Isles In Boston - Let's Make a Difference

Some thoughts on tonight's impending game here at HockeyBuzz.com

But I'm wondering if we can get some Christmas Magic going for this team that stands at a total of 15 points and five wins. Suppose everyone simultaneously did something at the same time tonight in honor of the team, maybe we can cause a rift in the atmosphere of losing.

How about at 6:30 pm tonight, as Rob Carlin's pregame show begins, we all say "Isles Win!" three times? Pretty easy to do, less messy than sacrificing a chicken (even if it is a Boston Market one), and maybe -- Just MAYBE -- we can make a difference.

Calling for goals from JT and #MightyMattMoulson tonight as well as Frans Nielsen. Calling for a win in regulation. Calling for Trevor Gillies to intimidate anyone and everyone. Calling for two points. And that's the most important call of all.

A Note to the Isles Faithful from Rob Carlin of MSG

Today was the day the Islanders come back to the Coliseum for the the last time this season to pack up, sign rows of sticks and jerseys and have their last chat with Coach Gordon. While they were at it, they spoke with the media and were interviewed by Chris King for ITV. Oh, and I was there too for a little while.

But while I'm taking my time to transcribe all the interviews I did this afternoon, I've to a Thank You note from someone we've spent a little time with this year.

So here's a note from MSG's Rob Carlin.

I just wanted to thank all the passionate and dedicated Islanders fans I've met and got to know throughout my first season with MSG.

I grew up in Bellmore and lived and breathed the Islanders as a kid. I remember May 24, 1980, at 7:11 of overtime, when Bobby Nystrom made the Islanders Stanley Cup Champions for the first time. I was actually in the Coliseum, chanting "But-chie", when Butch Goring won the Conn Smythe Trophy as they went back to back. Watching in wide eyed amazement when Mike Bossy contorted his body in mid-air and squeezed the puck past "King" Richard Brodeur on their way to a 3rd straight Cup. And Bryan Trottier slamming his fists on top of the Cup after holding off Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers in 1984, sparking Sports Illustrated to brand the Islanders "the greatest team to ever lace on skates."

Now I get to work with Butch and call the Coliseum my office. John Tavares recently told Deb Placey that his rookie season has been "a wild ride." I know how he feels. My first year with the Islanders has had its share of ups and downs but I promise every minute has been a dream come true.

I hope to be back next year and be a part of an Islanders return to glory. If that works out, I'll see you all at the Coliseum. If not, let me say thank you again for letting me live out my dreams. And, as always, Let's Go Islanders!!

Rob Carlin
Pre & Post Game Host
New York Islanders Hockey
MSG Network

With the amount of interviews I did today, it will give me material for a week. But it will also take me awhile to write them. I'm only part-time you know!

**Note: Congrats to Scott Gordon on being chosen as the Coach for Team USA for the World Champiionships in May. I told him to start packing a few of those custom suits of his!

MSG POLL - Log On & Vote

Direct from Rob Carlin of MSG: Attention #Islanders fans.. We are taking a poll at MSG.com on the best NY area hockey players, by position.. Log on and vote!!

and considering how well Mark Streit is doing... I think we should VOTE! Don't you?

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? Isles 4 - Bruins 1

When Scott Gordon said he only wanted to be "okay" on the road, did he really see this coming? The Islanders currently have 23 points and sit at 7th place, until more games are played today, of course. But STILL! That's the same number of points at the NY Rangers. Ahem, ahem.

The team that lost a handful in a row and had many of us, myself included, chanting "Taylor Hall" is now making us all question "Playoffs?" It went so far as hearing that questioned possibility on the Bill Watters show yesterday on AM640 Toronto. Don't you just LOVE when our NY Islanders shock the pants off the pundits? I certainly do.

So while everyone worried about Canadian Wunderkind John Tavares languishing on Long Island in a desert of obscurity, their fears were unfounded. JT and his side-kick #MightyMattMoulson have become an NHL fairytale in the making.

Certainly the injury fairy could come along and change all that, but right now, I'd say the NY Islanders are doing pretty damn well in gaining respect around the league. As Matt said last night to Rob Carlin, "We're going to be a tough team to stop."

Yep, I concur. More on Matt, our night of Twitter trending #MightyMattMoulson, coined by Isles fan @MattClausen, and the two big points Dwayne Roloson stole from the Bruins, here on my post game at HockeyBuzz.