The New York Islanders came into last night’s game four at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a couple of demons still chasing the proud but recently maligned franchise. Leading the best of seven first round series against the gritty Atlantic division champion Florida Panthers, two games to one, Jack Capuano’s squad was looking to win consecutive playoff games for the first time since 2002.
Capuano, who has made all the right moves in the last three weeks or so leading up to this point, did his job yet again, putting out the best 20 skaters he could find and rightfully leaving the rest to their performance and execution of the practiced gameplan. The players could not come through on this night, falling 2-1 in a game that was maybe not as close …show more content…
It was painfully evident last year in the game seven loss to the Washington Capitals and unfortunately, was there for 15,795 to witness last night also.
Now, to be perfectly honest, there is plenty of credit to be thrown around also to the Panthers. They did not win the Atlantic division by proxy, or just showing up. They earned it with a relentless forecheck, a 44-year-young leader in Jaromir Jagr showing them the way and the continued maturity of young defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Not to mention big time performances thus far in this series by Reilly Smith and Nick Bjugstad, two of the Panthers best forwards after four games.
Regardless of me showering the Panthers with the aforementioned love, the Islanders need to move this franchise forward. They have done so off the ice - securing a long term lease to play at Barclays Center, taking away so many questions that players, both on the team currently, and possibly considering signing, have had in the past and lining their pockets with a guaranteed $50 million per season. They have new ownership, Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin, taking the reins next year from Charles Wang. They have a spanking new practice facility being renovated at Eisenhower …show more content…
And on some nights, the paper proves to be right. Problem is, in big situations, it has not. Captain John Tavares is certainly not the issue as he is having an incredible run, netting 8-8-16 in his last eight games, going back to the regular season. Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, playing for contracts, have been good. Thomas Greiss has saved the Islanders bacon in this series, leading to both victories. It’s easy to ascertain. Florida’s middle six are simply outperforming the Islanders middle
Capuano, who has made all the right moves in the last three weeks or so leading up to this point, did his job yet again, putting out the best 20 skaters he could find and rightfully leaving the rest to their performance and execution of the practiced gameplan. The players could not come through on this night, falling 2-1 in a game that was maybe not as close …show more content…
It was painfully evident last year in the game seven loss to the Washington Capitals and unfortunately, was there for 15,795 to witness last night also.
Now, to be perfectly honest, there is plenty of credit to be thrown around also to the Panthers. They did not win the Atlantic division by proxy, or just showing up. They earned it with a relentless forecheck, a 44-year-young leader in Jaromir Jagr showing them the way and the continued maturity of young defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Not to mention big time performances thus far in this series by Reilly Smith and Nick Bjugstad, two of the Panthers best forwards after four games.
Regardless of me showering the Panthers with the aforementioned love, the Islanders need to move this franchise forward. They have done so off the ice - securing a long term lease to play at Barclays Center, taking away so many questions that players, both on the team currently, and possibly considering signing, have had in the past and lining their pockets with a guaranteed $50 million per season. They have new ownership, Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin, taking the reins next year from Charles Wang. They have a spanking new practice facility being renovated at Eisenhower …show more content…
And on some nights, the paper proves to be right. Problem is, in big situations, it has not. Captain John Tavares is certainly not the issue as he is having an incredible run, netting 8-8-16 in his last eight games, going back to the regular season. Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, playing for contracts, have been good. Thomas Greiss has saved the Islanders bacon in this series, leading to both victories. It’s easy to ascertain. Florida’s middle six are simply outperforming the Islanders middle