[bossy4president]

The 2007 season is winding down and the Isles are still right in the thick of things, even though the team seams to be falling apart with injuries. Does anyone out there feel that we can pull off this miracle? Let's say we do, does anyone think we can compete and make it past the first round? If we don't make it, does that make this season a complete bust and does it take away from what Teddy has done to this team this season? Do we start to clean house (by that I mean kick Yash in the butt on the way out) or do we remain hopeful that this team will "click" like we have seen it do during some stretches this season?
I don't know, just wondering what other fans might be thinking.

Open forum

[MJHMarc]

I'm not the biggest Islanders fan, but I think they might slide into the Playoffs. They have been performing poorly as of late, and I don't think they will be serious contenders in the Playoffs. But then again, I'm not the best man to turn to.

[blueandwhite]

So Smyth is injured now (leg injury). That is just about the worse news you could get.
Islanders are not faring well right now, on of the worst records of late, and last night Dunham let 5 goals in during the first period and was unceremoniously - and rightly - yanked.
letdown.
No DiPietro-they are finally declaring him gone for the rest of the season. he's a huge investment, they have to take care of him. Now no Smyth, and he is day to day.
As a leafs fan and the other one in contention for that coveted spot - I'd say the Islanders are hurting more than any other team.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by bossy4president

The 2007 season is winding down and the Isles are still right in the thick of things, even though the team seams to be falling apart with injuries. Does anyone out there feel that we can pull off this miracle? Let's say we do, does anyone think we can compete and make it past the first round? If we don't make it, does that make this season a complete bust and does it take away from what Teddy has done to this team this season? Do we start to clean house (by that I mean kick Yash in the butt on the way out) or do we remain hopeful that this team will "click" like we have seen it do during some stretches this season?
I don't know, just wondering what other fans might be thinking.Open forum

Welcome to GoTeamsGo bossy4President. Love your username.

I actually still think they can make it because all the other teams that they're fighting with keep losing also. Here's how they can pull it off:

1) Mike Dunham can't play anymore. I'm not asking that he be spectacular, but how about not letting every single shot in the net. Go with Dublieweicz.

2) They have to sweep the next 3 home games against Ottawa, The Rangers, Leafs.

3) Ryan Smyth has to come back in the lineup...and put the puck in the net.

I was getting so frustrated with Ryan Smyth that I actually e-mailed Newsday's beat writer, Greg Logan: Here was the exchange.
I wrote:

I've been really disappointed with the way Ryan Smyth has played. This is the guy we gave up 3 1st round picks for? How about he put the puck in the net, once a while?
Logan answered:
Try looking at the big picture with Ryan. He had one goal disallowed against the Rangers, and he's influenced several other Islanders goals by his presence in front of the net. He's also a sensational penalty killer and really helps the PP in combination with Bergeron. It's ridiculous for people to get down on smyth because the team has been mediocre at best since the trade. The fact is that injuries are killing the season, not Ryan Smyth. He's been the best player on the ice in the majority of games he's played IMO. I don't have the exact figures in front of me, but he's been getting a point per game.

I appreciate that Logan responded, and he sees every minute of every game. But I don't buy his answer.

1) First off, you can't blame injuries, every team has them. And it's because of the injuries, that he has to step his game up.
2) They didn't get Ryan Smyth to kill penalties, they got him to put the puck in the net.
3) Jason Blake has 40 goals this season. He was scoring them before Ryan Smyth "stood in front of the net."

[blueandwhite]

bad loss to Ottawa 5-2 last night. Smyth played too, didn't he?
And a goalie named Dubielewicz. Hurts - Rangers next, should be a better game.

[ThePundit]

Disappointing? No. This is more of how I feel:

Don't blame Dublewicz, he stopped 42 of 46 shots. The Islanders only took 23 shots. So Ottawa doubled the shot output. You can't win like that.

And Yes - Captain Canada played and led the team: with a -3!

Nolan summed it up well:

I thought Dubielewicz played as well as he could," Nolan said. "He gave us a chance, but he was probably the only one that gave us an opportunity. Every team in any sport loses people. That doesn't mean you feel sorry for yourself or you whine and complain about things you haven't got.

Almost out of the race - Newsday.com

[blueandwhite]

That's good, then, having a backup you can count on. I wasn't poking fun at him, I'd never heard of him.

[ThePundit]

He's been their minor league goaltender for years and he always plays well when he's called on in a pinch. They could have Billy smith in net and when you get outshot 46-23, it's very close to impossible to win.