AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: It's all about Nolan DATE: 11/17/2006 03:48:00 PM ----- BODY:
When the Islanders skated into Dallas and thoroughly beezwaxed a formidable Stars sextet, it told me that the time had come for a solid, introspective look at the Nassaumen. The obvious answer to the question about why the Isles are, at the very least, in contention for a playoff berth is TED NOLAN. He has coached hard and well so far and, most important, has retrieved the playing career of Alexei Yashin. But, obviously, there’s more to consider than that. I huddled with my A-1, Yankee-Doodle-Ipsy-Pipsy Isles-watcher, Tim Marino, and he offered this X-ray of the troops from Uniondale. COACHING A month and a half into the season, the Islanders are still searching for an identity, but aren't doing too shabby in the process. Following a dominant 3-0 performance over the Dallas Stars, they are 8-6-2, just three points out of first place in the tight Atlantic Division. But their season thus far has been a series of ups and downs—three losses, two wins, two losses, a win and a loss, three wins, two losses, two wins. Even Nolan, who has done an admirable job of raising Yashin’s game, seems confused. Since day one, Nolan has touted an offense-first strategy, but he seems to have recently changed his mind. "Defense is going to be our identity," Nolan said. "We have to make strong decisions with the puck and play an intelligent game. We can't get into a run-and-gun game that so many teams like to play. That's when we get in trouble." Funny to hear this from Nolan, who has always preached the run-and-gun style since his success in Buffalo. Even earlier this season, he assured Islanders fans that they would be treated to an explosive, speedy, and entertaining team. GOALTENDING Nolan would be smart to alter his stance on goaltending. Early in the season, he is overplaying Rick DiPietro despite the stellar early-season work of backup, Mike Dunham. Nolan's hesitation to give the more-than-capable Dunham a regular start seems curious. DiPietro, when on his game, can be one of the best in the business, as was the case in Dallas when he stopped all 35 shots he faced. But more often than not, Rick confuses his defensemen, causes unnecessary turnovers, and flops around instead of staying square to the puck. DP, no doubt, is the future of this team for better or worse. But he is nowhere near as consistent nor reliable as Marty Brodeur. For this reason, DP should not be starting more than 55 games. Look no further than each goaltender’s stats. In six games, Dunham has a .921 SV% and 2.71 GAA, while DiPietro has a .908 SV% and 2.80 GAA in eleven games played. Dunham should be starting every third game, if not half of them. DEFENSE The Isles defense, like the team itself, has been up and down. But this was expected as the club has four new faces on the backline this season. Brendan Witt has played well, but not as physical as his days in Washington. Sean Hill has done everything expected of him. He had some trouble with taking minor penalties early on, but lately he has improved. Alexei Zhitnik is third on the team with a +4 rating and has been a steadying influence on his fellow defenders and Rick DiPietro. Besides sharing the best +/- rating on the team (+5) with Alexei Yashin, Radek Martinek has been the Isles’ steadiest defenseman night in and night out. He may have just two points this season (both assists), but Martinek does everything right in his own end and has a keen eye for the breakout pass. Tom Poti’s offensive numbers (2G, 7A, 6PPP) can’t be dismissed. Besides Gervais (-5), Poti has the worst +/- on the Isles blueline (-4). This also can not be ignored. There's a logjam on the backline, as both Chris Campoli and Joel Bouchard await their first shifts of the season after suffering injuries in pre-season. Nolan likes Gervais, and is in no rush to remove him from the lineup in favor of either player despite his sub-par +/- rating. OFFENSE Nolan is doing well, handling his lines. Unlike his predecessors (Stirling, Laviolette), Nolan likes to keep his units intact for multiple games. He won't make a change until it's absolutely necessary; i.e. Viktor Kozlov dogging it ten games into the season. The captain has been outstanding all season, on pace for a 103-point season. Realistically, Yashin could end up in the 80-90 range. Continued success from Yashin could spell a playoff berth for the Islanders. Yashin also has the best +/ rating on the team along with Martinek. Miroslav Satan could help make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful year. Miro has all the tools, but has just two goals on the season. In his defense, Satan was playing the point on the power play until recently. Throughout his offensively successful career, Satan has scored the majority of his goals in close proximity to the net. Hopefully for the Isles, the change will spark the veteran Slovak. A few more goals from him could be enough to push the Islanders to the next level. Jason Blake is off to his best start ever, playing with the rejuvenated Yashin. Blake leads the team with nine goals (6 PPG) and is second on the team with 16 points. The 33-year-old Minnesota native has never notched more than 57 points in a season (last year), but is on pace for 83, including 46 goals. Mike Sillinger has cooled off, but his face-off percentage is among the best and the career journeyman has been a calming influence on the ice and in the locker room. Andy Hilbert hasn’t registered a point all season, but did register the Shootout winner over Florida. The Isles might be better served recalling a speedster like Jeff Tambellini, Robert Nilsson, or Petteri Nokelainen to spark the fourth line.
CROSBY-MALKIN vs. JAGR-SHANAHAN Every so often I get excited about clashes of the superstars and on Saturday night when the Rangers visit Pittsburgh we have an excellent match-up when Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan invade the Igloo. Without a doubt, Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have turned the Penguins into a playoff contender although their no-name defense is suspect. Despite their loss in Carolina the Rangers overall play impressed me. I expect them to beat Pitt by two goals.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Anonymous DATE:11/19/2006 09:18:00 AM I expect them to beat Pitt by two goals.

I realize who signs your paychecks but sometimes objectivity is needed. ----- --------