Isles with another nice win on the back-to-back. Strong defense and goaltending again. H-Sang with a goal. Nelson back, but Hickey still out. On to Vegas on Thursday.
As good as you could hope to play on the second of a back to back. I think we were outshooting then through two periods and controlled a great majority of the game. Isles continue to play well with Ho-Sang in the lineup.
One point from 2nd place and five points from 1st place in the division. Right now the Isles are 8th in the conference. Not bad considering this was supposed to be a down year with JT leaving. This team is a couple of pieces away from making some real noise this year especially with a coach like Trotz.
It makes a world of a difference in hockey when a team has two legitimate skilled offensive players. Ho-Sang is a difference maker which allows other players to get back to their natural roles. Three deep at Center in the NHL is a back breaker for most teams to defend against. Hopefully he continues to mature as a man and he can stay up with big boys.
The centers are playing well behind Barzal, but I still don't trust Nelson who's in a contract year and Filppula is up there in age. IMO, a real #2C who can drive the play(and maybe win some faceoffs) is still a need for this team. But it is nice having a player like Ho-Sang who can drive the play from the wing like a Kane-lite. Hopefully he's here to stay.
I know Nelson gets a bad rap, but when you look at his production it’s come from less ice time and being in third line most of his time with Isles. Now that he’s getting more ice time, all he really needs is a good winger to complement his hard work. I have defended Nelson, he’s been a 20 goal scorer in his short career with terrible coaches and philosophy. I believe he will hit the 25 goal mark again this year. If Isles decides to extend him I would not be upset. If they can give Clutterbuck, Bailey and Mayfield long term deals, then he of all those players deserves one.
Sucks for Hickey, wish him a speedy recovery. I’m also happy for Toews, want to see him get some exposure at the NHL level. Has great instincts as a player, I thought he was going to make team coming out camp, glad he’s getting an opportunity.
I think Lou and Trotz never had any intention of starting the season with any of the prospects up, but we either have to get them on the ice or trade them if going through the growing pains of development isn’t going to be risked.
12 minutes to go and it's a bad game - Isles are being dominated, and careless play has let Vegas come back to lead 3-2 after Isles had a 2-0 lead. Some bad officiating hasn't helped either.
Incredibly bad officiating to close it out - a phantom offside that is called, and a blatant hold that isn't called that turns into an empty net goal. The Isles didn't deserve to win this game, but what a horribly officiated game. Remarkably, the officiating kept getting worse as the game went on.
Calls were just terrible and non calls as well especially as Leddy got hooked and held take your pick
Great road trip. Two stellar defensive efforts against top offenses, Lehner continues to be great, a goal for Ho-Sang who should be here for good, nice game for Toews, and most importantly 6 points! Merry Christmas!
Back at it tonight against Ottawa. They definitely need 2 tonight as they have two tough road games coming up at Toronto tomorrow and Buffalo on Monday. To make matters worse the Caps, Blue Jackets, and Pens are all playing well. The Isles definitely need to take care of business at home tonight vs the Sens and hopefully they can manage at least a split vs Tor/Buf.
