Mave's Pre-Game Islanders Raves Ahead of Matchup vs. Maple Leafs
Ahead of the New York Islanders matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, The Maven Stan Fischler had some things he wanted to say.
* Tonight's game is the most important game of the season for two reasons: 1. The Islanders (12-7-7) want to fortify their hold on a playoff berth. 2. John Tavares. (Anyone remember when we liked him?)
* Proof that Lou Lamoriello still has his fastball was evident in the past week after his defense took a medical beating.
* With snaps of two fingers -- and seemingly out of nowhere -- Larrupin' Lou obtained Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo. Both fit like a bug in a rug.
* Super-motivated because he's finally getting to demonstrate that he can be a Top Sixer, Reilly proved his worth with a big assist on Anders Lee's opening goal against the Kings. That tied the game 1-1.
* Bortuzzo is one of those solid, likable vets who still have the goods. He reminds me of one of my all-time favorite Isles backliner is Adrian Aucoin.
* A few things that make you appreciate Anders Lee as a captain: He looks like a captain, and he leads like a captain, and he battles like one.
* Coach Lane Lambert added one more quality that led to a pair of goals on Saturday: "He gets to the front of the net."
* Speaking of outstanding captains, Denis Potvin's very large portrait is being painted by one of the best artists in the business, Rich Torrey, my pal and son of The Great Bow Tie Bill.
* How many know Bo's real name? How about Bowie William Horvat.
* Apart from his goals, assists, and brilliantly-won face-offs, Bo is a master of subtle moves that are best appreciated by his linemates -- and do not require analytics to be understood.
* If you're wondering what one of your favorite Islanders was thinking on an OT breakaway, my partner-in-paragraphs, Rapid Rosner, got to Jean-Gabriel Pageau post-game vs. L.A.
* The fascinating part is that during his mile-a-minute dash down the ice J-G had time to change his mind.
* "I was thinking of shooting," Pageau told Rosner, "but it hasn't been working. Then I remembered what Casey (Cizikas) did -- and it worked."
* Shots on goal can be a deceptive stat; no question. But big saves cannot be denied. The Maven can assure you that the Sorokin-Varlamov combo ranks high on the NHL lists in that key category.