newsday.com - 12/29/2008
—
The Islanders' record over the past four games is only
1-2-1, but their defense has improved dramatically, allowing just nine goals in that stretch, a 2.25 average. You could call it a coincidence, or maybe defenseman Brendan Witt's comments about the "risky" system forced everyone from coach Scott Gordon on down to address the issue and find ways to tighten up.
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Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 12-29-08
Empty Netters —
... in the win.
Atlantic Division
-The Flyers demoted defenseman Ryan Parent to their puppy-drowning AHL affiliate. Parent has not played a game this season due to a shoulder injury.
-Don't look now, but the Devils are closing in on first place in the division.
-Larry Brooks is also lobbying to bring back Sean Avery to the Rangers. Because it's not like they're in first place or anything.
-Brendan Witt's mouth has led to an improvement in the Islanders' defense.
Northeast Division ...
NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Claude Lemieux signed to a two-way deal by Sharks, Rangers veterans may see some press box time and Paul Stastny looks to be out 6-8 weeks
IllegalCurve.com —
... opposing team to score the first goal for the tenth consecutive game and not surprisingly, the Wild came out on the losing end. Benoit Pouliot still can’t get going for the Wild.
The Predators received poor goaltending and made some bad turnovers and it cost them in Edmonton last night. Barry Trotz recently told Jason Arnott that he can’t let his offensive struggles affect his role as captain.
Did Brendan Witt’s comments change the way the Islanders play defense?
If the Rangers ...
Battle of NY: Embattled City has the high ground
Lighthouse Hockey —
... The Islanders, meanwhile, are feeling light just by virtue of having taken three points from their last two games. With five minutes left in Buffalo and down 3-1, it didn't look that way -- heck, with two seconds left in Buffalo, it didn't look that way. But that's why they pull the goalie. ...
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[Tonight] will be a battle of the too coldest teams in the NHL. The Wild has lost six in a row and seven of its past eight. The Islanders have lost seven in a row and nine of 10. The Isles – the childhood team for this Long Island boy — ...
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...
ISLES SET TO LEAF LOSSES BEHIND
nypost.com 12/26/2008 — The Islanders have gone the past two days without a loss or an injury, which is about as much success as they've had this month. Unfortunately for the Isles, the reason wasn't a change in fortune for the moribund squad, but a two-day league-wide...
