- This game should never have been close.
- This game was blown because Michel Therrien is being a stubborn fool.
- During a winning streak, problems often get ignored. So Therrien’s stubbornness is almost forgivable, but the Raphael Diaz/Josh Gorges pairing needs to finally die a bloody death never to be reunited again.
- The first Islanders goal was on Gorges, who left his man, Matt Moulson, to block a shot he couldn’t block. But Diaz didn’t bother covering for him.
- The second goal, Diaz literally moved out of the way when he had Moulson covered, allowing him an open lane 5 feet from Price for a one timer.
- On the overtime goal, Diaz got beat by Tavares, then got turned around, ineffectively flailed at a pass instead of trying to block it, and let Thomas Hickey pound it into an open net.
- Three Islanders goals are directly at the feet of Raphael Diaz.
- Raphael Diaz lead the Montreal Canadiens in ice time tonight.
- Think about that.
- Think about it a little bit more.
- Then look at P.K. Subban, who set up a goal, was +2, is stronger, faster, and more defensively aware than Diaz, but he got 10 seconds of ice time on the PK.
- I said before the game that Moulson vs Diaz was going to be a mismatch, I didn’t think it would be that bad.
- Enough about Diaz.
- David Desharnais had, by far, his best game of the season. He was strong on the puck all game, and made two great passes in traffic to Max Pacioretty for both his goals.
- Evgeni Nabokov deserves credit for this win. He was phenomenal tonight, and to keep playing after that devastating injury caused by Ryan White’s hand brushing his helmet lightly is seriously courageous. He should get 3 purple hearts. At least.
- At least they got a point. 5-0-1 in the last 6 is not bad, and I think we all knew this game was going to be a let down. On to the New York Slats.
EOTP Three Stars:
- Scott Matla with this picture:
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JD_ on Nabokov’s flopping: “If we could all bow our heads and pray for Nabby’s speedy recovery from this devastating injury. Our Father, who art..”
- JD_ on me commenting on Nabokov’s demeanor: “Hey, c’mon, he’s trying to cope with the after-effects of that near-death experience earlier.”
Check out Lighthouse Hockey for reaction from the winning side.
