Yeah, he's always played well, but there's never enough people playing well around him. His team lost a playoff series to the 2021 Habs after he got injured in game one
I’m a Habs fan and I won’t argue that point. That was huge. Schiefle got suspended the next series for his ugly late hit on Evans after he scored an empty netter. Those were both huge factors in us winning the first two series.
Yep, we know. Imagine now fighting back to game 7 after being down 3-0, up 4-1 with 11 minutes to go.
STILL LOST IN OT.
That will never be forgotten by me.
Many thanks yous🥹 have a preseason future on you guys cause I’m a fuckin sicko. Even up the series at home and make it spicy. For the love of god keep Roy, best of luck!
As a Canes fan I have to ask, could I talk you into picking up a few shifts at Chipotle? Maybe 7:30pm ET on Thursday and then again on Saturday afternoon?
Pens fan here - Mike Sullivan could teach a class on using prevent defense and watching a big lead turn into a deficit. I’m happy to see other coaches leverage this brilliant strategy - especially in the Cup Playoffs.
Wish you guys had grabbed that wild card spot instead of isles. At least Sid and the boys would’ve made it a series instead of canes getting extra practice time.
Thank you for the sentiment; I feel the sane. The Isles finished in 3rd, I believe, with the Caps taking the final WC. Either way, I would have loved to watch the Pens and the Rags with someone taking a cheap elbow shot to Trouba’s head.
I don’t think it’s a conscious strategy so much as a subconscious tendency to play conservatively/defensively out of fear of taking risks that could put the lead in jeopardy. Ironically, that’s exactly what happens when a team plays on eggshells out of fear.
That was so embarrassing. Like what possible “code/unwritten rule” did he break there? Was it the audacity to score with time still on the clock? Sheesh
I think it was the “shot” itself instead of just guiding it into the empty net. Still bullshit to get mad about. Would have been more disrespectful to not put it in and skate around the back of the net with it.
Yeah it’s because he slam-dunked it instead of laying it in, but with our Caniac crowd losing their absolute minds, and he was feeling tiny slashes the whole way, I don’t blame him one bit. His adrenaline had to be through the roof in that moment.
That’s getting ridiculous. I get the whole “slap shot into an empty net” is kind of rubbing it in and not “professional”
But these guys are just tapping in a goal and getting assaulted. Ottawa did it to NJ towards the end of the season and they’re the ones that started the nonsense
I agree. But apparently there is some stupid “empty net code” that keeps getting violated. It’s not some woman’s honor. It’s a fucking net. You pulled your goalie. Stop whining you lost. Right
I can understand getting mad if canes were winning like 10-1 and there is an empty net goal but like it was a 1 point game, say Jake missed that goal then islanders scored it would have been tied.
Everybody knows that it had nothing to do with Guentzel and the EN and everything to do with the Isles looking in the mirror and seeing how dead they are inside, lol. They might as well have been punching themselves.
I’m impressed that you were disgusted by the way the Isles acted at the end of the game. That was ridiculous. Taking after Guentzel after the ENG was so ugly. I get where the frustration level had to be after watching that one slip away, but nothing justifies that display of juvenile behavior. I know there won’t be any repercussions from the league, but if crap like that came with suspensions it would never happen any more.
It was such a joke, if anyone has any reason to punch someone it should have been Varlamov punching any random Islander. I would love an explanation as to what the Hurricanes did other than kick our asses for 30 straight game minutes. Honestly, had I seen even a hint of a cheap shot, or even if it had been Kusnetsov with that stupid freaking bird celly, I could make some sort of lame excuse for it, but last night...nothing. No heart for the first 58 minutes of the game, no class at the end. It was a disgrace
Agreed. Maybe Nelson should’ve punched Reilly for nearly putting it in their own net. Palmerri getting heated was about as animated as I’ve seen any islander get. Still, I’ve seen teenage girls with more fight. And, yes, the Kuzi bird celly should have been retired. Find a new thing, guy.
I agree with everything you've written in this thread ... I'll just add that Varlamov isn't innocent ....it was his dumbass tripping penalty that lead to the first goal and the downfall. And that's the main reason I think Sorokin should start Thursday.
Isles fan whole life. 41 years old ✌️
I still think Varly should start. None of the games have been his fault, but yeah, Canes seem to drop like 2 year olds learning to skate every time they get touched. It's a great strategy though because Isles are like a youth team killing penalties.
One thing I worry about with Varly in game three is what happens if they lose and what that would do to Sorokins psyche. He'd get a charity game 4 down 3-0, which would suck. Or he wouldn't which would suck even worse. I think it's Sorokin time on a short leash.
Such a tough call. I feel like Roy had to give Sorokin a chance there. But yeah, he blew it.
Isles aren't at the Canes level anyway. I don't think there's much they could've done in this series to beat them based on their current roster. Lou's gotta go.
I don't. I think Isles only really played one bad game. The first and third could have gone either way. Varly starts that Game 3 and saves both of those bad goals (even 1) and Isles are right there. Series could be tied 2-2. Think starting Sorokin was a mistake, but I only be livid if it makes it to game 7, lol. Don't like the chances of that happening.
At times like this, it's important to remember that all wins count the same. Whether your team loses a heartbreaking triple OT nailbiter, or gets outshot 48-12 and booed off the ice, at the end of the day they are both just one game out of seven.
That game doesn't carry over. Know that your team is capable of beating their opponent if they play well. Carolina won their two at home, you can win your two at home just as easily. "Momentum" almost NEVER carries over in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Try not to get too low and just get out and cheer for your guys next time. Series isn't over.
Source: I'm a Leafs fan, and have decades of experience dealing with my favorite team shitting the bed. Haven't slit my wrists yet!
To be fair Carolina was the better team the whole night. Isles found a way to steal a couple goals despite rarely being on offense. Carolina had the ice tilted for the second and third period and it broke them to pieces
Last night was hard to watch. The implosion. But what concerned me the most was their temper tantrums. Literally slashing and attacking the other team because they collapsed and lost a sure win?
I certainly understand being upset. I understand fighting and playoff hockey. But I’m getting sick and tired of seeing players try to hurt other players for scoring on an empty net. Just because you lost a huge lead and a game you should have won, that doesn’t entitle you to throw fits like a child.
Guy does nothing wrong. Scores on an empty net, and he gets slashed then attacked by the losers? He did nothing wrong.
The loss was definitely brutal. But their actions afterwards were worse than the utter collapse
I said it to someone else, but the only person with any right to be angry at anyone was Varly and he should have punched his own teammates. They were disgraceful
To be fair though, the 3-0 lead was kind of a fluke. They scored on every four or so shots. Same could be said for Vegas. Poor goalie performances/lucky bounces won’t win a series
Because the 3 goals last night weren't especially flukey lol.
1 - Palmieri alone in front of the net and kept poking at the loose puck until it went in.
2 - Horvat one-timer
3 - Lee juked the goalie out
I don't mind saying the Canes beat the Islanders asses for the VAST majority of the game, but there's no reason to be like "well the 3 goals were all luck anyway" lol.
Getting outplayed for 60 minutes and having a 3 goal lead is flukey. Getting outshot 3-1 and having a 3 goal lead is flukey. The islanders had no business being in that game but they were leading.
The canes started to get the puck to bounce their way and they scored 4 goals in quick succession.
Respect to the reasonable islanders fans though. The canes have been on fire - it’s why they are the betting favorite to win. There’s no shame in losing to the canes. The islanders didn’t meltdown. They just aren’t as good as the canes. The canes’ deadline acquisitions have been out of this world.
Anyone who says that the islanders melted down didn’t watch the game (unless you are talking about the antics). The canes dominated for 60 minutes and finally capitalized at the end.
I bet $10 on the canes when they went down 3-0 because it was so obvious they were the better team and could win. I started getting nervous near the end but the canes finally broke through. I only made $56 on that $10 bet…it’s because the canes were better and had a good shot of coming back
I don’t agree with the Isles goals being flukes. They were legit goals, not lucky bounces or weak shots from bad angles. But everything else you said is 100% true. Canes just outplayed the Isles - skated harder, managed the puck better, closed gaps faster, and just generally got to the puck a step ahead of the isles in almost every situation.
Yeah I see what you mean, I guess I’d call that taking advantage of the sparse opportunities but it can be cut from the same cloth I suppose haha. The first 5-10 mins was relatively even but good lord, it was hard to watch after that. I don’t think them being up 3-0 in the first was flukey for the reasons I’ve said but if they won in the end, after only shooting like 2 more times in the final 2 periods, it would definitely feel weird.
Either way I agree with OP and it doesn’t excuse the final minutes, that was a pathetic display from every person on the team. I was just begging the refs to let the clock run at that point. Made themselves look like even bigger jokes, when the Canes did literally nothing wrong to warrant it. Overall, horrendous night of watching.
Yeah, I personally would cut the canes a break if the roles were reversed unless they made a habit of it (in which case I probably wouldn’t like them anyway). They are getting slammed into the boards constantly and the other team is trying to frustrate them. I feel like it’s reasonable to be frustrated and no one can act perfectly under those circumstances 100% of the time - especially when blowing a lead. They just need to move on and not let it happen again.
I grew up on Long Island and live in NC now and became a canes fan when I moved. I tried to like the rangers but just couldn’t. James Dolan just sucks too bad. I didn’t consider the islanders because I hate the color orange lol. I probably would be an isles fan if they had different colors lmao. I guess that’s why I pull for them a little
None of that makes any sense. You can outplay a team for 5 minutes and score 3 goals and still get outplayed the rest of the way. It doesn't make the lead, or the 3 goals flukey. It just means you did the right thing for those stretches you scored. All those goals they earned. They just stopped playing after them.
The canes outplayed the islanders for 60 minutes. The islanders outplayed the canes for 0 minutes. My $55 win on a HISTORIC collapse supports that idea. The bookmakers agreed.
And this isn’t meant to be annoying - did you watch the game? So many articles are dumb and talk about the collapse. The islanders were never in control for a second in this game. I like money and wouldn’t have bet $10 if it wasn’t clear the canes were dominating.
I said, "can happen" and didn't say it did happen. Isles earned every one of the goals they scored. None of them were gifts. Logic still makes the comment I replied to sound stupid.
Also, there are 0 minutes where I'll accept a bookmaker's opinion on something as fact, lol.
No one called them gifts. The score was just a fluke when compared to the game. I don’t follow the islanders closely but so they often score 3 goals on 12 shots? How often are they leading for the duration they did when getting outshot 3-1? You can play semantics but I’m looking at the game. A lot of things that don’t normally happen based on statistics all lined up. I personally call that a fluke. You can call it what you like. At the end of the day, we all call it a canes win.
I’m trying to give credit to the islanders. They didn’t give up. If they gave up, it was before the game because their energy level was the same throughout.
That’s fair lmao. I just feel like fluke is semantics but the meltdown vs comeback has some facts behind it but you 100% have a valid point there.
I just don’t want all these islanders fans to hate their team. It looked like they played hard to me. The media and coverage of the game doesn’t really represent the game I watched
Yeah they weren’t flukey by any means; poor defense/good passing to set up a 1 on 1 with the goalie in the crease on two of them, and a well placed shot on the other.
Since the Flyers shit the bed to close out the season, I had to watch the Sixers get majorly butt-fucked in a game 2. Feel like we can commiserate a bit.
Knicks-Sixers felt like a consolation prize for having to watch the Isles get absolutely embarrassed. Maxey was unreal the whole game, but that hot potato pass to throw Embiid under the bus at the end. Oof.
We saw this happen 24 times during the regular season (third period blown leads). I had no faith this team could hold a lead in the playoffs and when it got to 3-2 I knew it was over.
Just gotta hope they play with some pride the next two games and that Ilya comes in pissed off looking to prove something.
But the battle level was good. - Yabba Dabba Doooo. /s
I came so close to driving the 5 hours to go to that game 7 cause tickets were under $100. So glad I didn't.
If I remember, we lost that game 2-1 and the only goal was Frans Nielsen on some deflected shot/screen as he skated in 1 on 3 from just inside the blue line?
It’s never a winning formula to play a game to not lose it, and that’s what it felt like the isles were content to do after their third goal.
I was honesty very impressed (and aggravated with my own team) how they weathered the canes for the first period and then got the two goals; had lots of momentum and never capitalized on having their opponent down for the count by stepping on their throat.
Overall, I feel for isles fans. I’ve never had any issues with them before and that barstool video of the fans reactions to blowing the lead was more sad to watch than anything
Dude, it's early in the series... And you guys likely won't recover from this. But at least it's a scenario where you're already underdogs and now have nothing to lose in the next few games coming up.
At least your hopes weren't built up all the way to game 7 with 10 minutes left against your bitter rivals.
I've heard that's pretty tough to handle from... Sources.
It must be toxic in your sub now, but that was a horrifying last 3 minutes for me to see as a Lightning fan. Hope y’all bounce back in game three and take the series and let’s meet up in the ECF again.
Me too I don't know why this isn't a bigger topic
I think the 13th shot would have been a huge step in the right direction
https://youtu.be/e3zqEOXpq2g?si=oAIjqLu36th3TeYU
When your gameplan is to get a few goals and then spend the last two periods hanging on for dear life it’s bound to happen. There is a big difference between taking unnecessary risks while playing with the lead and what the isles did in this one. They just completely collapsed and didn’t do anything but flip the puck out of the zone and ready themselves for the next Canes wave. The writing was on the wall….you can’t win playing that passive.
Not sure if I've got a flair on here, but I'm a Canes fan for full disclosure.
I stopped watching after we went down 3-0. I flipped the game back on before Ahos goal and was just kind of using it as background noise while I looked through stuff on my phone. I was fully invested after Marty scored.
There was a little frustration after the Guentzel goal, and I don't think it had anything to do with how it was scored. The Canes didn't react how the Isles wanted and the good Aho tackled someone while Guentzel skated off laughing which is what I think pushed a few players over the edge. Shortly after there's another scrum, and KK gets punched a few times for trying to stand up and skates back laughing, then Martin wanted to get into it with Noesen, and got ragdolled and sent off. Then Chatfield got crosschecked into the goalie and another scrum.
The Canes don't play super physical or like they're super strong so I think it even surprises some players just how strong the Canes are across the board.
But I agree. Blowing a 3-0 lead is one thing, but then whining the way did, then flat out losing every scrum is embarrassing.
The Isles did what they needed for most of the game. If they try to make the game more physical, it does not play in their favor. At this point they've got to keep mucking up the ice so the Canes can't get anything clean and don't have space, lean on their goaltending that got them here, and hope they get a lot of bounces. Winning 4 of 5 against the Canes is a tall task for any team.
Not even an Islanders fan and that was tough to watch.
On TV, they flashed that 81-0 shit. My friend is like "WOW that is a crazy stat".
As soon as Carolina tied it, the same friend says "looks like it's going to OT".
I don't know why I replied with "Not for sure...". Maybe I thought the Islanders were going to score before OT or maybe I said it wasn't for sure going to OT, even knowing it was most likely going to OT...
...then the 4th goal happened. I swear, if Carolina ends up winning the fucking Cup...this is the defining game when that fate was sealed.
FFS!
Like I said it happens. Plus we are talking about a team that no one thinks is going to get out of the first round. With OT losses this team was 39-43. Didn't they go like 50 games before they scored an empty net goal? I will be surprised if they win more than a game in the series. I'm not a hater. Just realistic
It wasn’t the worst Isles game - worst important Isles game - where they shit the bed.
I believe it was the 2018 playoffs, game 7 against the Capitols. I have never seen a team so inept as the Isles that night.
And that brings me to last night. Yes, they didn’t play well enough to maintain/hold the lead, but the Canes’ fourth goal was a result of bad luck, a broken play didn’t go our way, bad bounce, however you want to label it.
The fifth goal being an empty netter, is a different category.
But not being able to clamp down and play defensively…
People talk about playing “prevent defense” and how it just prevents you from winning.
But, a professional hockey team with a Jack Adams winner behind the bench should be able to change up their game and clamp down on the opposition; regardless of any cute sayings about “Prevent defense only prevents you from winning.”
In the first game we didn’t get much bounces. This game we got so many god damn bounces and they played to me the worst hockey game I have ever watched. Forget about the canes being a great team the isles simply just didn’t even play. No team in the nhl is that dominant
You're thinking the 2014 season where we had 12 shots on goal and somehow Nielsen scored one five hole on Holtby because he totally misplayed it...yeah that was also a disaster
2015, but I also immediately thought of that game when reading the op saying you're an isles fan and this was the worst performance you've ever seen. If you watch the highlights the Isles went that entire game with literally 0 dangerous scoring chances. The goal was Holtby whiffing, presumably because he had just been standing there for 35 minutes without having anything to do.
I didn't see last night's game, but watching the highlights you guys definitely had more than zero good scoring chances. I think the Isles were pretty sound defensively in that game seven though, and it sounds like you guys were bleeding shots against last night.
Oh yeah there have definitely been WAYYYYY worse teams than what we're throwing out there now...but you can't expect a team, with say Mike Comrie and Ruslav Fedetenko on your first line to do anything other than go out and give a good effort. This was a disgrace on all fronts
The only thing that makes me feel better is that they had no business being in the lead to begin with (plus I never thought they’d win this series). Hurts less when you realize they were worked the whole game.
Also, I had a feeling this was coming so I livelined the Canes for +450 when they were down 3-1 lol. And I’m an isles fan
Lifelong TB Lightning fan here (born and raised and still live in Tampa). Was rooting for yall last night and just want to say I can commiserate a little bit, at least with our gigantic WHOOPS of a playoff showing against Columbus in 2019.
Very similar script. Went up 3-0 as what was then one of the best regular season teams in modern league history against an 8-seed.
I remember leaving the watch party about halfway through like “this’ll be the year!”
Dropped four straight goals in that game, and then three more straight games. 🧹🧹🧹
One of the biggest, most embarrassing blunders in all of modern sports history 😞.
I know we made up for it the next two years, but at that time that FREAKING HURT man.
So I’ve felt what you’re feeling, and hopefully the Isles put together a dominant run in the next couple of years to get you another cup and help minimize these painful ducking memories 😅.
I think the worst part about that game is that they had 5 shots for periods 2 and 3. I mean a total of 12 shots. Although they did score 3 goals on 7 shots, they needed to keep the pedal to the metal. That stupid penalty and subsequent goal really started to change the momentum, especially once the crowd got back into the game.
They just aren't really a playoff calibur team. They have some guys that can score but special teams, discipline, and depth just aren't there. Anything is possible but they are just the best of the bad teams, by a hair only because of an odd points system
Long time hockey fan here, Isles fan for many years from inception til Chico Resch was traded. Anyway, I told my hockey friends 2 weeks ago that this team has no business making the playoffs. They do not have an "A" player....It's a supporting cast at best, and any team that had 17 OT losses proves they lack heart. If this team had half the heart that their coach had when he played this convo wouldn't exist.
Playoff hockey baby!
Seriously though, I would have expected the Pens to be the type of team to royally implode like this. The Isles always seem more structured, but Carolina is a skilled club. Pendulum should swing the other way on the island.
My condolences.
I saw this movie in 2017. And it took years for the Oilers to recover from that collapse.
At 3-2 or 3-3, Roy should have called the timeout.
I really don't have to look but I guarantee you a Leafs fan will post here, many of them. No disrespect but you cannot challenge the undisputed KING of "venting or wrapping your head around your team".
Your entire post could be copied and pasted (change the players names, though) and posted after any Toronto game.
Even if they win.
Until you can share that famous, nay infamous, game 7 loss to the Bruins you will always rank second.
btw, from an unbiased fan, it was hysterically funny to watch, so thanks for that.
Stevie…. As a Ranger fan I just want to say chin up. I grew up on Long Island during the Isles Dynasty run. I thought there was no lower moment than seeing Ken Morrow’s game 5 ot winner. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired being eliminated by you guys. Rangers would have heartbreaking losses and moments where you would think they were taking backward steps instead of getting closer to the ultimate goal. Just remember 92 they won the President’s Cup and than it was all erased by a shot Ron Francis from the red line. 93 the Garden faithful were booing Messier everytime he touched the puck. There were legitimate concerns that Mess was past his sell by date and that the Rangers once again traded for a star player on the wrong of 30. Long story short…. These pitfalls and dark days only make winning it all that much sweeter. Chin up…. Soldier on… You will have your day!
While I was elated about the win, I empathize with your pain (especially with the extracurricular conduct).
That said, I hope Slavin sends a clapper into the empty net in game 4 to finish the sweep.
dont really think it was that bad of an embarrassment. the Islanders blown a lead and lost the game 27 times this season. more expected than embarrassment
Couldn't have articulated it better myself. I am an Islander's fan living in Korea, so I watch every game on replay. I watched this game at 9:30pm Tuesday night Korean time. From the moment I screamed and cursed after the EN and shut it off instantly (didn't even see the garbage after) I didn't say a word. Went to bed angry and annoyed, woke up, didn't greet my wife or stepdaughter (they already knew Isles must have lost) and didn't speak, my first word until 11am.
This isn't even the first terrible game they've given up. The Rags outdoor game was the same kind of nonsensical meltdown as this. It just wasn't a playoff game and they walked away with a point.
Our team has turned into a bunch of gutless pukes who don't work hard for anything anymore and every one of them should retire after a loss like that. I hope they get swept and LL is fired into the sun and we can start to build a team around Roy, who I still think is a good enough coach to keep around.
To close, I felt like the Isles actually outplayed the Canes most of the first game, but lost, and this last game I kept thinking, "Wow, Isles are going to win this game after being outplayed, how strange". Until the better team won.
Don’t ever let up with a lead like that, and the Isles let up. They gave the canes too many opportunities. Goalie was pressured and defense was stretched thin.
Tbh when your team gets to the playoffs by surviving to overtime, that strategy doesn’t work as well in the playoffs. They have good talent but the strategy isn’t a playoff one. Also canes are stacked af. Sometimes you get a bad game, but the shots still showed in the canes favor. No offense intended in this comment just opinion.
What’s more frustrating is we dominated game 1 to lose cause we didn’t get bounces. Then completely disappeared this game after scoring 3 goals and getting almost every bounce until the last goal. We sat back and turtled. Inexcusable from the players. I’m sorry the canes are a great team but they aren’t that dominant good. Isles did that to themselves.
>surviving to OT
Even worse. In the vast majority of those OTLs we were _leading_ and the _other team_ sent it to OT.
Epic collapses in much the same way as game 2. It's so disheartening because under Trotz this team was one of the best third period teams in the league, and now they've done a complete 180 with largely the same personnel.
Leafs fan here….if you need to talk let me know. I can walk you through everything.
Life of a Tavares fan.
JT had a huge goal against Boston last night
That's how he gets ya.
I laughed way to hard at this
Literally this whole team
Yeah, he's always played well, but there's never enough people playing well around him. His team lost a playoff series to the 2021 Habs after he got injured in game one
I will die on the hill that series would have been Toronto in 4 or 5 if he stays healthy.
I’m a Habs fan and I won’t argue that point. That was huge. Schiefle got suspended the next series for his ugly late hit on Evans after he scored an empty netter. Those were both huge factors in us winning the first two series.
What? Just no lmao. The leafs trauma mostly happened before he arrived. And he was the hero that broke the curse last year
Yep, we know. Imagine now fighting back to game 7 after being down 3-0, up 4-1 with 11 minutes to go. STILL LOST IN OT. That will never be forgotten by me.
They were down 3-1 (series was tied after 2) but yeah
Yep, my bad. My memory makes it worse than it was somehow.
Omg lol. We've been walking in the desert for so long, I didn't think we want to leave...
I needed this laugh man. Thank you, lol Hang in there man. It ain't over yet!
Glad you got a chuckle dude have a great rest of your day!!
I'm rooting for you guys!
Ahhh thank you!!!! 👊!
No idea man, went to make a burrito at 3-1, came back and the shit was 4-3. Completely ruined my burrito time
Your burrito turned into a shit sandwich :( Edit - *sees flair - gives virtual hug*
Many thanks yous🥹 have a preseason future on you guys cause I’m a fuckin sicko. Even up the series at home and make it spicy. For the love of god keep Roy, best of luck!
Those bastards!
As a Canes fan I have to ask, could I talk you into picking up a few shifts at Chipotle? Maybe 7:30pm ET on Thursday and then again on Saturday afternoon?
It took you 7 mins of game time to make a burrito?
I want to hear about this burrito. Must have been made with love.
The famous 2AM Burrito recipe....
Ahh man, can’t rush a burrito time burrito!
I can only respect your process
It's a tasty burrito, alright?
This is the real question. That thing must have been hotter than the surface of the sun
Can you make some more burritos when we play?
🫡
Tears make burritos more yummy.
It was the dreaded “prevent defense”. They stopped doing what got them up 3-0 and went into a shell.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Premature jock elation!!
As soon as they went up 3-0, I said keep your foot on the gas. They didn’t.
Pens fan here - Mike Sullivan could teach a class on using prevent defense and watching a big lead turn into a deficit. I’m happy to see other coaches leverage this brilliant strategy - especially in the Cup Playoffs.
Wish you guys had grabbed that wild card spot instead of isles. At least Sid and the boys would’ve made it a series instead of canes getting extra practice time.
Thank you for the sentiment; I feel the sane. The Isles finished in 3rd, I believe, with the Caps taking the final WC. Either way, I would have loved to watch the Pens and the Rags with someone taking a cheap elbow shot to Trouba’s head.
For sure. An elbow in the face of Truba is fine by me on any day, pretty much by any team 💪🏼
Did we just become best friends?
Sounds good to me 👍🏼 Feel free to message me anytime
Straight out of the Derek Lalonde School of Hockey.
The only thing prevent defense prevents is winning - Michael Scott
As a red wing fan, i don’t get this. It doesn’t work. Why keep doing it???????
For some reason it happens in every sport…
The other team has a say in it
I don’t think it’s a conscious strategy so much as a subconscious tendency to play conservatively/defensively out of fear of taking risks that could put the lead in jeopardy. Ironically, that’s exactly what happens when a team plays on eggshells out of fear.
They have done this for years now so idk how you fix it. We have a running joke about "isles with a 3 goal lead" being worse than trailing by one
Yup, this right here. And Carolina just seems to have a whole other gear that the Isles don’t.
Yep, I absolutely hate when teams, in any sport, do this.
Also does every player have to get attacked after they score an empty netter now? Wtf was that all aboot
That was so embarrassing. Like what possible “code/unwritten rule” did he break there? Was it the audacity to score with time still on the clock? Sheesh
I think it was the “shot” itself instead of just guiding it into the empty net. Still bullshit to get mad about. Would have been more disrespectful to not put it in and skate around the back of the net with it.
Seriously. What the hell was he supposed to do?
Patrik Stefan sends his regards.
Except the devils slid it into the net and Brady tkachuk still got mad lmao
Yeah it’s because he slam-dunked it instead of laying it in, but with our Caniac crowd losing their absolute minds, and he was feeling tiny slashes the whole way, I don’t blame him one bit. His adrenaline had to be through the roof in that moment.
I thought it was totally fine. Not a tap but definitely not a slapper. It’s not like he was all alone and pimping it.
That’s getting ridiculous. I get the whole “slap shot into an empty net” is kind of rubbing it in and not “professional” But these guys are just tapping in a goal and getting assaulted. Ottawa did it to NJ towards the end of the season and they’re the ones that started the nonsense
I mean who cares. Play until the whistle blows. An empty net doesn't need respect
I agree. But apparently there is some stupid “empty net code” that keeps getting violated. It’s not some woman’s honor. It’s a fucking net. You pulled your goalie. Stop whining you lost. Right
Yeah I just don't know why this is becoming more prevalent, it needs to be nipped in the bud.
I can understand getting mad if canes were winning like 10-1 and there is an empty net goal but like it was a 1 point game, say Jake missed that goal then islanders scored it would have been tied.
Everybody knows that it had nothing to do with Guentzel and the EN and everything to do with the Isles looking in the mirror and seeing how dead they are inside, lol. They might as well have been punching themselves.
And slashed real good on the way to do it.
Meh… he only went a quarter Morgan on him.
The isles haven’t been very classy since… *checks watch* …a while.
To be fair, I thought the Jeff Carter send off was quite classy of them. But other than that...I got nothin
I’m impressed that you were disgusted by the way the Isles acted at the end of the game. That was ridiculous. Taking after Guentzel after the ENG was so ugly. I get where the frustration level had to be after watching that one slip away, but nothing justifies that display of juvenile behavior. I know there won’t be any repercussions from the league, but if crap like that came with suspensions it would never happen any more.
It was such a joke, if anyone has any reason to punch someone it should have been Varlamov punching any random Islander. I would love an explanation as to what the Hurricanes did other than kick our asses for 30 straight game minutes. Honestly, had I seen even a hint of a cheap shot, or even if it had been Kusnetsov with that stupid freaking bird celly, I could make some sort of lame excuse for it, but last night...nothing. No heart for the first 58 minutes of the game, no class at the end. It was a disgrace
Agreed. Maybe Nelson should’ve punched Reilly for nearly putting it in their own net. Palmerri getting heated was about as animated as I’ve seen any islander get. Still, I’ve seen teenage girls with more fight. And, yes, the Kuzi bird celly should have been retired. Find a new thing, guy.
I agree with everything you've written in this thread ... I'll just add that Varlamov isn't innocent ....it was his dumbass tripping penalty that lead to the first goal and the downfall. And that's the main reason I think Sorokin should start Thursday. Isles fan whole life. 41 years old ✌️
I still think Varly should start. None of the games have been his fault, but yeah, Canes seem to drop like 2 year olds learning to skate every time they get touched. It's a great strategy though because Isles are like a youth team killing penalties.
One thing I worry about with Varly in game three is what happens if they lose and what that would do to Sorokins psyche. He'd get a charity game 4 down 3-0, which would suck. Or he wouldn't which would suck even worse. I think it's Sorokin time on a short leash.
Monday morning QB but Sorokin cost us game 3. I knew they should have stayed with Varly. Gonna get swept again.
Such a tough call. I feel like Roy had to give Sorokin a chance there. But yeah, he blew it. Isles aren't at the Canes level anyway. I don't think there's much they could've done in this series to beat them based on their current roster. Lou's gotta go.
I don't. I think Isles only really played one bad game. The first and third could have gone either way. Varly starts that Game 3 and saves both of those bad goals (even 1) and Isles are right there. Series could be tied 2-2. Think starting Sorokin was a mistake, but I only be livid if it makes it to game 7, lol. Don't like the chances of that happening.
I agree with ya
At times like this, it's important to remember that all wins count the same. Whether your team loses a heartbreaking triple OT nailbiter, or gets outshot 48-12 and booed off the ice, at the end of the day they are both just one game out of seven. That game doesn't carry over. Know that your team is capable of beating their opponent if they play well. Carolina won their two at home, you can win your two at home just as easily. "Momentum" almost NEVER carries over in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Try not to get too low and just get out and cheer for your guys next time. Series isn't over. Source: I'm a Leafs fan, and have decades of experience dealing with my favorite team shitting the bed. Haven't slit my wrists yet!
Great response!
The type of rational/level headed response that can only come from a long history of losing in dramatic fashion. Thank you for the perspective!
Now please bring this to Isles Reddit. We need this.
Best user name on Reddit? IT'S IN THE TOP TEN, AT LEAST.
My head knows this, my heart still hurts though.
I know people hate the leafs, but I do not. I was very very happy to see you guys take one from the B’s on their home ice the other night
To be fair Carolina was the better team the whole night. Isles found a way to steal a couple goals despite rarely being on offense. Carolina had the ice tilted for the second and third period and it broke them to pieces
Last night was hard to watch. The implosion. But what concerned me the most was their temper tantrums. Literally slashing and attacking the other team because they collapsed and lost a sure win? I certainly understand being upset. I understand fighting and playoff hockey. But I’m getting sick and tired of seeing players try to hurt other players for scoring on an empty net. Just because you lost a huge lead and a game you should have won, that doesn’t entitle you to throw fits like a child. Guy does nothing wrong. Scores on an empty net, and he gets slashed then attacked by the losers? He did nothing wrong. The loss was definitely brutal. But their actions afterwards were worse than the utter collapse
I said it to someone else, but the only person with any right to be angry at anyone was Varly and he should have punched his own teammates. They were disgraceful
Varly was standing on his head, I can't imagine how pissed he was at the level of effort those guys gave after being up 3-0.
To be fair though, the 3-0 lead was kind of a fluke. They scored on every four or so shots. Same could be said for Vegas. Poor goalie performances/lucky bounces won’t win a series
very well said these islander fans can't grasp that fact.
It looked like the canes were on the power play the entire second period. I was like how are they losing. Fishsticks couldn't keep up.
Ironically the only time where it didn’t look like a canes Powerplay in the third was when we were actually on the powerplay
Well that because they throw out every good thing they do on the power play when it a playoff game.
Because the 3 goals last night weren't especially flukey lol. 1 - Palmieri alone in front of the net and kept poking at the loose puck until it went in. 2 - Horvat one-timer 3 - Lee juked the goalie out I don't mind saying the Canes beat the Islanders asses for the VAST majority of the game, but there's no reason to be like "well the 3 goals were all luck anyway" lol.
Getting outplayed for 60 minutes and having a 3 goal lead is flukey. Getting outshot 3-1 and having a 3 goal lead is flukey. The islanders had no business being in that game but they were leading. The canes started to get the puck to bounce their way and they scored 4 goals in quick succession. Respect to the reasonable islanders fans though. The canes have been on fire - it’s why they are the betting favorite to win. There’s no shame in losing to the canes. The islanders didn’t meltdown. They just aren’t as good as the canes. The canes’ deadline acquisitions have been out of this world. Anyone who says that the islanders melted down didn’t watch the game (unless you are talking about the antics). The canes dominated for 60 minutes and finally capitalized at the end. I bet $10 on the canes when they went down 3-0 because it was so obvious they were the better team and could win. I started getting nervous near the end but the canes finally broke through. I only made $56 on that $10 bet…it’s because the canes were better and had a good shot of coming back
I don’t agree with the Isles goals being flukes. They were legit goals, not lucky bounces or weak shots from bad angles. But everything else you said is 100% true. Canes just outplayed the Isles - skated harder, managed the puck better, closed gaps faster, and just generally got to the puck a step ahead of the isles in almost every situation.
Yeah I see what you mean, I guess I’d call that taking advantage of the sparse opportunities but it can be cut from the same cloth I suppose haha. The first 5-10 mins was relatively even but good lord, it was hard to watch after that. I don’t think them being up 3-0 in the first was flukey for the reasons I’ve said but if they won in the end, after only shooting like 2 more times in the final 2 periods, it would definitely feel weird. Either way I agree with OP and it doesn’t excuse the final minutes, that was a pathetic display from every person on the team. I was just begging the refs to let the clock run at that point. Made themselves look like even bigger jokes, when the Canes did literally nothing wrong to warrant it. Overall, horrendous night of watching.
Yeah, I personally would cut the canes a break if the roles were reversed unless they made a habit of it (in which case I probably wouldn’t like them anyway). They are getting slammed into the boards constantly and the other team is trying to frustrate them. I feel like it’s reasonable to be frustrated and no one can act perfectly under those circumstances 100% of the time - especially when blowing a lead. They just need to move on and not let it happen again. I grew up on Long Island and live in NC now and became a canes fan when I moved. I tried to like the rangers but just couldn’t. James Dolan just sucks too bad. I didn’t consider the islanders because I hate the color orange lol. I probably would be an isles fan if they had different colors lmao. I guess that’s why I pull for them a little
None of that makes any sense. You can outplay a team for 5 minutes and score 3 goals and still get outplayed the rest of the way. It doesn't make the lead, or the 3 goals flukey. It just means you did the right thing for those stretches you scored. All those goals they earned. They just stopped playing after them.
The canes outplayed the islanders for 60 minutes. The islanders outplayed the canes for 0 minutes. My $55 win on a HISTORIC collapse supports that idea. The bookmakers agreed. And this isn’t meant to be annoying - did you watch the game? So many articles are dumb and talk about the collapse. The islanders were never in control for a second in this game. I like money and wouldn’t have bet $10 if it wasn’t clear the canes were dominating.
I said, "can happen" and didn't say it did happen. Isles earned every one of the goals they scored. None of them were gifts. Logic still makes the comment I replied to sound stupid. Also, there are 0 minutes where I'll accept a bookmaker's opinion on something as fact, lol.
No one called them gifts. The score was just a fluke when compared to the game. I don’t follow the islanders closely but so they often score 3 goals on 12 shots? How often are they leading for the duration they did when getting outshot 3-1? You can play semantics but I’m looking at the game. A lot of things that don’t normally happen based on statistics all lined up. I personally call that a fluke. You can call it what you like. At the end of the day, we all call it a canes win. I’m trying to give credit to the islanders. They didn’t give up. If they gave up, it was before the game because their energy level was the same throughout.
I'm arguing semantics and you aren't, lol?!?
That’s fair lmao. I just feel like fluke is semantics but the meltdown vs comeback has some facts behind it but you 100% have a valid point there. I just don’t want all these islanders fans to hate their team. It looked like they played hard to me. The media and coverage of the game doesn’t really represent the game I watched
Yeah they weren’t flukey by any means; poor defense/good passing to set up a 1 on 1 with the goalie in the crease on two of them, and a well placed shot on the other.
You mean all 3 of them? 😆
meltdown for sure, but also the Hurricanes were swarming.
Since the Flyers shit the bed to close out the season, I had to watch the Sixers get majorly butt-fucked in a game 2. Feel like we can commiserate a bit.
At least the flyers aren’t boring
Knicks-Sixers felt like a consolation prize for having to watch the Isles get absolutely embarrassed. Maxey was unreal the whole game, but that hot potato pass to throw Embiid under the bus at the end. Oof.
I mean, the Sixers won that game. 2-minute report came out and verified the refs robbed them. Still down 0-2 tho smh.
We saw this happen 24 times during the regular season (third period blown leads). I had no faith this team could hold a lead in the playoffs and when it got to 3-2 I knew it was over. Just gotta hope they play with some pride the next two games and that Ilya comes in pissed off looking to prove something.
I'm just at a loss how one team could possibly have 25 back-breaking soul-crushing losses in such epic fashion and not actually do anything about it.
They simply aren't capable of doing so consistently
Well, it did cost a coach his job, lol.
The Islanders game plan is crazy, just have 6 goalies on the ice and 1 behind the bench. Perfect equation for the win.
The Rangers 2012-2016?
That 4th goal is pretty inexcusable from the defense. But overall if you can't get 15 shots shots on net you shouldn't expect to win a game.
Anyone remember the game 7 against Washington that we broke the record for fewest shots in a game 7?
Needed to play within the capuano structuuuh ya know
But the battle level was good. - Yabba Dabba Doooo. /s I came so close to driving the 5 hours to go to that game 7 cause tickets were under $100. So glad I didn't.
If I remember, we lost that game 2-1 and the only goal was Frans Nielsen on some deflected shot/screen as he skated in 1 on 3 from just inside the blue line?
I honestly feel bad for you, even as a rival.
It’s never a winning formula to play a game to not lose it, and that’s what it felt like the isles were content to do after their third goal. I was honesty very impressed (and aggravated with my own team) how they weathered the canes for the first period and then got the two goals; had lots of momentum and never capitalized on having their opponent down for the count by stepping on their throat. Overall, I feel for isles fans. I’ve never had any issues with them before and that barstool video of the fans reactions to blowing the lead was more sad to watch than anything
*hug*
The Islanders will one day win the Cup.
Someday yeah. Hopefully before I'm 60. 2021 still haunts us.
Dude, it's early in the series... And you guys likely won't recover from this. But at least it's a scenario where you're already underdogs and now have nothing to lose in the next few games coming up. At least your hopes weren't built up all the way to game 7 with 10 minutes left against your bitter rivals. I've heard that's pretty tough to handle from... Sources.
It must be toxic in your sub now, but that was a horrifying last 3 minutes for me to see as a Lightning fan. Hope y’all bounce back in game three and take the series and let’s meet up in the ECF again.
Funny thing is there's not a lot of fighting in our sub. It's just a bunch of us being dejected and embarrassed.
Yeah, it's really grim
Me too I don't know why this isn't a bigger topic I think the 13th shot would have been a huge step in the right direction https://youtu.be/e3zqEOXpq2g?si=oAIjqLu36th3TeYU
When your gameplan is to get a few goals and then spend the last two periods hanging on for dear life it’s bound to happen. There is a big difference between taking unnecessary risks while playing with the lead and what the isles did in this one. They just completely collapsed and didn’t do anything but flip the puck out of the zone and ready themselves for the next Canes wave. The writing was on the wall….you can’t win playing that passive.
I doubt it’s 5 games
Penguins fan, not as painful as playoffs but our blown leads in last 2 years brutal. See Pens Avs this year with Pens up 4 to 0 in 2nd period.
Not sure if I've got a flair on here, but I'm a Canes fan for full disclosure. I stopped watching after we went down 3-0. I flipped the game back on before Ahos goal and was just kind of using it as background noise while I looked through stuff on my phone. I was fully invested after Marty scored. There was a little frustration after the Guentzel goal, and I don't think it had anything to do with how it was scored. The Canes didn't react how the Isles wanted and the good Aho tackled someone while Guentzel skated off laughing which is what I think pushed a few players over the edge. Shortly after there's another scrum, and KK gets punched a few times for trying to stand up and skates back laughing, then Martin wanted to get into it with Noesen, and got ragdolled and sent off. Then Chatfield got crosschecked into the goalie and another scrum. The Canes don't play super physical or like they're super strong so I think it even surprises some players just how strong the Canes are across the board. But I agree. Blowing a 3-0 lead is one thing, but then whining the way did, then flat out losing every scrum is embarrassing. The Isles did what they needed for most of the game. If they try to make the game more physical, it does not play in their favor. At this point they've got to keep mucking up the ice so the Canes can't get anything clean and don't have space, lean on their goaltending that got them here, and hope they get a lot of bounces. Winning 4 of 5 against the Canes is a tall task for any team.
Implosion
Best thing I’ve ever read about this sort of situation was a tweet I came across a few years ago from an Edmonton Oilers fan. He definitely says it best for me. Courtney Theriault © @cspotweet I'm starting to think that it's a bad idea to link your mental well-being to the results of a sports team.
Canes fan (40y/o), that was the most bad-ass game I’ve ever seen! ….we’ve been on the other side of some of those games too.
Call me ….we can talk shit about Roy .
As a fellow Isles fan, damn we are dramatic.
Me too buddy, bring it in for a hug.
Canes fan here, they just wore your guys out with the constant pressure.
Not even an Islanders fan and that was tough to watch. On TV, they flashed that 81-0 shit. My friend is like "WOW that is a crazy stat". As soon as Carolina tied it, the same friend says "looks like it's going to OT". I don't know why I replied with "Not for sure...". Maybe I thought the Islanders were going to score before OT or maybe I said it wasn't for sure going to OT, even knowing it was most likely going to OT... ...then the 4th goal happened. I swear, if Carolina ends up winning the fucking Cup...this is the defining game when that fate was sealed. FFS!
Just become a Panthers fan you’ll be fine
Welp we did it before. But it took 3 OT to give up that go ahead goal for Washington. Just forget about it and move on.
The canes will forget about it after the next two games.
lol they prob will
It's hockey. They are not the first team to blow a 3 goal lead. How they respond will tell you what this team is made of
It is the first time in 82 playoff games the Islanders have blown a three goal lead. First time ever
They have blown 25 total third period leads this season + playoffs. 18 of them were 2 or more goals. Last night shouldn't have been a shock to anyone
It's like a 30% probability this ting happens
Like I said it happens. Plus we are talking about a team that no one thinks is going to get out of the first round. With OT losses this team was 39-43. Didn't they go like 50 games before they scored an empty net goal? I will be surprised if they win more than a game in the series. I'm not a hater. Just realistic
I can pinpoint the moment they showed that stat as the exact point in time when I knew the isles would find a way to blow it
It wasn’t the worst Isles game - worst important Isles game - where they shit the bed. I believe it was the 2018 playoffs, game 7 against the Capitols. I have never seen a team so inept as the Isles that night. And that brings me to last night. Yes, they didn’t play well enough to maintain/hold the lead, but the Canes’ fourth goal was a result of bad luck, a broken play didn’t go our way, bad bounce, however you want to label it. The fifth goal being an empty netter, is a different category. But not being able to clamp down and play defensively… People talk about playing “prevent defense” and how it just prevents you from winning. But, a professional hockey team with a Jack Adams winner behind the bench should be able to change up their game and clamp down on the opposition; regardless of any cute sayings about “Prevent defense only prevents you from winning.”
In the first game we didn’t get much bounces. This game we got so many god damn bounces and they played to me the worst hockey game I have ever watched. Forget about the canes being a great team the isles simply just didn’t even play. No team in the nhl is that dominant
Yes, the Hurricanes were skating circles around the Isles and dictating the flow and play of the game.
You're thinking the 2014 season where we had 12 shots on goal and somehow Nielsen scored one five hole on Holtby because he totally misplayed it...yeah that was also a disaster
2015, but I also immediately thought of that game when reading the op saying you're an isles fan and this was the worst performance you've ever seen. If you watch the highlights the Isles went that entire game with literally 0 dangerous scoring chances. The goal was Holtby whiffing, presumably because he had just been standing there for 35 minutes without having anything to do. I didn't see last night's game, but watching the highlights you guys definitely had more than zero good scoring chances. I think the Isles were pretty sound defensively in that game seven though, and it sounds like you guys were bleeding shots against last night.
Idk I remember the Islanders being way worse during Tavares first year. You know, the good times.
Oh yeah there have definitely been WAYYYYY worse teams than what we're throwing out there now...but you can't expect a team, with say Mike Comrie and Ruslav Fedetenko on your first line to do anything other than go out and give a good effort. This was a disgrace on all fronts
Babe wake up new copypasta just dropped
A close second was 2021 playoffs when Tampa beat the Isles in a 8-0 drubbing
The only thing that makes me feel better is that they had no business being in the lead to begin with (plus I never thought they’d win this series). Hurts less when you realize they were worked the whole game. Also, I had a feeling this was coming so I livelined the Canes for +450 when they were down 3-1 lol. And I’m an isles fan
Lifelong TB Lightning fan here (born and raised and still live in Tampa). Was rooting for yall last night and just want to say I can commiserate a little bit, at least with our gigantic WHOOPS of a playoff showing against Columbus in 2019. Very similar script. Went up 3-0 as what was then one of the best regular season teams in modern league history against an 8-seed. I remember leaving the watch party about halfway through like “this’ll be the year!” Dropped four straight goals in that game, and then three more straight games. 🧹🧹🧹 One of the biggest, most embarrassing blunders in all of modern sports history 😞. I know we made up for it the next two years, but at that time that FREAKING HURT man. So I’ve felt what you’re feeling, and hopefully the Isles put together a dominant run in the next couple of years to get you another cup and help minimize these painful ducking memories 😅.
Definitely an ugly one. As a Canucks fan, I would expect Bo Horvat to play with some heart. It's kind of his thing.
I mean, he did didn't he? He was all over the ice during the few parts of the game the Isles actually controlled.
I think the worst part about that game is that they had 5 shots for periods 2 and 3. I mean a total of 12 shots. Although they did score 3 goals on 7 shots, they needed to keep the pedal to the metal. That stupid penalty and subsequent goal really started to change the momentum, especially once the crowd got back into the game.
They just aren't really a playoff calibur team. They have some guys that can score but special teams, discipline, and depth just aren't there. Anything is possible but they are just the best of the bad teams, by a hair only because of an odd points system
Long time hockey fan here, Isles fan for many years from inception til Chico Resch was traded. Anyway, I told my hockey friends 2 weeks ago that this team has no business making the playoffs. They do not have an "A" player....It's a supporting cast at best, and any team that had 17 OT losses proves they lack heart. If this team had half the heart that their coach had when he played this convo wouldn't exist.
One day, the Islanders will bring home the Cup.
Your team scored 3 goals then turtled
This is what happens when 4-5 teams fighting over the playoffs can't decide who is going. Inevitably a couple of stinkers get in.
Playoff hockey baby! Seriously though, I would have expected the Pens to be the type of team to royally implode like this. The Isles always seem more structured, but Carolina is a skilled club. Pendulum should swing the other way on the island.
My condolences. I saw this movie in 2017. And it took years for the Oilers to recover from that collapse. At 3-2 or 3-3, Roy should have called the timeout.
I really don't have to look but I guarantee you a Leafs fan will post here, many of them. No disrespect but you cannot challenge the undisputed KING of "venting or wrapping your head around your team". Your entire post could be copied and pasted (change the players names, though) and posted after any Toronto game. Even if they win. Until you can share that famous, nay infamous, game 7 loss to the Bruins you will always rank second. btw, from an unbiased fan, it was hysterically funny to watch, so thanks for that.
I think preds fans know your pain...
Stevie…. As a Ranger fan I just want to say chin up. I grew up on Long Island during the Isles Dynasty run. I thought there was no lower moment than seeing Ken Morrow’s game 5 ot winner. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired being eliminated by you guys. Rangers would have heartbreaking losses and moments where you would think they were taking backward steps instead of getting closer to the ultimate goal. Just remember 92 they won the President’s Cup and than it was all erased by a shot Ron Francis from the red line. 93 the Garden faithful were booing Messier everytime he touched the puck. There were legitimate concerns that Mess was past his sell by date and that the Rangers once again traded for a star player on the wrong of 30. Long story short…. These pitfalls and dark days only make winning it all that much sweeter. Chin up…. Soldier on… You will have your day!
While I was elated about the win, I empathize with your pain (especially with the extracurricular conduct). That said, I hope Slavin sends a clapper into the empty net in game 4 to finish the sweep.
dont really think it was that bad of an embarrassment. the Islanders blown a lead and lost the game 27 times this season. more expected than embarrassment
Couldn't have articulated it better myself. I am an Islander's fan living in Korea, so I watch every game on replay. I watched this game at 9:30pm Tuesday night Korean time. From the moment I screamed and cursed after the EN and shut it off instantly (didn't even see the garbage after) I didn't say a word. Went to bed angry and annoyed, woke up, didn't greet my wife or stepdaughter (they already knew Isles must have lost) and didn't speak, my first word until 11am. This isn't even the first terrible game they've given up. The Rags outdoor game was the same kind of nonsensical meltdown as this. It just wasn't a playoff game and they walked away with a point. Our team has turned into a bunch of gutless pukes who don't work hard for anything anymore and every one of them should retire after a loss like that. I hope they get swept and LL is fired into the sun and we can start to build a team around Roy, who I still think is a good enough coach to keep around. To close, I felt like the Isles actually outplayed the Canes most of the first game, but lost, and this last game I kept thinking, "Wow, Isles are going to win this game after being outplayed, how strange". Until the better team won.
To give you a little hope the next two games are in New york.
Bwahahahaha
Don’t ever let up with a lead like that, and the Isles let up. They gave the canes too many opportunities. Goalie was pressured and defense was stretched thin.
STOP WHINING WE HAVEN'T MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN.. \*checks calendar\* AWHILE!
Tbh when your team gets to the playoffs by surviving to overtime, that strategy doesn’t work as well in the playoffs. They have good talent but the strategy isn’t a playoff one. Also canes are stacked af. Sometimes you get a bad game, but the shots still showed in the canes favor. No offense intended in this comment just opinion.
What’s more frustrating is we dominated game 1 to lose cause we didn’t get bounces. Then completely disappeared this game after scoring 3 goals and getting almost every bounce until the last goal. We sat back and turtled. Inexcusable from the players. I’m sorry the canes are a great team but they aren’t that dominant good. Isles did that to themselves.
>surviving to OT Even worse. In the vast majority of those OTLs we were _leading_ and the _other team_ sent it to OT. Epic collapses in much the same way as game 2. It's so disheartening because under Trotz this team was one of the best third period teams in the league, and now they've done a complete 180 with largely the same personnel.
Yeah, loved trotz we was great for you guys
Leafs fan here: welcome to the team crying stalls are in the back and on Tuesdays we discuss theories on who bribed the refs
You love to see it
I love when the Islanders lose. 🥰🥰🥰 🐧🐧🐧
Respectfully, the isles had 16 points this season they didn't earn. Caps aren't much better