Last night’s Rangers-Islanders tilt at Nassau Coliseum (my first visit of the season) was a snapshot of two teams headed in opposite directions.  The Rangers came in riding a hot streak (6 straight wins, second place in the division), while the Isles sorely needed a win (9 losses in their past 10 games, last place in the conference).  It was an intense game, as always, and that intensity boiled over to the stands (a fistfight next to my section needed a few guards to be broken up before the 1st period was over – always good times).

(Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

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Debora Robinson/NHL/Getty Images

With only two games remaining on the Islanders schedule this season I want to take this opportunity to look at a possible move that could shake things up in Islander country.  As of now the Islanders roster is comprised of homegrown talent such as John Tavares, Andrew MacDonald, and Frans Nielsen as well as players getting a second chance like Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner, PA Parenteau, and Al Montoya.

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Paul Bereswill/Getty Images Can we get this guy an Isles helmet please?

The Islanders inked goaltender Al Montoya to a one-year contract extension.  Montoya has been exceptional since joining the Islanders compiling an 8-4-4 record to go along with his stellar .928 save percentage.  All while wearing his San Antonio Rampage helmet in every start he has made claiming he doesn’t want to jinx his play and change helmets.  Well I think it is about time to start designing Mr. Monyota a new Isles mask.

The beauty behind this signing is that Montoya was acquired in exchange for a 2011 6^th round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes midway through the season as the Islanders went through a slew of injuries to their netminders.

This is a great signing for the Isles for many reasons.  One, Montoya has been very impressive between the pipes and seems focused to prove to everyone that he is an NHL goalie after things didn’t pan out according to plan since being taken 6^th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2004 draft.  He has been extremely consistent for this young club, giving them a chance to win every night since his arrival.  Two, with DiPietro’s never ending injury brigade, Montoya brings stability to a team with playoff expectations next season.  Without a legitimate back up to DiPietro this team doesn’t stand a chance.  Lastly, it allows young goalie prospects Kevin Poulin and Mikko Koskinen the proper time to develop in the minors.  Furthermore, I know he has only seen action in 17 games this season but I feel he can make the leap to become an NHL starter.  Not to mention his contract is 14 years shorter than DiPietro’s.  At this point I could take a shot at Rick but I am a DP supporter the man will not give up and perhaps by some sort of miracle he can regain form which would be an incredible boost to this team.  I do not agree with handing any player especially a goaltender a 15 year deal, but what’s done is done and Isles fans need to move on.

Montoya was just an afterthought in the Coyotes organization with Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera manning the cage for the Yotes and prospect Matt Climie seeing the majority of the rubber for the San Antonio Rampage.  Montoya a once highly touted first round pick was relegated to AHL back up.

I will trust Garth Snow’s opinion of a goaltender afterall he was a serviceable netminder in his days.  I will also trust a goaltender who posted an 86-29-8 record in three years with the University of Michigan, led USA to its first World Junior Championship gold medal in 2004, and has a chip on his shoulder to prove he is an NHL starter.

Montoya stones Marty St. Louis

As of today there are five NHL teams that can boast that they have two 30 goal scorers on their roster this season.  These teams are the first place in the NHL Vancouver Canucks (Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler), the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks (Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp), defending Eastern Conference Champions holding the best record in the East Philadelphia Flyers (Danny Briere and Jeff Carter), the Anaheim Ducks (Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan) who are clutching onto the final playoff spot in the West, and the final team rounding out this list…I’ll give you a hint, they currently sit in second to last place in the Eastern Conference…Give up?…it’s the New York Islanders with Michael Grabner and Matt Moulson with 30 goals each.

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Written by: Eric Conway

The Islanders lost their third consecutive game last night by a score of 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers.  The latest loss makes the Isles victims in 14 of their last 17 games.  The Islanders battled hard with the Flyers for the first two periods leading 2-1 going into the second intermission.  Two power play goals by the Flyers in the third period secured the victory over the struggling Islanders.

The winning goal was recorded by Simon Gagne, who has scored in each of his last three games.  The goal came by way of a power play thanks in part to a bonehead penalty taken by recent call-up Trevor Gillies.  Can someone please explain to me what this guy was doing on the ice in a tie game with seven minutes remaining in regulation?  He is 31 years old and a notorious figher in the minor leagues, playing in only his third NHL game.  The penalty opened the door for the Flyers and they capitalized.  It was not a snipe by any means, as Gagne attempted to pass it across to teammate Mike Richards standing at the doorstep.  The puck luckily deflected off Mark Streit’s stick and past Dwayne Roloson with 6:06 remaining in the third period.

Soon to be free agent (cough Garth Snow try and sign this guy) Jeff Carter, scored his 31st goal of the season off a beautiful feed from Danny Briere.  The game was nodded up by Claude Giroux who snuck a pretty backhander past a sprawling Roloson.

The Islanders offense was provided by Kyle Okposo who fired a laser right under the crossbar and surprise surprise John Tavares.  Tavares’ goal was his 18th of the season and snapped his 17 game slump without a goal.  Even though it was not a particularly pretty goal, it was a goal nonetheless and can hopefully give the kid some much needed confidence as the season winds down for the Islanders.

Some Sidenotes:

The Flyers have now beat the Islanders 15 straight times, the longest current streak in the NHL of one team against another.  The all-time streak for one team beating another is owned by the Boston Bruins, as they dominated the Ottawa Senators for 17 straight games in the mid 90s.

Robbie Schremp suffered a right knee injury and will be evaluated by team doctors on Wednesday.

Overall, the Isles did some good things out there against a much bigger Flyers team.  They held their own for two periods before the Flyers were able to make a comeback thanks to two power play goals in the third.  Once again Roloson did everything he could to get the Islanders a victory.  The Islanders will play host to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night where they will battle with U.S. Olympians Erik Johnson and David Backes.  I really like the Blues this season.  They are 6 points out of the last playoff spot in the west so expect them to come out hungry.  Keep an eye out for University of Michigan product TJ Oshie.  This kid can do it all.

Written By: Eric Conway

It pains me to report this, but Islanders rookie, Andrew Macdonald, left the arena last night in a boot and will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot.  This comes the day after the Islanders traded veteran defenseman, Andy Sutton to the Ottawa Senators for a 2^nd round draft pick.  Macdonald has blended in nicely since his call-up from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and has proven himself as an immediate contribuor for the Isles.  The Islanders rewarded his solid play by signing him to a 4 year extension over the Olympic break.  Macdonald was selected in the 6^th round, 160^th overall in the 2006 NHL draft.  He played junior hockey under former Islander head coach Ted Nolan, who was the reason the Islanders drafted him in 2006.  Macdonald has posted 1 goal to go along with his 5 assists in his 39 contests for the Islanders this season.

In my opinion, this is a tough loss coming out of the Olympic break.  The Isles just traded away Andy Sutton who logged a lot of minutes and was a physical presense and now we lose Macdonald.  Hopefully recent call-up Defenseman, Dustin Kohn can step up and fill the role as the Isles remain in the fight for the final playoff spot.  The Islanders are 5 points out of the last spot and are coming off a big win against one of the NHL’s top teams, the Chicago Blackhawks.  The Islanders will try and inch closer to the final spot as they take on the Atlanta Thrashers tomorrow.

What Do You Think Islander fans? Can we make the playoffs?

Photo Credit: islanderspointblank.com

Written by:  Eric Conway

The Islanders will look to avenge their tough loss on Saturday against the Bruins tonight as they head to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers.  This is the fifth of six meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals.  The Flyers have won all four meetings this season so far, with three of the four wins coming by a score of 2-1.

With the Islanders playoff hopes dangling by a thread, this is as close to a must win game in March as you will see in the NHL.  They have slipped down to second to last in the Eastern Conference and are a lofty 9 points back of the 8th and final playoff spot occupied now by the Boston Bruins.  The Isles have only 17 games remaining on their schedule to make a run at the last spot. In my estimation, they would have to win at least 12 of those games to be in the running.

Prediction:

I am feeling extremely bold today and will say that the Isles will snap their winless streak against the Flyers tonight by a score of 5-3.  To further make myself look insane, I will even predict a goal by John Tavares that will snap his 17 game drought without a goal.  The kid had 15 goals in his first 31 games in the NHL and today he is going to break out of this abominable slump.

I know Isles fans are down right now, but you really have to look at the positives of this season.  With a win tonight, the team surpasses their point total of a year ago where they finished dead last in the league.  Hopefully the Islanders can muster up a total team effort and get the victorty tonight considering it will be nationally televised on Versus.  Puck drops at 7:30 PM eastern time.  Hopefully, the picture above will bring back some memories…

Photo credit:  lessinglets.com

What do you think Islander fans?