The question all season for the Islanders is this: Who will be the starting goaltender? The Islanders haven't had a strong goalie season since DiPietro's All-Star year back in 2008. Since then, continuously struggling with injuries, DiPietro has found himself always trying to earn his spot as the number one goaltender. This, however, is no easy task with Islander fans growing restless with his inconsistency. The Islanders acquired Evgeni Nabokov last season and has started for them four games this year so far. He has a slumping 1-3-0 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.81 GAA. Nabokov has shown great poise at times but other times has shown great inconsistency in net, giving up weak goals early in the game which forces the Islanders to claw back from behind. Al Montoya has been the most consistent of the Islander goalies, posting a 2-2-0 record so far with a staggering .928 save percentage and a 2.12 GAA. Coach Capuano has been a fan favorite but his biggest issue is his impatience with his goaltenders. He needs to play the hot goalie which is clearly Al Montoya. Being that this young goaltender is trying to make a name for himself in the NHL, Capuano needs to instill a sense of trust and confidence in his young goaltender and ride out the season with his young player.
After a implosion against Washington last game where they fell 6-2, the Islanders are looking to make a statement against the slumping Colorado Avalanche. The Islanders need to take this game, a game that they should win, and use them to propel them in getting points. With Varlamov starting, which has been a great disappointment, the Islanders should catch a huge moral boost. Playing a slumping team is just the thing to boast some confidence in this team. This is also the opportunity for the Islanders to find some secondary scoring, which has been non-existent all season. Tavares can not be the only offense on this team. Okposo needs to find his game, which has been long-awaiting for Islander fans. He needs to prove himself as one of the marquee names of the Islanders. This could be a huge turning point for the Islanders. This could be the boost they need or the step in the same direction as last season.
They need more help than just a trip to Colorado, they need something called talent. Hopeless franchise with an even more hopeless fan base. If you don't know anything about the sport just become an Islander fan, you will fit right in.
ReplyDeletewell said jimbo
ReplyDeleteWell Jimbo is clearly ignorant..
ReplyDeleteA few things, we lost to Boston last game. We beat Washington. Also Varly is not starting, its Giggy tonight.
Okposo is not our secondary scoring. At this point he is a 3rd line role player. We need Grabner to start scoring goals and we need Moulson to contribute as well.
oh yeah good call i meant boston lol. idk i feel okposo may have some game left in him to have a good season
ReplyDeleteThe amount of times he's had golden opportunities and just fumbled the puck or shoots wide or doesn't even get a shot off.... I'm ready to vote him bailey and comeau off the Island. Well, Okposo makes a good 3rd liner (see Laich) but should not be getting more minutes than that.
ReplyDeleteyea true... how do you feel about the goalie issues... should capuano try and put some pressure on montoya? because i think he's a capable goalie
ReplyDeleteIt should be Montoya playing, DP backup, Nabby traded and Pouling/Nilsson in the AHL.
ReplyDeleteI think montoya can do great... he's proven it this year already
ReplyDeleteat the begining of the season i was very high with the islanders young talent and mix of veterans but after 12 games it seems like its going to take more time for this team to get going. a three goalie symstem never works. the islanders have to go with 2 goalies and split time if need be. dipietro has to be one goalie because of his contract, al montoya inpressed me at the end of last year and should be given a shot. i would try to trade nabokov if they can.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say ignorant. Maybe I am a little biased because im a ranger fan but im definitely right about this. If your team can't even find a building to play in and you average about 8,000 fans a game, its time to move on. The team hasnt been relevant in a long time.
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