[Isles2279]

In case you've missed it-and judging from all those empty seats at the Coliseum, many of you have-the Islanders have managed to win more than a few games this year, and as we approach the season's midpoint they are in a playoff spot and only 3 points out of 1st place in the Atlantic Division. Despite a recent scoring drought they have also managed to pile up 22 goals in the past 6 games....9 in the past 2. So, here are a few observations from someone who has watched every game (yes, I finally caught up tonight!!)

----Hilbert isn't looking like a bad player and has managed to score 4 goals..I know that doesn't sound like much to the average fan, but anyone who knows this team knows that's 4 more than it looked like he'd have the whole season just a couple dozen games ago!

----Park has been every bit as aggressive as Blake became during his time with the Isles...sure he doesn't have Blake's scoring touch, but it's great to see him and Hilbert give 100% night after night

----Guerin is on pace for about 30 goals and has been solid since breaking out of his scoring funk earlier this season

----Bergeron seems to be doing a bit better in his own end after a series of benchings due to irresponsibility in the defensive zone....Meyer has been every bit of the defenseman that Bergeron ought to be and is a good stay at home defenseman on a team filled with offense-minded ones....keeping him in the lineup solidifies the corps...I know he isn't an A-list defender, but he fits in perfectly on this team.

----When the Isles play their type of defense-oriented game, they seem very comfortable and their patience typically pays off with a multitude of scoring chances...that's how they have played lately and earlier this season.....When they try to play an offensive game, they are sloppy defensively and typically lose.

----All in all, I like this team and our chances of making it into the 2nd round this season....I won't go further than that, but I think the Isles have a unique blend of age and youth, experience and raw talent, discipline and raw youthful energy....at this point I would say we can beat any team in a 7 game series except Ottawa

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Isles2279

In case you've missed it-and judging from all those empty seats at the Coliseum, many of you have-the Islanders have managed to win more than a few games this year, and as we approach the season's midpoint they are in a playoff spot and only 3 points out of 1st place in the Atlantic Division. Despite a recent scoring drought they have also managed to pile up 22 goals in the past 6 games....9 in the past 2. So, here are a few observations from someone who has watched every game (yes, I finally caught up tonight!!)

----Hilbert isn't looking like a bad player and has managed to score 4 goals..I know that doesn't sound like much to the average fan, but anyone who knows this team knows that's 4 more than it looked like he'd have the whole season just a couple dozen games ago!

----Park has been every bit as aggressive as Blake became during his time with the Isles...sure he doesn't have Blake's scoring touch, but it's great to see him and Hilbert give 100% night after night

----Guerin is on pace for about 30 goals and has been solid since breaking out of his scoring funk earlier this season

----Bergeron seems to be doing a bit better in his own end after a series of benchings due to irresponsibility in the defensive zone....Meyer has been every bit of the defenseman that Bergeron ought to be and is a good stay at home defenseman on a team filled with offense-minded ones....keeping him in the lineup solidifies the corps...I know he isn't an A-list defender, but he fits in perfectly on this team.

----When the Isles play their type of defense-oriented game, they seem very comfortable and their patience typically pays off with a multitude of scoring chances...that's how they have played lately and earlier this season.....When they try to play an offensive game, they are sloppy defensively and typically lose.

----All in all, I like this team and our chances of making it into the 2nd round this season....I won't go further than that, but I think the Isles have a unique blend of age and youth, experience and raw talent, discipline and raw youthful energy....at this point I would say we can beat any team in a 7 game series except Ottawa

Good analysis Isles2279. Some more things I'd like to add:

I think Vasicek and Begenheim haven't even hit their stride yet.

Also, Sutton and Martinek have been major disappointments this year. They both have been turning the puck over way too much.

Hunter has to start putting the puck in the net, once in a while.

[Isles2279]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Good analysis Isles2279. Some more things I'd like to add:

I think Vasicek and Begenheim haven't even hit their stride yet.

Also, Sutton and Martinek have been major disappointments this year. They both have been turning the puck over way too much.

Hunter has to start putting the puck in the net, once in a while.

I agree about Vasicek and Bergenheim but definitely like the way Bergie plays...his stride is going to be 30 goals per season and that may be a couple seasons away.

I think Sutton has made improvements over the past 10 games or so....Martinek looks too thin

Hunter should be a 30-30 man...he just needs to see himself that way and shoot the damn puck a lot more