The New York Islanders certainly haven’t played many boring games of late. Their last seven games have had combined (regulation) goal totals of 8, 8, 6, 12, 12, 6 and 9 goals, respectively. The Islanders have scored at least three regulation goals in seven consecutive games, but they’ve also been giving up quite a few goals, so this game isn’t easy to project. Al Montoya gets the start in goal for the Islanders. Montoya, 26, a 2004 first-round pick of the New York Rangers, will be making his first NHL start since April 9, 2009. He spent last season in the AHL and was called up by the Islanders on Feb. 11. In two relief appearances, Montoya has stopped 27 of 30 shots in 75 minutes of action. Here’s a story on Islanders high-flying rookie Michael Grabner, from the New York Times, followed by the expected lineups for the Islanders and the Kings…
Rookie’s strong season makes Islanders look smart
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ISLANDERS LINEUP
Matt Moulson-John Tavares-PA Parenteau
Michael Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Kyle Okposo
Blake Comeau-Josh Bailey-Jesse Joensuu
Michael Haley-Zenon Konopka-Rob Schremp
Andrew MacDonald-Travis Hamonic
Jack Hillen-Radek Martinek
Bruno Gervais-Milan Jurcina
Al Montoya
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KINGS LINEUP
Richardson-Kopitar-Simmonds
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Handzus-Brown
Ponikarovsky-Lewis-Westgarth
Mitchell-Doughty
Johnson-Scuderi
Martinez-Greene
Quick
I think Kopitar has a big game, tonight. I’m thinkin’ a goal or two, with an assist or two.
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Don’t take it easy guys.
More appropriately .. don’t play to the level of your opponent on this one.
Thanks.
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jayhay Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@Matt George, thats the train of thought that will get the Kings in trouble. these guys are professional hockey players, and have been playing really well lately. easy to get up for PHI, WASH, NYR but the Islanders are just as dangerous. goaltending may be a little skeptical, but you dont think Montoya wants to come out and show his new teammates what he’s all about? Watch out boys. my guess is its a tied hockey game w/ 10 mins left.
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the over/under on this game should be on fights that the NYI 4th line gets into. i’m setting the over/under at 2.
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Why is Simmonds always mentioned in trade rumors? Trading Wayne would be a huge mistake. He brings a lot of character to this team. Not to mention if they traded Wayne AEG would lose potential revenues from television ratings, advertising sponsors and merchandising. It’s too ‘big picture’ to trade Wayne unless DL really makes a headline trade.
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Matt George Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@Lime,
AGREED!
( … of course my opinion is tainted by my ownership of a Simmonds jersey BUT STILL! )
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Lime, I’m sorry the way your talking about “Wayne” I thought you were talking about Gretzky!! Lol If the right trade is out there than Simmonds is a logical player to be involved. If the Kings are going to add a legit goal scorer than they’re going to have to trade a player that other teams want and Simmonds fits that bill. You really have to ask yourself, is this team good enough right now to compete for the Cup this year? Reality has to come into play here IMO.
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jdm1977 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@Lime,
I think Simmonds is mentioned in trade rumors because a lot of others teams want him. So if Columbus offered Nash for Simmonds, the Kings should decline?
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Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@jdm1977, I think that would classify as a headline trade.
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jdm1977 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Lime,
Okay maybe I’m being a little hyperbolic and Nash for Simmonds wouldn’t happen. I like Simmonds too and really believe that he brings a lot of great intangibles. At the same time, if the right deal is out there, the Kings should pull the trigger. A lot of other teams seem to place him at a high value, so they keep asking. I don’t think the Kings are dangling him, but who knows.
Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@jdm1977, I completely agree it just fascinates me that Simmonds seems to be a major piece coveted by other teams.
xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Lime, I don’t want to see him go anywhere… but to say the Kings would lose any revenue because Wayne Simmonds is gone, doesn’t make much sense to me. As much as I love the guy, he’s not a marquee player.
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jayhay Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@xeropoint, just like Ichiro is/was so important to the Pac NW with its asian community, i dont think anyone should shocked that the Kings would see the potential marketability (is that even a word?) of Simmonds to the Southern Calif melting pot of cultures.
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@jayhay, ??????????? C’mon…..really??? Please!!!
Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@jayhay, It’s for the best.
threepwood Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@Lime,
What rumors are those? The bogus ones made up by bloggers who are right .5 percent of the time?
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Respect will win this game for the Kings. Respect NHL, system, Coach, and the oppoent. Just go out and play your game Kings. Statement game against the Ducks will only look good, if the Kings win this game. People will talk about the Kings winning the cup, and look good when the Kings will be in 3rd place. Kings are getting the Defense, goaltending, coaching, system, team play and are on same page. Most importantly road wins. It’s the formlua for the Cup. Should be getting help soon on the trade deadline. A player who will be better than anyone on Kings roster now. Kings will win the cup this year. For some facts. Heres some teams that are favored to win the cup. Canucks, Flyers, Capitals, Red wings. Kings record against these teams as follows. 7 wins and one lost. 4 shutouts. Kings allowed only 11 goals against. If we take away the only lost the flyers when Kings didnt pay any respect. Kings are 7-0 and with 4 shutouts allowing only 4 goals in 7 games against the teams that should be winning the cup. Kings will win the cup if we add Milan from colorado. I will bet my house on it. Go Kings Go. I love my Kings. Happy to be Kings fan after a long time. 93
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leo of pico Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@Jesse, instead of betting your house on it i would be willing to bet a greenmonster box that if the Kings would get Milan from colorado that they would not win the cup and i just might give 2 to 1 i really do not think milan is one of the missing pices
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I now love listening to JR just to hear the one line where he inserts his foot directly into his mouth. At the Heritage Classic…
“I like getting the inside scoop on the undergarments of the guys out here this weekend.”
Uh, good to know Jeremy. Thanks I guess.
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It’s about that time
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Let’s go Kings!! Finish it off right!!
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I’m ready .Got my Monarchs jersey on sitting in front of TV.
GKG
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Isles are expecting a rare sell out tonight. Kings might get a motivated team tonight. Hopefully they can work the Isles undersized D.
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Here we go. Come out with intensity and shoot the puck and score! Go Kings Go!!
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This shoukd be the kind of game where Greene is able to keep his “hot” hand going; the kind of game where even Brown gets on the score sheet…the possibilities are endless.
But what I’ll be keeping my eye on is not how many we score (bc I expect the Kings to win), but how many we give up. If we play our third straight high-goal game, we’re gonna have problems coming out of this trip.
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I feel like god watching Bob and Jim from above. LOL What a dump that place is.
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Zues…c’mon man. That ain’t like you!
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We let these clowns exploit our PP
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Wow.
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Oh my goodness. Come on.
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jmfj
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Ugh… just… ugh.
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Dubya-tee-eff?
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Awful, pitiful start. Thats gponna be a PS.
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Kingme20 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@xeropoint,
I’m real surprised it’s only a penalty, and not a penalty shot. Wake the hell up, guys!
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Short for: “Winning The Future”
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wow…. great job kompon!!! way to earn your check. worst power play ever!
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Talk about a shaky start. What did Terry say
“Don’t get Ambushed”. Sure looks that way so far…
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KIngs talk and talk about being ready, and they freaking sit there and watch their team play
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