Mike and Dan have many words about the firing of Patrick Roy and the hiring of Peter DeBoer as head coach, as well as for the disastrous week that knocked the Islanders out of the playoffs.
Not in a million years did we expect the Islanders to lose all four games in the important week in front of them. But that’s exactly what they did – some in ways that even we hadn’t seen before. The string of defeats at the worst time, plus a series of defensive mistakes all season long, were enough for them to make a change behind the bench. The move from “player’s coach” to hard ass coach is a time-honored NHL tradition, and DeBoer will need to find something the Islanders haven’t had in several seasons if he wants to get them into the post season. Even if it’s too late for this team, he will set the foundation for what to expect next season (and beyond).
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In the second half, we digest the strange Patrick Roy Experience, from a guy who was once out of the Islanders’ stratosphere to a frustrating figure who couldn’t or wouldn’t fix his team’s faults. But Roy isn’t the only one to blame for this situation. There’s the owners who have made the franchise vulnerable to critics, the general manager who has lost both trades and fan goodwill in his first year in the job, the scouts who dropped the ball when needed and the players who have gotten away with way too much for way too long. Everyone owns a piece of this disappointing and confusing campaign.
Finally, we look at the next three games, which will determine both how this season will be remembered and how DeBoer’s tenure will begin. No pressure, coach.
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PLUGS!
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The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
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