Vezina Trophy highlights flaw in NHL awards

By JESSE LIEBMAN

Any time an award or some form of recognition is handed out, it will no doubt inspire agreement, discussion, discourse and debate.

So it should be no surprise that this season’s NHL awards will see its fare share of applause and criticism.

Of note was the announcement from the league on Wednesday that Sergei Bobrovsky, Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy, recognizing  “the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position.”

Aside from the historical significance of this year’s Vezina crop (this is the first time that all three finalists were born and trained in Europe, a commentary on the international growth of the NHL), there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the announcement of the winner.

Will Lundqvist take home his second straight? Will Bobrovsky emerge as the victor in spite of his team missing the playoffs? Could Niemi possibly steal some votes for his stellar play down the stretch? And how on earth did the Bruins’ Tuukka Rask fail to make the cut?

These are all valid questions to ponder, but they aren’t the focus of this piece.

I have always viewed the Vezina Trophy with a curious fascination; not because of who has received it, but rather how a decision on the recipient is determined each year.

Of the major NHL hardware handed out at the conclusion of the season, the Vezina is a unique specimen. Read the full post »

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by Jesse Liebman on May 13, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jesse Liebman on May 13, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/13/vezina-trophy-highlights-flaw-in-nhl-awards/

Playoff Hockey: Despite loss, Islanders embark on new era

By JUSTIN DEMARCO 

IMG_3269The New York Islanders’ season may have ended on Saturday night when defenseman Brooks Orpik scored the overtime and series clinching goal in Game 6 for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I left Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum excited for the beginning of a new era in Islanders hockey.

For this first time in 11 years, I saw the Isles win a playoff game at home.

For the first time in 11 years, I believed the Isles could actually make a run at the Stanley Cup.

For the first time in 11 years, I was truly proud to be an Islanders fan.

Not many people, myself included, had high hopes for this team in 2013. But somehow the management, players and coaching staff found a way to make the Old Barn rock again in May.

Read the full post »

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by justindemarco on May 12, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Islanders, Nassau Coliseum, Playoffs, Twitter
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Posted by justindemarco on May 12, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/12/playoff-hockey-despite-loss-islanders-embark-on-new-era/

Playoff Hockey: So, what do you think about those #LOLanders now?

By JUSTIN DEMARCO

Not many people expected the New York Islanders to be playing in May. Even less people expected the Isles to be tied 2-2 heading into Game 5 of the team’s playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Twitterverse was buzzing when the Isles were matched up with the number one team in the Eastern Conference. Hockey fans thought Pittsburgh would dominate New York and people started referring to the Islanders as the #LOLanders (When you consider the organization’s struggles over the past two decades, that’s fair).

The jokes aren’t so funny anymore Penguins fans, are they? Well, I mean, the Oprah one is still pretty clever.

But that’s why playoff hockey is “Must-see TV.” You never know what’s going to happen.

Read the full post »

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by justindemarco on May 8, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Islanders, Nassau Coliseum, Playoffs, Uncategorized
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Posted by justindemarco on May 8, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/08/playoff-hockey-so-what-do-you-think-about-those-lolanders-now/

Playoff Hockey: Boyle and Brassard break out to edge Caps

By JESSE LIEBMAN

You may have wanted to reach for your heart medication prior to Game Three.

The first playoff match of the 2013 postseason at Madison Square Garden on Monday night was the kind of grudge match that could induce cardiac arrest among the 17,200 Blueshirt Faithful, as the Rangers defeated Washington by a 4-3 score.

Sure, the key offensive players for New York came up big. Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh had solid performances all-around. They will have to continue that trend if the Rangers wish to get out of the first round against a loaded Capitals team.

Incredibly, New York was sparked to their victory by two players whose careers were at varying points considered to be on life support. Read the full post »

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by Jesse Liebman on May 7, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Playoffs, Rangers
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Posted by Jesse Liebman on May 7, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/07/playoff-hockey-boyle-and-brassard-break-out-to-edge-caps/

Isles Fan Reaction: Why I’m OK with the Strait holding penalty in OT

By JUSTIN DEMARCO

When Penguins captain Sidney Crosby gained  position on Islanders defenseman Brian Strait and drove to the net in overtime of Game 3, I knew a penalty was going to be called when Crosby went down and I was fine it.

The crowd clearly disagreed since it was a call against the home team at a pivotal moment, but it was the right call at the time. After reading Jeff Capellini’s excellent column on this play for WFAN.COM, I agree with the majority of his points, except, I believe, the call had to be made.

Strait did everything in his power to keep the puck out of the net and defend against No. 87. That included Strait placing both of his hands on the star’s left shoulder as Crosby crashed the net. As the play developed, the referee, Tim Peel, saw Strait’s hands on Crosby’s jersey, Crosby going to the ice and Strait throwing his hands up as if to say “It wasn’t me.”  Usually, when that happens, a player at least knows he may have done something wrong, hence the “I swear I didn’t do it” reaction.

So, Peel called the penalty.  Since Strait barely contested it I believed that he thought he held Crosby, too. Watching the replay from the angle at the 1:21 mark of this video you can see Crosby goes down pretty easily, but that wasn’t what Peel saw originally.

Read the full post »

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by justindemarco on May 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Islanders, Metro Ice, Nassau Coliseum, Playoffs, Rangers
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Posted by justindemarco on May 6, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/06/isles-fan-reaction-why-im-ok-with-the-strait-holding-penalty-in-ot/

Playoff Hockey: History not on Rangers’ side for Game Three

By JESSE LIEBMAN

Being down 0-2 in a series never bodes well for a team’s postseason hopes.

For the New York Rangers, the outlook appears bleak, even as the series shifts back to New York for Game Three in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against the familiar Washington Capitals, set for Monday evening at Madison Square Garden.

It’s not quite a mountain just yet, but the peak looks awfully far away from here when you realize that history is not on the Rangers’ side.

Since the NHL adopted the full seven-game series length for each playoff round in the 1986-87 season, New York is 1-6 when down two games to none to open a series. Read the full post »

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by Jesse Liebman on May 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Madison Square Garden, Metro Ice, Playoffs, Rangers
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Posted by Jesse Liebman on May 6, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/06/playoff-hockey-history-not-on-rangers-side-for-game-three/

Playoff Hockey: The Coliseum roars again

By JUSTIN DEMARCO

IMG_3057

A packed house at the Coliseum (Photo courtesy Lillian DeMarco)

After waiting six long years to see a New York Islanders playoff game at Nassau Coliseum, the team gave one of its best efforts of the season, but came up just a little bit short in Sunday’s 5-4 overtime loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The opening 12 minutes of the first period were glorious.

The crowd erupted when Josh Bailey hit the first Penguins player he saw on his first shift. From there, it was all cheers any time an Islander collided with a Penguin.

That was quickly followed by mayhem when Matt Moulson put the Isles up 1-0 a little less than two minutes into the game. Considering the Isles rough starts in Games One and Two in Pittsburgh, there was a huge sigh of relief, and even more importantly a feeling that this team can actually beat the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.

Then us Islanders fans discovered nirvana when Casey Cizikas did the improbable and put the team up two goals. Read the full post »

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by justindemarco on May 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Islanders, Metro Ice, Nassau Coliseum, Playoffs
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Posted by justindemarco on May 6, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/05/06/playoff-hockey-the-coliseum-roars-again/

Isles bring pride and passion back to Long Island with playoff berth

By JUSTIN DEMARCO

The last time the New York Islanders were in the playoffs The Departed took home the top prize at the Academy Awards, the number one song on the Billboard Top 100 was Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” and I was apparently still a virgin.

(Spoiler Alert: One of those three facts are wrong. You can do the research on your own if you’d like…)

Read the full post »

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by justindemarco on April 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Islanders, Metro Ice, Nassau Coliseum
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Posted by justindemarco on April 25, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/04/25/isles-bring-pride-and-passion-back-to-long-island-with-playoff-berth/

Rangers poised to make inroads with light schedule

By JESSE LIEBMAN

It was plain to see for just about anyone at the conclusion of the NHL lockout that the shortened schedule would make for some exciting finishes to the regular season. With fewer points up for grabs in the standings, there were bound to be a frenetic scrambles for the final playoff spots in each conference as the final weeks neared.

The New York Rangers (21-16-4) were not expected to be one of those teams.

The Blueshirts were favorites to once again dominate in the regular season en route to a deep playoff run, but events have not unfolded as predicted. A lackluster start to the season and an anemic offense (2.34 goals per game) has led to management moving some critical pieces from the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals run and has put the team’s chances of even guaranteeing a playoff spot in jeopardy.

First things first: the Rangers need to make the playoffs if they want to have a shot to compete for the Stanley Cup. Presently, New York sits in the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference with 46 points and seven games remaining. Read the full post »

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by Jesse Liebman on April 16, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Rangers, Uncategorized
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Posted by Jesse Liebman on April 16, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/04/16/rangers-poised-to-make-inroads-with-light-schedule/

Blue Jackets making run with Rangers castoffs

By JESSE LIEBMAN

In their 12 years of play, the Columbus Blue Jackets have made the playoffs just once; their existence serving as the punch line to a joke that no one asked.

These days, however, there appears to be some light — or at the very least, a small glimmer of hope — making its way through the glass windows of Nationwide Arena. The once moribund franchise has turned a corner and is playing competitive hockey. Incredibly, they’re doing it without the one player who was the face of the team for nearly a decade.

The trade that sent Rick Nash, the club’s all-time leading scorer, to the New York Rangers last July was initially viewed as another butchered transaction by former general manager Scott Howson. Now, however, the Nash trade — along with several other depth maneuvers — is starting to look like a windfall for Columbus and has the team legitimately threatening for a playoff spot in the Western Conference as the regular season schedule draws to a close, aided by a number of former Rangers players.

Read the full post »

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by Jesse Liebman on April 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Rangers, Trades
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Posted by Jesse Liebman on April 14, 2013

http://twominutesforblogging.com/2013/04/14/blue-jackets-making-run-with-rangers-castoffs/

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