Coaches Corner. Even on a weak night the suit right out of Goodfella's wardrobe is worth the price of admission.
Gary,
I checked your blog. Good work. I wish I knew about it sooner.
No Game one TV here in Mount Vernon (Westchester, NY). Time Warner does not have televise FSN2 here. I know they say it's on ch 50 on the Isles site but they do not put it on.
I can't believe that the Isles brass can't get a better TV Deal. At least televise playoff hockey games.
Can't wait for Verison VIOS. I'm dropping Time Warner in a heartbeat.
GO ISLES
jack ass stop using my log name
you are child with special needs that you need to be with islanders fans so we can baby sit you
grow up root for a real team like the islanders
30 hours and counting until the Isles start shocking the hockey world... !
Ranger fans, worry about your own team and how the Blue shirts are going to stop Kovalchuk, Tkachuk, Hossa and the rest.
i cant stand being at work anymore. I just want the game to be on tonight, i cant take waiting another freakin day. I posted yesterday but if anyone comes across any tickets i need some for any game. I dont care if its on a lawnchair in front of one of the big covered up spot lights in the 300's
Mkaayy201@aol.com if anyone knows anyone whose got extras
Keep the clever songs, poems and rhymes going. That is cute!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2832223
Hats off to New York Islanders coach Ted Nolan, who somehow guided his team into the playoffs on the last afternoon of the regular season, in a shootout no less, with an AHL goaltender sporting a picture of Yoda on his mask.
The Islanders never quit even when it meant having to run the table, beating the Rangers, Toronto, Philadelphia and New Jersey in the last week. Their reward? The NHL's best team and Nolan's old squad, the Buffalo Sabres, who tied a 32-year-old franchise record with 113 points.
Poor Wade Dubielewicz. Not only are the Sabres the NHL's most potent offensive team but they also are well-coached and suddenly almost healthy. Poor Wade Dubielewicz.
1. Depth, depth and more depth. The Sabres had seven 20-goal scorers, more than any other team in the NHL. Four players -- Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek -- had 30 or more. What's even scarier is that Tim Connolly, one of the team's leading scorers in the playoffs a season ago, is back after missing the entire season with a concussion (he scored Saturday in his first game back). Likewise, Maxim Afinogenov -- who was enjoying a breakout season when he was sidelined with a broken left wrist (61 points in 56 games) -- is back, giving coach Lindy Ruff an embarrassment of riches.
2. Team of destiny? Nolan said this week that he wasn't coaching as much as trying to make sure his players believed things could happen. Well, that strategy worked out pretty well. Not only did the Isles beat the Rangers in a shootout to start their week but the Rangers somehow beat the Canadiens. Then, after the Isles beat the Leafs, Toronto somehow managed to beat Montreal, setting up Sunday's nail-biter win over New Jersey. Hey, maybe Nolan's onto something. If he can keep his players believing, and keep them from looking at the stat sheets and the papers (where they'll be reminded this is a hopeless cause), then maybe it's not so hopeless.
3. Did we mention Dubielewicz, or as we like to call him, Dubie Howser, Goalie M.D.? After skirting the issue of Rick DiPietro's medical status, it seems pretty clear the Islanders' netminder for life won't be back any time soon, so their fortunes rest with the 28-year-old minor leaguer from Invermere, British Columbia. So, how long can he keep it up? After this week, confidence among teammates shouldn't be an issue. So what if his unorthodox style won't get him on many instructional videos.
4. Let's get physical. If there is one game plan that might work to the Islanders' advantage, it's in wearing the Sabres down with physical play. It's something the Leafs used to great success late in the season. With players such as Ryan Smyth, Mike Sillinger, Arron Asham and Trent Hunter, the Islanders have the kind of team that could make life difficult for the smaller, highly skilled Sabres.
5. Revenge factor. If the old hockey chestnut about having to lose in order to learn how to win is true, the Sabres should be poised for greatness. A season ago, they reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals before bowing out with more than half of their defensive corps sidelined with injury. The Sabres have persevered through significant injuries again this season and seem to be battle-hardened as a result. One imagines that even further misfortune will only galvanize this team.
• Battle of the Ryans. Think it was coincidence that once Smyth was dealt from Edmonton to Long Island the Oilers fell like a stone? Expect Smyth to make himself known early and often to Buffalo netminder Ryan Miller. How slightly built Miller reacts to the kind of crowding Smyth is expected to deliver will be an important part of the series for both teams.
• Sabres: Vanek, a healthy scratch in last season's playoffs as a rookie, has 19 points in his past 13 games. Former Washington Capital Dainius Zubrus has four goals in 18 games as a Sabre.
• Islanders: Richard Park, promoted to the Islanders' top line this week, scored twice Sunday to push the Islanders into the postseason. He scored Saturday against Philadelphia and added an assist against the Leafs, as well. Hunter has one goal in 19 games.
We love a good Cinderella story as much as the next person, but we smell a pumpkin here. Sabres in five.
From the same pundits who picked us to finish dead last in the league.
Anything can happen. Why Not Us?
I know one person who wants the Isles to win this series in 6. Chris Simon will have completed his jack@ss suspension if that happens.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but what purpose did the suspension extension serve, except to cloud up the issue. Campbell should have had three options:
1. The rest of the season.
2. The rest of the season plus the playoffs.
3. any number of games.
Now Simon will have games remaining if the Isles lose the series.
Is he going to have to forfiet contract money next year too?
Does the team that signs him (hopefully, the Isles) have to eat the remainder of his suspension. Hopefully there won't be any games left.
Now the true stupidity and lack of foresight comes to light. Maybe if the NHLPA reps weren't so busy reading each other's email they'd have made a case for Chris.
To: Smacked with Reality:
Did you cut and paste your blog entry....? I read that entire article somewhere else... Please write something original.
To: JP
The Simon suspension is a minimum of 25 games... so if the Isles win in 6... he's still suspended!
I can’t believe that you can even say that Islanders can win this 1st round against Buffalo. Wake up they barely made it and by being lucky. NJ practically handed you the game by resting their best players and simply not giving their all in that game and you still couldn’t manage to win it normally and got lucky once again in SO. Your team will loose in 4 and that would be the end of Islanders playoff hopes. GET REAL
All you Rangers fans seem content with the experts picks because they give the Rangers are given more of a shot to win the series than the Islanders? Get a life. You worry about your own series and we will worry about ours. If we are lucky we will meet up on the conference finals. But for now, LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
Marc:
How many of those "experts" picked the Oilers to beat the Wings last season?
On paper, any team is "overmatched" against the Sabres, but any hockey fan--you don't seem to be among that cohort--knows that's why they play the games on the ice.
By your logic, we should just hand the Cup to the President's Trophy winners. Why even have playoffs?!
To the rest:
I'd love to see the Sabres break out the old jerseys for the playoffs. With the sin-ugly RBK template coming up next season, third jerseys will not be allowed (great for the Preds and Isles, not so great for the Canucks and Sabres!). So the Sabres should at least sport the old logo for the post-season...
P.S. Speaking of old logos--anyone still have their fisherman jersey??? (I have two, a Palffy home gamer and a blank away.)
OK, here is original.
ISLANDERS DON'T STAND A CHANCE. I HOPE THEY ARE HANDING OUT CRACK PIPES TO ALL YOU CRAZY ISLANDERS FANS AT GAME 3!
Sabres in 4
Devils in 5
Rangers in 6
Penguins in 7
Red Wings in 6
Ducks in 5
Canucks in 6
Sharks in 5
Now if the Islanders dress the Ice Girls to play defense in Game 3 or 4. I'll give the Islanders 1 win and say Sabres in 5.
Marc,
I don't think any of us believe the Islanders are the favorite. I'm pretty sure we are all well entrenched inthe "reality" of the situation. What was posted above was a good assessment, wherever it comes from. That doesn't mean we have NO chance. I think we all understand that.
Doc,
My point is, if they win in 6 they will play at least 4 more. Hence, he will be done with his suspension for next year. He will still ahve to sit out the rest of the playoffs.
If they lose in 4-7 games he will still have time remaining.
Sorry... I didn't think I had to do the implied math.
WHY NOT US!?!
Smacked,
there is no reason for such a give-away... we're not headed over to Theo's house after the game.
That was good! Ozolinsh has got a problem too. Going there?
DELUSIONAL:
1. an act or instance of deluding.
2. the state of being deluded.
3. a false belief or opinion: delusions of grandeur.
4. Psychiatry. a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact: a paranoid delusion.
Thats it right there!
My predictions...pretty simple. After the Islanders win, and rangers lose all the ranger fans will be back on their own blog talking about how to fix their team...
Quotes like, "I knew Jagr would fold", "What a dumbass penalty Avery took in game 2... a five minute major killed us there"
"can somebody tell me why Hollweg draws an NHL salary"
"Why didn't the NHL give us two weeks to find a replacement for Lunchquest"
"OUR DEFENSE SUX"
Now go practice...
Where is Logan's predictions?
Did I miss them?
He hasn't done them right?
Why?
HE DOESN'T WANT TO SMACK ALL YOU GOOD FANS WITH THE REALITY THAT HE WONT PICK THE ISLANDERS TO LEAVE THE FIRST ROUND!
JP,
I honestly can't blame you. If I were in your shoes as a die-hard fan I would talk the same way.
But, I'm not.
I will attend many playoff games this year. You will be lucky to get to 3 at the Coliseum. I did it last year, it was painful. Getting swept sucks. Just get ready, hold on tight and try to enjoy the ride!
Also:
Jagr is going to fold Atlanta up and play with them.
How many Majors did Avery take this year, besides his two fights?
I agree on Hollweg, my choice he doesn't touch the ice in the playoffs.
Lunchquest? Come on! He is the reason the Rangers are in the playoffs. He will stand on hi head and rise to the Occasion.
Our Defense is no worse off then yours. Look at the year the Rangers had after Christmas before you question their defense. If the Rangers had two of their last half instead of the streaky first. Do you realize what that team would have done this year?
Questions for you to practice:
1.
See, Mr. Smacked, it's a paranoid delusion that anyone here thinks you actually USE the brains you were given (then again, that assumes you were given brains, and with rag-hags you can never tell). The simple fact here is this: on paper, the Sabres have a younger, faster, more offensively-potent team than the Islanders do. However, the other simple fact is that all we need to do is win 4 games before they do. If I say right now the team has no shot and curl up in the fetal position, well then I wouldn't be much of a fan. In fact, I'd almost be down to your level. Upsets happen every year, otherwise there's no point to having the playoffs. We have nothing to lose, and according to the pundits we have no business being here at all. So...why not us? We have as good a shot at the Cup as anybody else since everyone's record is 0-0.
Also, I do believe in 1995 the Rags, who were the 8th seed, bounced the #1 seed Nordiques. How many Rag-Hags still believed in their team, and how many pundits said they'd win? Or is it not a "paranoid delusion" when your "beloved" Rags are involved?
Concentrate on your cardboard defense trying to contain Atlanta, and we'll concentrate on trying to contain Buffalo, mmmkay?
16.75 hours until the drop of the puck, and you know what? Why Not Us?
1. WHY 15 YEARS?
2. WHY DID HE LEAVE THE NET?
3. WHAT WAS SIMON THINKING?
4. WHY DID WE GET SMTYH?
5. WHY IS BLAKE GONE?
6. WHY IS SMYTH GONE?
7. WHY IS OUR TEAM HEADED TO VEGAS?
Nick,
The 1995 Rangers team did finish 8th, but it was a scrunched 48 game schedule post lockout.
Nothing about that season was normal and should not be compared to any events of any normal year.
If you wanna say that it is possible for an 8th seed team to beat a #1, look no further than last year's Oilers who beat the Wings, with Ryan Smyth a vital cog.
I will give the Islanders alot more credit if DP gets in between the pipes.
Seriously,
You guys aren't the slightest concerned that the Sabres are going to light the midget guy up?
How not?
1.WHY ONLY ONE CUP IN 67 YEARS?
2. WHY ARE YOU ON THE ISLES BLOG INSTEAD OF THE RAGS?
3. WHY MUST YOU WRITE IN CAPS??
4. WHY DON'T YOU GET A LIFE?
5. I COULD GO ON AND ON...
Keep the clever songs, poems and rhymes going. That is cute!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2832223
Posted by: Smacked with Reality | April 11, 2007 01:07 PM
but everyone said the islanders would finish 19-30 in the league..... where are we now the eigth place and the next season has started....
we are the Cinderella team... watch out sabres
islanders in 6
LETS GO ISLANDERS
Smacked:
Save the silly predictions on whether the Isles will retain Smyth/Blake etc. The point is not relevant.
Game 1 in 28 hours!
Great post NICK!
Nick:
Nice catch on the Nords-Rags series. That season was a very sad one for a number of reasons.
And I'd rather be up against the '95 Nordiques than the '07 Sabres. That team had some serious offence (Sakic, Sundin, Nolan, Wendel Clark) but not much on the blue line...and Stephane Fiset! in goal.
But you may not remember that the Rags proceeded to get stomped in the conference semis by the Flyers.
I am starting to be convinced that Rangers fans have a SERIOUS inferiority complex for a New York team. Even Jets fans can keep it together.
JACK ASS STOP POSTING WITH MY NAME
but everyone said the islanders would finish 19-30 in the league..... where are we now the eigth place and the next season has started....
we are the Cinderella team... watch out sabres
islanders in 6
LETS GO ISLANDERS
We'll see how good the DiPietro deal looks when the Rags overpay in $$ per year for Lunchmeat.
Hey Crazy Eyes Vukota.... please show smacked a seat please!
but everyone said the islanders would finish 19-30 in the league..... where are we now the eigth place and the next season has started....
we are the Cinderella team... watch out sabres
islanders in 6
LETS GO ISLANDERS
This guy is hilarious!! Ever notice how many morons around the Internet give themselves hysterically ironic names such as "Smacked with Reality" while generally spewing outright kookery? Time to get back on your meds buddy, the only thing you've been smacking in reality is your angry inch.
Say, if you're lucky, Jagr won't separate his shoulder trying to punch anyone and the Rangers may even win a game.
MICK-LAST TIME I CHECKED BOTH TEAMS HAVE WON FOUR CUPS. 1994 BEING THE LATEST. I'LL WRITE HOW I WANT WHERE I WANT THANKS FOR CARING THOUGH.
DOC-ITS NOT RELEVANT BECAUSE IT HURTS. JUST LIKE THE ISLANDERS REALITY IN THE PLAYOFFS. DON'T SET YOUR SELF UP FOR SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT...IT HURTS!
MATT- "I am starting to be convinced that Rangers fans have a SERIOUS inferiority complex for a New York team." YOU SHOULD TRY STAND-UP! PUULLEEEASE!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN INTRODUCING DARTH WOE!
THEY ARE CRAWLING OUT OF THE WOOD WORK BECAUSE THE ISLANDERS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!
CRAWL BACK IN YOUR HOLE. PUT AWAY A DOLLAR A DAY AND ATTEND A GAME NEXT YEAR!
was that me or you?
I can't remember what name i posted under last.
Why be concerned, Smacked? According to you and all of your highly-touted experts, we shouldn't even be here. There's zero pressure on us to do anything but show up. So we're choosing to have some fun with it.
I can't imagine what it must be like to be a Sabres player or fan right now, where anything less than a Stanley Cup will be considered a complete and total failure. For them, it'll hardly even be fun if they win this series - more like relief that the round is over, and it'll be the same for the other rounds.
For us, we've gone up, down, up, down, and up again all year. It's been crazy, but fun, and we're all willing to stay on the roller coaster regardless of how it ends. And yes, I don't think anyone here doubts that it would take an upset of monumental proportions to knock off Buffalo, but it wouldn't be completely unprecedented. Heck, every year there are books, movies, and other accounts based on true stories about huge upsets in sports. It's not the most common thing, but it does happen. And it does happen to teams that are "overmatched," too. And if it can happen, then why not now?
Whatever happens, win or lose, I think most of us are fine with it. That said, why not be positive and dream big? Maybe you're too cynical to comprehend that. If so, I feel bad for you.
The only thing crawling out of the woodwork lately are Rags trolls... typical this time of year, but generally worse since the Rags are usually hitting the links by now.
Here's a posting tip for you: turn off Caps Lock, then remove the key entirely. Remove every key from the board while you're at it as a matter of fact, to prevent embarrassing yourself any further.
LAST YEAR THIS TIME I WAS HEADED TO PLAYOFF GAMES.
YOU WERE GOING WHERE? THE LINKS. YES! CORRECT.
THIS PLACE STARTED GETTING FLOODED BY ABOUT 20 EXTRA PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT HERE ALL SEASON.
THE WEATHER IS NICE ISN'T IT?
If anyone actually is interested in learning a little hockey history and knowing some of the real reasons why the Rangers, as well as Bruins and Black Hawks have had so few Cup post World War II, I will let you know.
The was no entry draft at all until the 60's and not a fair entry draft until the early 70's.
The Montreal Canadiens were ENTITLED to the best French Canadian players of the period. There was never a chance that Jean Beliveau or Maurice Richard would be anything other than Canadiens.
In 1969, The Canadiens won the Cup but got to pick the 1st two players in the draft because they were both Frncophone, Rejean Houle and Marc Tardif. In 1971, they won the Cup, but got to pick first and got to take Guy Lafleur of all people.
I can remember reading a little bit in 1984 when Mario went #1 overall that some hard line French Canadiens were angry they weren't entitled to him too.
The ineptitude of the Rangers for much of their history is laughable, but Isles fans who bring it up on a daily basis, who haven't the slightest idea of hockey history, I feel need to be informed just a bit.
So, maybe in some way that answers the question of "WHY ONLY ONE CUP IN 67 YEARS?"
hey a**hole who is posting under my name....
i root for two teams:
1) the yankees
2)any team that beats the rangers
LETS GO ISLANDERS
WHY NOT US
1. WHY DO 18,200 'FANS' LOOK SO MUCH LIKE EMPTY SEATS ??
2. WHY DIDN'T WE WIN THE CUP EVEN THOUGH WE HAD THE BIGGEST PAYROLL YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR ...?
3. WHY DID IT TAKE MY TEAM 54 YEARS BETWEEN CUP WINS EVEN THOUGH FOR 27 OF THOSE YEARS THERE WERE ONLY 6 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE?
4.WHY DO I LIKE GETTING ABUSED BY ISLANDERS FANS SO MUCH????????
i root for two teams:
1) the yankees
2)any team that beats the rangers
LETS GO ISLANDERS
WHY NOT US
hey a**hole who is posting under my name....
i root for two teams:
1) the Mets
2)and Rangers
LETS GO RANGERS
WHY THE ISLANDERS?
1. WHY DO EMPTY SEATS LOOK SO MUCH LIKE EMPTY SEATS ??
2. WHY HAVEN'T WE WON THE CUP IN 24 YEARS?
4.WHY DO I LIKE GETTING TOUCHED BY ISLANDERS FANS SO MUCH????????