This post was published 14 years 4 months 16 days ago which may make its content inapplicable to the current Islanders roster and/or team news. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.Three things come to mind about tonight’s game, three very important things. First, being a new year the Islanders need to overcome whatever “Rangers Hangover” stigma results in the game following playing their crosstown rivals. Number two, the Islanders need to play a solid 60 minutes and remain out of the penalty box. And finally, number three – the Isles need to maintain the lead late in the game.
Somewhat troublesome is the fact that the team has not been able to keep the opposition off the score sheet during the third period, three games in a row. It happened with Montreal, it happened again with Columbus and it almost happened again with the Rangers. Chalk it up to being tired, chalk it up to confidence – I don’t really know, but the team just needs to figure this one out. They started the season not being able to keep the opponent from scoring very early in the game – they would trail and never be able to get back in. Then it started with a poor performance late in the game, so maybe they can finally just dominate when they stick to their game plan for a solid 60 minutes.
The team they are playing in Atlanta tonight has trouble of their own, another team that cannot seem to find their identity so it is a big opportunity for them. A win tonight would mean the Islanders leapfrog the Thrashers in the standings and it would give them three wins in a row – a winning streak in anyone’s book.
I managed to catch most of the game the other night on my slingbox from the hotel room, not really sure what is going on today after the show – but I will try to post and catch the game if I can.
It’s up to Gordon to keep this team up for the third period as a coach and it’s up to Guerin and Weight to do it from the players’ side.
Not collapsing against the Rangers in the Garden will hopefully give this team a lot of confidence, especially with MacDonald outplaying Lundqvist.
Yep, I was just feeling good going into the third here, then I remembered “gee, I’ve felt this way before.” Hopefully they’ve learned their lesson and shut this one down.
Well Dom,
Here we go again – 3 to 3
Well, so much for holding this third-period lead.
Is this the 4th straight 3-goal period for an Islanders opponent? That has to be a franchise record.
They just flashed a stat…ATL hasn’t won when trailing in the 3rd period this season….
Unbelievable, I would say amazing but they just suck so much in the third.
IslesFanInCA,
Could be a league record. lol
*beating head against wall*
While there’s much more blame to go around, that MacDonald delay-of-game right after Atlanta scored the first one … that really chafes.
Lots of pressure here by Atlanta, they are going to win.
Dom, that was a turning point for sure.