Well let me start by saying that I have been rooting for the Islanders for 30 years now, a lot of bad seasons, I even saw 2 islanders players kiss after scoring a goal quite some time ago. We have been waiting for the other shoe to drop for a long time now during this season, but unless they have injuries to their main players, they are for real. They finally have a good goaltender and depth on defense. When I was a young man, I hated every team in the NHL, but as I grew up and matured, I realized I love the game too much, so now I just love to watch hockey, still rooting for the isles to win every Stanley cup but I can watch the Rangers, Devils, Sabres, anyone, even the Penguins as long as they lose.
Menace I have gone to a few games every year for as long as I can remember. In 93 I had a partial season ticket package and went to every payoff game ! We have waited a long long time for this team to turn things around, in 93 they would have won the cup, zero doubt in my mind that it would have happened instead Dale Hunter mugged Pierre Turgenev ( I was there it happened pretty much in front of me ) and we lost Turgeon for the rest of the playoffs. Brook if you have never watched hockey , give it a try it is fast and fun and if you can get to a game it is a really fun time. This team is very much for real and like every other sport needs to stay healthy and have some luck. I will say it again you can give me any rivalry you want in any sport but nothing beats Islander vs Ranger playoff games NOTHING! Years ago there was no Internet or access to games ,we would find a bar or place that was televising the playoff games ( much like we used to do for fights in boxing ) and pay our way and go watch and scream,,,,best times!
Thanks Red Menace and CBG I have been to one Devils game in my life. And I was drunk as hell so couldn't really follow what was going on. The crowd was really into it though so I am sure it is more exciting than baseball and basketball. I wish you guys success. If you guys make it to the finals. I will root for you as hell. Too bad Devils and Rangers came close to winning it all but couldn't do it past few years. I hope you guys can get over the hump and bring the cup to New York.
It will be a real good test for them. if they can overcome it, then this team will make a run for the cup
What can oh say another quality win tonight,,,sounded as if the barn was really rockin,,,,,,Okposso out sucks !
Ok, how much more does Garth Snow need to see from Chad Johnson to never allow this guy to suit up? Everyone on the ice knows he is not going to keep them in games, c'mon already! And why do we still have special teams coach? The islanders have 2 glaring holes on this team that must be addressed if they expect to succeed in the playoffs. The backup goalie and the penalty kill. They are last in the NHL in killing penalties, why is it that the guy in charge of the penalty kill coaching has not been fired yet?
I am old enough to say I was an Isles fan during their dynasty. Mike Bossy is still my favorite hockey player of all time. They had some good years with Pat LaFontaine and one nice run with Pierre Turgeon. Other than that it feels like they have been a dead franchise for almost 30 years! Really exciting to see them in the mix this year.
Totally stacked! They got even better as they added guys like Butch Goring, Bob Bourne, etc. Came damn close to winning 5 straight until Gretzky's Oiler team knocked them off in the Finals.
It was just too tough for them to win that 5 th cup, and give them oceans of credit for even making the finals that year . The Oilers were young and beyond good and the Islanders were getting old and Bossy was hurting very badly with his back,,,,,,,,that said I believe we ave currently lost 4 in a row and need to get ack on track !
Despite the loss I thought they played well tonight. The next 4 are against the Sabres, Oilers, Maple Leafs, and Jackets. Three of these are home so unless the Isles fuck up they should come away with 8 points this week.