- Team-wide effort Claude Julien is a coach who loves to roll four lines, and when the B's can get each line going they're tough to beat. Last night was one of those occasions, as each line scored at least one goal and everyone seemed to be producing. If the B's can perform like that more consistently, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.
- Seguin keeps responding For those keeping score, Tyler Seguin now has three points in three games since his healthy scratches last week. For those who say Claude Julien is killing the kid's confidence, it looks like it may have had the opposite effect: Seguin looks more motivated and has an extra jump in his step. Maybe Claude made the right choice? Just sayin'...
- Solid start for Tuukka Aside from the Islanders' third goal, Tuukka Rask had a solid game and even made a couple of sterling stops. John Tavares' first goal was a thing of beauty and Josh Bailey's goal was an absolute rocket that Rask never saw. The Isles' third goal was a bad rebound given up by Rask, but it was really his only mistake of the night. Games like this should go a long way towards rebuilding the youngster's confidence.
- A power play goal and a point from Nathan Horton in the same game! "Somebody call the devil and see if Hell is still frozen."
The Bad
- Mike Milbury rips the Isles After the first period last night, Mike Milbury went off on the Islanders for dressing goons, playing like thugs, etc. And while I agree that the team's display against the Penguins last Friday was an embarrassment, this is a perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black. Milbury ripping people for playing like goons? He went into the stands and beat up a fan. WITH A SHOE. Milbury ripping the Isles for playing scrubs? It could be argued that he's a major reason why the team is in its current state of disarray personnel-wise (though some argue it was ownership that pushed for some of his worst trades). It just seemed a little unnecessary and misplaced for a guy like Milbury to be ripping the Isles for issues of that nature.
- Weird second period After the B's played an excellent first period in which they dominated the Islanders up and down the ice, things got a bit wild in the second. Call it a push-back from the Islanders if you want to, but allowing 22 shots on goal in a period to a struggling team like the Islanders is borderline inexcusable. Luckily for the B's, the Isles didn't exactly climb back into the game, but the B's will need to tighten things up against better teams (which is something I feel like I've been repeating all season long, but whatever).
The Rest
- Trade speculation continues to swirl, as Mark Stuart was a healthy scratch last night and multiple parties are reporting a Tomas Kaberle trade is nearly complete this morning. Stay tuned, this could be a busy Friday for the B's.
Attaboy: Seguin. He had a great game tonight and has looked good since being a healthy scratch.
Providence Shuttle: Milbury. Stop criticizing something that's partly your fault, Mike.
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