Just when this team has people optimistic, it has a dramatic way of bringing every hope right back down.
The Islanders had one of their worst games of the year tonight, not even getting over 15 shots on goal until the 3rd period and playing generally pisspoor hockey in a game that many saw as one with playoff implications for this team going forward. This is a Leafs team that they're facing again tomorrow and needed to gain momentum against tonight, and they failed in every way possible.
The Leafs got the scoring going early on off an accidental deflection by Mark Streit that was eventually credited to Matt Lombardi. It seemed as if right after this, the entire Islanders team shut down. There was no urgency to their play, they couldn't formulate any attack in the Leafs' zone and were being pressured all night. Nabokov had to stand on his head the entire game, but eventually let another one in early in the 3rd period to a perfectly positioned Phil Kessel who tipped in a rebound on Nabokov's right side. At this point, the moderate amount of effort the Islanders had put on in the 3rd went out the door and Matthew Lombardi would go on to net his 2nd of the night.
This all, once again, comes down to coaching. You look at a team like St. Louis who has no elite players, yet is managing to get things done and is one of the best teams in the league after a coaching change. Jack Capuano stands on the bench with absolutely no emotion, and seems to have failed even over halfway through the season to put a coherent system on the ice. There have been plenty of times where overachieving teams have had success due to great coaching. This won't happen with Capuano as coach, and if he is brought back next season, expect the fanbase to be livid.
Not really much to say here. A pretty bad game by just about everyone that wasn't on the first line. Rolston, Bailey, Streit and Parenteau were the worst of the night, but it's not even fair to call just them out when the whole team collectively, for lack of a better word, sucked.
The Islanders next face off against the Maple Leafs tomorrow night at the Nassau Coliseum. Game time is 7 PM and will be on MSG+2.
If you want to spice up one of your nights, why not go for a couple of Leafs tickets and catch a game being played live? You end up supporting your team and while away the time.
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