DP Returns, Can’t Stop Isles Slide
March 21st, 2007 by murph
Is it time to panic yet? Appearing in his first game since his “general body soreness” injury, DP stopped 36 of 40 shots but couldn’t stop the Islanders from losing in OT to the Lightning.
Nevertheless, the loss was the fourth straight on a road trip for the Islanders, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit with three second-period goals against Johan Holmqvist, an embattled goaltender who rebounded from the Lightning’s 7-1 loss to Washington on Sunday to beat New York for the fourth time.
Tampa Bay swept the season series from the Islanders 4-0 and has beaten New York eight consecutive times.
The Islanders went 0-3-1 on their trip and dropped to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, one point and three spots below the playoff cutoff in the Eastern Conference.
The team’s defense is still porous, allowing the Islanders to be outshot 40-24 in the game. Coach Nolan is pissed, even demoting Captain Yashin to the fourth line for a defensive lapse.
Yashin lost track of Vincent Lecavalier just before the NHL’s leading goal scorer netted his 49th of the season to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead at 1:50 of the second period. Yashin had only 12 shifts and 9:22 of ice time. “Whether it’s our captain or not, you have to perform,” Nolan said. “At this time of the year, there’s no excuses.
“He’s been back now for [six] games. Losing a guy on the second goal, that’s inexcusable at this time of year. You can lose certain people, but we have to play with a certain urgency, with some grit, and whoever doesn’t won’t get too much ice time.”
The Islanders are running out of time to right the ship - 10 games left all against playoff teams, except for two against the Flyers who are playing much better than they did earlier in the season. Pittsburgh Thursday, Philly Friday, and a monster matchup with the Rangers on Sunday (NBC NHL Game of the Week). Islanders Army will be tailgating at 10am for the Rangers game. Newsday reports there are still 1200 tickets available.
fauxrumors Says
1) One can look at the bright side and say that the Isles still have their fate in their own hands with games against the teams they have to beat out.
2) The bad news is that since Yashin’s return this team has struggled. Is it a mere coincidence that they surged when he went down?
3) We believe the mistake they made was the demotion of Tambellini. He brought speed/energy to a team lacking in both areas
Mar 21st, 2007 at 12:29 pm