When the Rangers scored with 47 seconds left in the third period to tie tonight's game at 2, I assumed that was it for the Islanders. The Rangers would go on to win in overtime; if they didn't do that, they'd win in the shootout. I had my mental consolation speech prepared. It went something like this: "It's a damn shame they didn't win tonight. Kyle Okposo was a beast. Even if he never scores again, he should make the U.S. Olympic team, because he still makes things happen. Oh, and I f*&@ing hate the Rangers."
Then, almost out of nowhere, Kyle Okposo, he who was a beast tonight, fired off a wrist shot that deflected off Marc Staal's skate, then the post, and then found the back of the net. Islanders win in overtime.
MSG Plus gave us a bunch of stats that I thought said a lot about these two teams. First, Brandon Dubinsky's second goal gave the Rangers their first point in a game where they trailed after two periods. That's plenty of fodder for the "The Rangers have no heart" chorus. Second, the Islanders earned their 37th point a full 13 games before they hit the 37-point mark last year. Third, the one we all know a little too well, this was Okposo's first goal in nineteen games. Lastly, and perhaps most pathetically, the Islanders have consecutive wins for the first time in almost two months.
Yes, the Islanders gave up a crucial point to the Rangers, a team they may be battling for a playoff spot later this season. But this was a big win for the Islanders. They took it to their biggest rivals tonight and got two points. They got a bit of a raw deal with the schedule - their game against the Flyers tomorrow starts just 22 hours from the drop of the puck tonight - but the Flyers are terrible and the Islanders are riding a great wave of momentum. Truly, there's no reason why they can't beat Philadelphia tomorrow night; there's even less reason why they can't beat Columbus on Tuesday night. That'd be four in a row. It probably wouldn't get the Isles into the top eight before the end of the year, but it certainly would send them into 2010 on a positive note.
Huge win tonight. And one last note on Okposo - now that he's broken his goal drought, look for him to heat up in the very immediate future.
Programming Note: I've been a bit absent of late, which I apologize for. Such is life with two kids and two jobs. Hopefully, it won't happen again. Thanks to Zach for picking up the slack.
Maybe Okposo learned by scoring on that wrister, that you don't nned to wind up and try and put the puck through the goal...He shoots too hard and wide most of the time. Also Gordon is not the answer. He has had this team for a year and a half and we still have horrible special teams, we don't win faceoffs. Things that can be improved on through teaching and execution. There has to be accountability. Not just benching his whipping boy Cuomo. Tell me how Schremp Plays the PP? he has 1 more career goal than me...And Okposo on the point? Why? He is a Power forward. Put him up front with JT and Moulson.Just to keep up the venting...Brooklyn is the answer. They have the money now to build the arena.We need revenue, and a venue...Third jersey BROOKLYN. LIRR to game 40 minutes. Lighthouse? so what the same people won't show up. Put the Isles in brooklyn and you create an additional fan base.Plus Corporate attraction, and free agents.
ReplyDelete