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From: kaufman@uiucdcs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Islanders-Rangers/Islanders-Caps - (nf)
Message-ID: <13100002@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Apr-84 11:16:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.13100002
Posted: Wed Apr 18 11:16:00 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Apr-84 02:27:13 EST
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Nf-ID: #R:ucbvax:-22500:uiucdcs:13100002:000:1962
Nf-From: uiucdcs!kaufman    Apr 18 10:16:00 1984

#R:ucbvax:-22500:uiucdcs:13100002:000:1962
uiucdcs!kaufman    Apr 18 10:16:00 1984

[Just when you thought it was safe to bet against the Islanders]

     Beware: the Islander defense has come to life.  This was evident in Game
3 of the Washington series, and apparently in Game 4 (which I didn't see), where
the Caps were allowed few good shots.  The Islanders have been crowding the
slot and daring the Capitals to put an outside shot past Billy $mith (money
goaltender).  Defensemen have been blocking shots left and right, and the
checking has suddenly become fierce.  The offense has been coughing up the
puck a bit too much (witness Christian's goal off the breakaway in Game 4),
but again Smith has come through.  The Islander power play has become fearsome
again, and all 19 (Melanson has been watching) players have contributed.  This
team has shown time and again that it can be outplayed and still win.  And when
not outplayed ...
     Besides, who is going to knock them off?  Washington must win 3 in a row
from them; Edmonton and Montreal were a combined 0-15-1 against the Islanders
the past two years; Minnesota and St. Louis can be tough, but first they have
to get past each other and Edmonton(?).  Calgary went 3-0 against New York this
season, but now must go 3-0 against Edmonton against whom they have had much
less success.
     And what about Quebec?  One might notice that this playoff year bears a
strong resemblance to the one the Islanders had in 1982.  In that year, they
were taken to the limit in the miniseries (down 3-1 against Pittsburgh with
6 minutes to play in the final game, they came back to win in overtime).  They
then lost the first game of a tough division championship series against the
Rangers before winning in 6.  Up next were the Nordiques, promising a very
difficult road to the finals.  Result: The Islanders did not lose another game.
     Once again this year, the Islanders have been getting stronger as the
playoffs have progressed.  It seems clear to me that they will make it 5 in a
row.