On the Islanders Beat

Great move! Very underrated player and at a good price given his injuries...

Making the drive up from DC tomorrow to catch the home opener. Can anybody recommend any bars close to the Colisuem that would be good for some pre-gaming?

Hey "B"

Most peope either go to Champions which is located in the Marriott next to the Coliseum or one of the 2 Bars in the lower lobby of the Coli.

Fantastic move by the Isles. Martinek is without question a top 4 Dman (will be top 2 if he proves he can stay healthy) and the isles got him for a modest salary for 3 more years.

Great move

Snow described Martinek as the Isles’ “best defenseman when healthy.”

Now the Isles have their top five DMen if you include Campoli signed at least through at least next year, that is the way to build a team from the D as in DiPietro out....

For those with DIRECTV in their office or home put on channel 624 SPORTS NY....Nystrom just put in the winning goal! 1980 cup...They are doing the interviews now :) :)!

Amazaing how our beloved NVMC went crazy. My God a what team! NO sport will ever see a team like that again. Mostly b/c they were all drafted. In this day and age with free agency we root for laundry.

LETS MAKE IT ROCK ON SATURDAY!!!

LETS GO ISLES...BRING THE MAGIC BACK...MAY TAKE TIME, BUT LETS GET IT GOING !!!

WOW...They are doing a marathon. Now it is 81 cup vs. NORTH STARS !!!

p.s Above post was not me..It was the lonely Troll

Impressive win by the Rangers against that powerhouse Panther team, which are clearly the best team EVER assembled!
^^had to put that in for those "challenged" Ranger fans

I think it will be tough to make the playoffs, but I disagree with the "long year" talk.

Lets make strides. Lets grind out some wins. Lets be a pesky team the top teams hate to play.

Lets have big years from older guys that can get us some nice pics in the draft at the deadline if we are out of it!

Yahhhhhhh never know! Yahhhhhhhh Gotta believe!

LETS GO ISLANDERS....Few early big wins can get people going.

**Still think NO HOPE...Go look at the Colorado Rockies ~ Arizona Diamondbacks ~ Clevland Indians ******

Shocker...Realist being unreal yet again...Let me guess...Rags win the cup in a sweep.

At least be Original!

"Time for Isles' Satan to fill Blake's gap" Not for nothing Greg...couldn't you have thought of a better headline? I'm surprised the Ranger imposter didn't jump all over this headline considering his penchant for gay jokes over the summer.

I guess they really shouldn't play any games this year, just pencil us in for three or four wins, give Satan 35 goals for the year and let him sign with a contender now. Or we can actually let them play a game before we say how much they stink.

P.A.T get in all the (same ole' every day)mock imposter posts you can, until they all get deleted, like you never existed. Then your tears will flow, and I will howl with laughter. LOL

JPinVA,

I agree that the Rangers are not near the top of the list when it comes to fisticuffs, but that isn't the only measure of toughness. Finishing checks, blocking shots, sticking up for each other, that defines toughness as well. The Rangers have an abundance of that. Take a look at last night's game against a big, physical Panthers team. The Rangers outhit them 37-26 and blocked 16 shots to FLAs 7.

If you want to drop the gloves all night go ahead and you'll have to face a PP of Jagr, Drury, Gomez, Shanahan, Straka, etc..

Besides, unless you are talking about taking out knees and swinging sticks (which I hope you aren't), you aren't going to send too many guys "to the press box". These are professional hockey players and, as I'm sure you know, they don't come any tougher.

Huh?

Big bad Florida Panthers?

I'm not that familiar with their lineup but that team is anything but big and bad the last I checked. I'll have to look again but I always thought they had a smallish team.

Beating Florida is really no cause to get excited. There seems to be a lot of that going around in Rangers nation over the past year or so. They beat lousy Atlanta (A team anyother playoff team last year could have stomped) and we never heard the end of it.

Overall I heard the Rags played a real crappy game through two periods last night. They were also 0-4 on the PP so I don't think they are as scary on special teams as most would think.

They don't have a proven PP quarterback Dman on the team. You can pressure their point all night.

Very good move by the Isles. Getting a guy like Marty for under $2.5M/yr is a bargain. Getting him for $1.5 is an absolute steal.
It's a bigger bargain considering the Islanders don't have to subsidize his healthcare costs.
Witt-Martinek-Sutton-MAB is a pretty solid group of vets.

Concerning the Blake "void". That is really an insult to Satan who pretty much filled every void last year. He may not be the net filler that he once was, but IMO he played a much better two way game last year, and has played hard since he's put on the uni.
He may not have had his best NUMBERS years with the Islanders, but he's one of the players that were brought in and has been totally professional.
He should enjoy a good year with his new linemates, but the guy isn't getting younger, so let's be realistic.
I'd say a solid 2-way 25 goals would be an excellent year for him. If the line is successful all three players (Satan-Vasicek-Hilbert(or whoever)) should improve on their previous year's production. I still say, though, that Hunter on that line and Bergy on the checking line, makes so much more sense.
Vasicek needs to improve on his 03-04 numbers. He should get plenty of ice time.
I just don't want to see the Sillinger line being the second best scoring line again. Though good offensive output would be a BONUS.

So let see... Martinek at 2.5 a year, thats what, about a quarter-million per game?

Doesn't matter how good he is, he's too fragile and necessitates having another good d-man to fill in all the time he spends on the DL. We cant afford to blow another roster spot on his backup, who will probably play at least 30 games this year.

WOW..."Enough Already" is around at the same time the trolls are....YOU ARE A FRAUD ISLES FAN...Go back to the Garden and stomp pretending!

Brian,
I didn't say THE ISLANDERS would dominate them physically, but they most likely will. they did last year until march 8th... and we got bigger, you got smaller.
But the whole division got bigger, especially in front of the net. I promise you the added value of Avery's instigation is going to be curtailed very quickly when he faces this division on a nightly basis. teams will not stand for his, and Hollweg's antics anymore. Each team will most likely have a special RANGER ROSTER.
Hey... that's a compliment to the rangers...
What I would be more concerned about is guys like SHanny (who is a tremendous player) and Jagr(best in the world at one time) being a little past their prime... and being forced to BANG every single night.
It will be a testament to their fortitude if they get through this season with the same top line. That is a problem every team is going to have to face, but they seem a little OLDER at the top.
They didn't look all that good last night when florida was finishing their checks, and playing a tight "D"... but to their credit they withstood it and eventually broke the panthers.

It was a pretty good game. It's going to be a good season.

Unless my math is really rusty, 3 years @ 4.5 = 1.5 a year. Not 2.5.

He is a bargin at that price.

Good to see they signed him for the next 3 years.

Can't wait for tonite!

Just an example.
3/8/7: The play that I really think was the turning point, even before the Simon incident.
Avery comes down the ice and almost decapitates Hill. RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REF. After the hit Avery slows because he figures he's gone, but no whistle... in fact he gets the puck behind the net. Hill, MADDER THAN HELL, goes into the corner and pounds him into the boards like a piece of veal, not once, or twice, but three times... and gets the ONLY penalty.
I hope, in the same scenario, Sutton just drops the gloves, pounds the crap out of Hollywood and ends his night.
Avery, was a huge factor, to the Rangers' success last year. That act gets old though. there are definite reasons his old teammates (with the exception of shanny) can't stand him.
Maybe the same reasons teammates didn't seem to like blake.
BTW: Blake looks pretty good in TOR. He's not going to put up 40 this year (IMO) but he definitely makes that team better. He'll also thrive playing to a full house.

Anon,

very good. It was okay, but the "...and todd called" was the sign of a true professional.

good job!

Thanks JP ... wink wink

KEVIN T ~

By far the coolest new jerseys in the league are your Canucks with the mixture of the old and the new. How the twins look in pre-season?

Caesar, take a look at Florida's roster. From what I watched last night they are a good sized team, especially the D (Bouwmeester, Van Ryn,etc). Wouldn't call them small. And, did I say anything about beating Florida and being excited? No. I agree, for about 30 minutes last night the Rangers couldn't get anything going (frustrating as hell). I was only stating that the Rangers aren't going to be pushed around every night and that team toughness takes many forms. Besides, 0-4 on the PP last night during the 1st game of the season and the first time the entire PP corps has been together all year.....I'm not worried about the PP.

I know from your posts here and on Zipay's blog you're a Ranger hater so I'll take you comments with a grain of salt. I won't even address your Atlanta comment.

JP, got what you're saying and the age of some of the stars does worry me. But Jagr and those guys are pretty good at avoiding the direct hits that get you hurt, I just hope it continues. If the young guys can keep playing well and Renney can continue to roll 4 lines then some of the pressure will be off Jags, Shanny and Straka.

Avery does what he does and if teams are going to dress players based on blasting him then he's doing his job. Because the guys teams are going to dress won't be able to keep up with the rest of the Rangers talent.

Look, I'm not one of those Rangers fans who chants "we want the Cup" based on what we did in July. There is certainly reason to be optimistic, just like Isles fans should be optimistic, otherwise, why should we watch at all?

???

Anyone see the fight between Goddard and Boulerice of the Flyers last night?

Why did the Isles ever give up on Goddard? What a great fighter.

He beat the bag out of Boulerice!

Flyers had a nice win over the Flames!

2 hours till game time!

LETS GO ISLES !!!!!!!!

"Why did the Isles ever give up on Goddard?"

Chris Simon

I have posted this many times. When the Isles got Simon I was one of those people that said, "WTF"?

All I saw was the rough play when he played the Isles, the suspensions and Craig Laughlin's inept discriptions of him on the Cap's broadcasts. He's also been on more teams than jock itch.

But even after the Hollweg incident I'd have to say he was one of the BETTER off season pick ups last year.
He's an EXCELLENT team guy. He's a lead by example guy... and he knows exactly who he is, and pushes himself (when inspired) to be a little better. he had a career year last year, and that includes everything from getting his hands dirty to scoring PP goals.

That's what MM thought Goddard would bring to the club (IMHO), but he didn't have anybody to show him how. Sterling may have been the worst NHL (not AHL) coach in Islander history.

If anybody remembers Goddard played a little PK and was pretty good... but he'd ride the bench, with Asham and a host of others that would get in Sterling's "doghouse". It still gives me heartburn thinking about that "wait until your father gets home" look he'd give players he thought weren't doing what they were supposed to.
How did we go from Laviolette to THAT????

Why did we ever give up on Laviolette?? :)

Watching FSNY....ISLES Marathon!!!

Best part about Billy Smith besides his play was the fact he wore a "Jets" sticker on his helmet! Never noticed that as a kid!

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!

Best part of Smitty is he skated around NVMC with a BUD CAN instead of the cup or his consmyth trophy!

Best MONEY goalie in the history of the sport!

That is a quote by the way from #99 Wayne Gretzky!

For ALL the people that keep saying that the team got gutted (joking, I know it is one guy using our names) think of this:

Those players that left did ZIPPO for us in the playoffs. As good as Blake was, he never won a playoff series for us! Smyth did ZERO against the rags, Devils, and others in our division! Yashin, well, enough said! Potti, please!

So lets give these new guys a chance.

YAH GOTTA BELIEVE !!!

LETS GO ISLANDERS !!!!!!!!!

over the last SIX + decades, the Rags have ONE Stanley Cup.

I'll take 0 playoff series wins in the last decade and 4 Cups in our 35 year history to just ONE playoff series win in your last decade and just ONE Cup win in the last 67 years.

1 championship in the past 67 years......a .01 championship percentage, what a beautiful history you Rags have. give me a break.

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!

Wow what an EXCELLENT slash by comrie! Awesome defensive presence. We should be down a goal any minute now.

Didn't even take a full minute! What an awesome defense this team has. Look at all the GRIT!! There's GRIT everywhere!

Clearly this team will be a joy to watch this season.

Watching MSG on NHL Center Ice. 3-3 after 1st period. Lots of action, playing well against Buffalo, but they do look like a bigger team.

Kevin T.
Victoria, BC

Nice to see us start the game with a dumb penalty and give up a goal because of it.

After one period I'm ready to switch Hilbert and Bergenheim.

Some very nice puck movement by both teams.

I know it's just the first period of the first game, but we need to get more organized on defense.

We don't move around enough when on the power play.

If Bergeron is going to play defense this way all season he better score 40 goals to make up for it.

I miss the days when the home team wore white jerseys.

5th goal by Comrie a thing of beauty! Bouncing puck and he still buries it.

5-4, now keep the damn lead!

Kevin T.

Nice play by Comrie. He's got a 1 year deal, right?

Is it just me or is the picture really horrible on FSNY? It looks terrible compared to most of my other channels.

Doubt they hold this lead the way things have gone. We'll probably see least three more goals in the third.

Hey "Enough Already"...not only is it Friday night and you are watching and Isles game, but you are eating CROW also....Enjoy suckahhh

.....MESSAGE TO ALL RAGS.....
......GET OFF THIS SITE......

WOW....Beyond impressed on a few levels.

Lets recap:

1) Miggsey you get a HUGE shout out. I thought Campolli played one of his best games in years. Not because he scored, but he hit! He skated! He was good with his stick! HE was a Plus 1! Very good game!

2) Satan...He played a great game. He skated harder than I ever saw him skate. HE had nice opportunities and great vision!

3) The FREE AGENT LINE: WOW what a debut....For all you Rags calling them the leftover line, well just like cold pizza left overs in college, they were AWESOME!

4) BLOCK SHOTS: They had more than a few and showed serious heart!

5) LEADERSHIP: When the Isles were being out skated, Guerin immediately stepped up and made a hit then got some pts. Think Yashin would of done that???

6) POWER PLAY: I believe they were 3/4.....It was clicking and smooth!

LAST: Above all else, this is a game the Isles would of got crushed in last year. Once down they would of coward and took a 5-1 loss. This team kept skating and kept pushing. DP was off his game and way too many times we were out of position. With that said they stepped up and found a way to win. Tomorrow night is going to be NUTS!!! NVMC will be rocking....

YAH GOTTA BELIEVE !!!

Well, that was fun to watch. I think DP was a bit rusty, but he still had that fantastic save 5 minutes in. How can you not look forward to the rest of the season? LET'S GO ISLES!!!

Bergeron's the weak link here boys. All forward lines looked good - nice chemistry on the 1st line. Vasicek looks good when he moves to the net. DP was fine. Hung out to dry by sloppy D, but rebounded well to make the saves that mattered. See you all at the Coliseum tomorow. Not a bad beginning though, right?

i know its only the first game, but i really really liked what i saw - and not only for the aggressive play and tenacity, but for the heart - check out campoli taking offense to the shot after the offside whistle! and the new line - i dont care what any one says about guerin and what he has left in the tank but what i saw was a top star forward making chances and playing hard. and sillinger was insane in those last few minutes! he was all over the place in the right ways.

but the best part was watching each and every one of them skate over to DP after winning to knock heads - this team is already gellin - i think we are going to surprise everyone all over again.

not to say there wasnt serious room for growth - some sloppy moments but again - its just the first game!

go isles!

and i think comrie is feeling quite comfortable - this could be a lot of fun.

maybe? :)

The shocker of the night came before the game started.

Stan Fischler aka THE MAVEN predicted the ISLES MAKE THE PLAYOFFS !!!! As did Butch Goring which is no surprise......The fact THE MAVEN did though, is huge...He hates the Isles and always rips them!

YAH GOTTA BELIEVE!

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TICKETS, GET THEM! NO EXCUSE.....We can START 2-0 !!!!

Nice win tonight. I would really like to see Berard on the team before Saturday nights game. I think we could really use him on the power play. The Sutton & Bergeron pairing is was a little scary.

Lets Go Islanders!!!!!

Enough Already???? Where are yah talking to Todd?

Tap out already?

Enjoy LOSAHHHHHHH

gotta agree about bergeron/sutton. they better tighten things up for tomorrow night. other than that, i thought the squad played a great game. let's get to the collie tomorrow night folks. i'll be there.

I had a hard time tonight switching between the Yankees and Islanders (btw, did anyone notice how much A-Rod looked like a blowfish in the 9th trying to settle down; a key hint to watching A-Rod is whether he takes those puffy breaths at bat--his telltale sign of being tight. If he does, I honestly believe he hits about .125 with no power. When he's locked in, there are no deep breaths).

Anyway, getting back to the Isles, it's only one game and you certainly can't complain about this start, especially how well they played in the 3rd period--and the lack of penalties!!!!!

I know a lot of folks don't like him, but I also thought Jaffe's analysis of the Isles play was dead on all night--including some worries over how Sutton/Bergeron played in their own end. I also thought Jonathan Sim was caught up ice a few times leading to Buffalo chances.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. Steady, I'll be in Section 322 and will be in front of the Isles bench for the 6:30 p.m. pre-game skate wearing a new blue DiPietro jersey. Hope to see you there.

GO ISLANDERS !!!

What a great start. Previous posters summed it up well, but I'll add a few thoughts.

1. Sutton looked like a pylon....well a pylon would have been in the right position once in a while. I didn't expect THAT. But he didn't look too good in the playoffs last year either. Maybe Campoli can pull him aside and show him how it's done.
[that line was for miggsey]
2. Campoli/Gervais looked good, and campoli had one of his better games in theh uni. He must really hate conn.
3. DP... 4 goals would normally be a weak night, buthe played really well. He did make my heart miss a beat when he cleared it right up the middle during the first PK situation... good game.
4. Comrie v Blake... round 1... COMRIE BY TKO. I did miss the forecheck that Blake would usually provide, but the OFFENSE was swarming, and Comrie, as I must have posted 100 times can DISH AND FINISH. If Blake can score 40 under Nolan, Comrie will have 90 points.
5. Vasicek v Kozlov... NO CONTEST. He skated, he hit, he played like a power forward up the middle...
6. Andy Hilbert... dude, buy a Tony Roberts book... you have no confidence in front of the net. You look like a fourteen year old boy trying to unhook his first bra. Tambellini won't be in Bridgeport long.
7. I didn't realize this until midway through the first... the only two forwards to spend any significant time together last year were Silly and Hunter.... Kudos to Nolan and their work ethic to have played such a strong game. Of course they could have played better, but that is a huge obstacle to overcome... and they did it in a period. In the second period they were much smoother.
8. THEY ARE 1-0 and I didn't have to start this post, "I'm JP, I'm an Islander fan, they suck, but I'm still a fan"

Next up... BUF at home... While the rangers go up against the undefeated Senators.... in Ottawa.

Jim... Don't forget our little bet!

:-)

I'll let you off the hook if you'd like. And we'll only have to do it on the first post after ranger islander games.

sound fair?

1-0... AWESOME.

B:

I like Potter's Pub about a mile down the road from the NVMC, if you've got a DD or you're not getting tanked before the game.

Healy:

I'm pretty sure that sub-editors are the ones that write the headlines. Not sure how much input Newsday allows from the writers.

I have to admit I've never been this psyched for an opener in my life. Good things this year. I'll be in 324 tomorrow.

Yeah baby...just got done watching on dvr...what entertainment!!! Little sloppy but a win's a win! I was impressed with the stick checking on the buffalo rushes. Don't think dp looked too bad. Definitly lost the puck on the deflect on the first one. The breakaway slapper had me confused though. I think maybe he thought it was going to be a fake slapper.
I don't know about you but I'm cool with the 'leftover line' so far. Definitly a tough team... Lots of finished checks. Already of to a DIRTY start... LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yo miggsey... did you see the 'spot shadow' on campoli on sports center tonight?

My favorite play was the Power play kill with about 3 minutes to go. Afinogenov skated through a couple guys with some great moves and was just about to let it go and then BAMMM BABY! Afinogenov meet Mr. Hunter.

Gotta love it. I really enjoy the early games in the season. Teams don't know their opponents yet and the players can just go out there and go for it. A lot more unpredictable.

As for the complaints about some of the D being pilons, take a look at the new rules. Once the forward has open ice and space, the D can't touch them without taking a penalty.

If the Islanders keep playing like this, they will be one of the most entertaining teams in the league.

Kevin T.

What a start; and we were all worried about scoring. Shore up the -D- a tad and we will be in most games this year.

Damn Yankees; conflict with watching the game and they lose due to flying ants in October. Florida doesn't even have that many ants. Trust me!

Psyched for tomorrow though!

Anyone watch the 82-84 Stanley Cup winning games on FSNY? What a team that was. Was the rink bigger back then?

ESPN said that tonights win was only the 9th time in the teams history that the ISLES won their season opener and I think the first time in 9 years? Might be wrong about the second quote.

But that is a pretty significant stat!

Correction to my ESPN quote, it as follows on the latter:

"Islanders won their opener for the first time since 2001 and only the second time in their last 12 tries".

Also, just in case you thought not getting something for one of our surplus defensemen is not important; getting a pick is very important. Look at when Martinek was picked by the ISLES.

"New York Islanders' 8th round choice ( 228th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft."

Not too shabby for an 8th round pick. Don't expose through waivers if you can avoid it. Make a trade for a pick even it is late round; get something.

No doubt the regulars here are anxiously awaiting my feedback on this game 1 performance, so here goes:

I was very pleasantly surprised by the effort I saw from the Isles tonight, especially on offense. I did not expect them to score six goals. I don't think they even had the puck in the offensive zone for the first 10 minutes of the game, but they recovered nicely.

The first line looked really good and did very well generating chances down low in the offensive zone. I haven't seen much of Fedotenko, but I have heard things like hes prototypical lazy russian who doesn't give it his all the whole time. He looked pretty good to me, working hard to maintain position in front and bang in a rebound. Comrie played with purpose, and definitely worked his ass off. I just hope his purpose isn't to raise his stock so he can take off for somewhere at the end of the year.

I wasn't really impressed by sutton, who didn't seem to have the wheels to match up against a much faster sabres offense.

Bergeron can't play defense, simple as that. I saw him get torched in his own zone a couple of times and he looked horribly uncomfortable with the puck near his own net. So I'd say he better score a lot of points or he's too much of a liability. Campoli looked small and seemed to lack confidence. His style of pseudo-hooking to force players to the outside is eventually going to become expensive. Witt played like Witt but sooner or later one of those blocked shots is going to break an ankle or something, which, considering the better part of the defense, I don't think the team can afford.

Ricky made a couple of amazing saves early on that a) he just can't expect to make all the time and b) were so slinky-acrobatic that if he's made to keep it up will probably end up getting him injured. As nice as the saves were, there's definitely some playing with fire there. Vanek also smoked him with a slapshot from about 5 feet out... that's a play not seen too often. I did think he was about to get one with a minute or so left... I was like, "Do it Rick!" and then it got blocked but if it wasn't I think it would have gone in. That would have been something to see.

What I liked most, I think, is the way the team seemed to collapse around rick when the puck got to him. I don't remember seeing much of that last year. The commitment to defense seems to have gotten across and that is a very welcome thing.

I've been clamoring for some offense on this team for years. Tonight we got some, and I'm very happy about that. I doubt we can count on scoring six a night, but it was good to see. I don't know that I believe the team is as offensively dangerous as they looked... but time will tell. Nice chemistry on the first line especially.

So, I'm impressed with the effort, and very happy with the result. Now all I need is to see 30 or so more games like that, starting tomorrow night, and I'll be convinced that we may be on to something here. It was a good start. Now lets see if we can keep it up.

Just saw the game on Tivo...

Sloppy 1 st period but what a save by DP... It will take like 10-15 games to get in true game shape... Comerie what a game, I said on another blog earlier this summer , this guy has a tremendous skill set and almost got kicked off the blog, he will IMPRESS...
First game so the win was nice...

What caught me the most was Deb K.'s interview with Nolan... Man, he looks intense he isn't takin NO BS. He wants to win bad.. I think if he can some get that fire to the rest the team, this season will be something special.... But then again it was just game 1...

Oh, the hockey "experts" were spiteful,
and the season forecasts were frightful,
but the Leftover Line's tres beau,
let it Snow,
let it Snow,
let it Snow.

Greg Logan,

great first post game article, nice quotes in there from ted and the team. I was hoping for a split in this home and home and thought isles would lose in buff's home opener, they raised the Predidents Trophy banner B4 game and figured they would have the emotion from that to beat the isles. BUT.......I feel the Isles shocked the entire fanbase with that game. Now NVMC will be crazy later, couldnt sleeep so excited. now we must realize drury, briere. and zubris are gome but they still can win their division with their deplh. I think later will be a more defensive game on both sides, put for us to bring a broom there. I can see us 3-0 heading to the Ranjerk game Wed. 2nite sec 327 i will be in in my new edge jersey. The blue one that i have i growing on me, although I couldnt find the whit one anywhere in sporting stores. but the bluse is better.

celebs in full force at NVMC for opener. Confirmed are Brinkley, and Kevin Connelly from Entourage, looking foward to his shootout with Bossy, and lastly the man of the hour, Comrie's babe, Hillary Duff. BUH-BYE CAROL ALT and your Ron Greschner super model at the time persoma. rumors are she left Yashin, couldnt hack russia

above post was not me.

Merrick I am coming with my kid and a few friends with kids. Sitting in 207. I will look for the blue DP jersey and come say hi.

Tought break in the "Bug Game!" It just shows you need more than talent to win it all. You need breaks! ex. The Baltimore game and the kid leaning over with his glove, The Knoblauch game and the phantom tag at 2nd vs. Sox, The Jeter play on Giambi vs. Oakland, The Patriots and the "Tuck Rule," The Mets and Buckner, etc. etc. etc......Great teams get breaks, which is why you never know who will win in sorts.

BIG GAME TONIGHT...Win tonight and the Isles can open a few eyes early.

Stan Fischler: " I definitely think this team can make the playoffs. I think Nolan has his type of players and with Jason Blake gone, the team will be closer!"

When I am wrong I say it. I was one that said this team would miss Blake. I never realized how much of a cancer he was in the locker room. I'm sure he and Mother Tucker are going to be best friends in Toronto! Give it up for the BOBBLEHEADS!!!

p.s JP ~ the bra line was sheer brilliance! Beats the "Todd" line :)

I know it's just one game... but for all you Islander fans slamming the Comrie signing as another selfish player who can't pass.... well, I hope you saw that game last night.

DOC

It's only one game, but this quote alone is a gem:

"I bumped it up to myself with one hand and caught Miller off guard," Comrie said. Recalling his college days at Michigan when he faced Michigan State's Miller, Comrie added: "I've played against him since college. He probably thinks I like to deke a bit."

That was regarding Comrie's 4-4 tie-breakers. Instead of the standard, I got the puck and got a lucky break, it seems to show a guy with a lot of awareness and ability to think as well as react. Granted, it was against Deron Quint in his first game back in the NHL as a D-Man, but Comrie had the prettiest goal last season against the Isles in a home loss to Ottawa late in the year--leaving Quint totally undressed inside th e blueline. I hoping for more to come!

Since we're all critics, however, the only drag on Comrie last night was that he lost 5 of 16 face-offs.

Certainly not the same old Sabres. They definitely miss Drury, Briere & Numminen. To give up 4 goals to that offense isn't good. And, the Buffalo D looks like it belongs in the AHL.

I wouldn't get too excited, this isn't going to continue.

to ranger trolls:

the "leftover line" reference was funny while it lasted. the problem you guys have now is the fact that it's a better line than any ranger line. i can't wait until witt or sutton smash mellon heads shannahan and drury and put them in the hospital again. i don't blame you guys for fearing us. we're bigger than you, have a bruising defence and our coach is better and isn't a little hitler!! see ya in the playoffs, if you're lucky!!