63. New York Islanders at Boston Bruins. ROLSTON REVENGE MODE: ACTIVATE

Poor Brian Rolston. Guy went from playing for the New Jersey Devils, a championship franchise in the NHL, to the New York Islanders which is known for a shitty arena, a shitty third jersey and an even shittier management team. It was so bad for Rolston that the Islanders put him on waivers a week before he was traded to Boston along with Mike Mottau.

I believe that being traded away from the Islanders goes something like this:

– Phone rings. Player A answers. Gets news about being traded away from Long Island.
– Multiple fist pumps, possible fuck yeah screamed over and over.
– Walk out of home, hear a choir of angels singing.
– Head to Nassau to get bags, players are envious.
– Head to plane. Fans come to see you off. Yes, both of them.
– Arrive at new arena.
– Everything smells better. Food tastes better. Sex with significant other is better.

I mean, based on how they’ve played for the past the twenty years or so, how could anyone willingly want to play there? Shit, when the Bruins travel there for a game, three-quarters of the arena is filled with black and gold fans. People talk about Phoenix and wonder how the Coyotes still have a team but why isn’t anyone wondering the same with the Islanders. They have New Jersey and the Rangers around them, both have been more successful since the Islanders run in the 80s.

Yes, New York has a lot of young talent but do you think someone like John Tavares or Matt Moulson is going to stick around when their respective contracts are up? The answer is no. Some contender will pay them (lets hope Boston wants to pay one of them) some good bucks to play hockey in their sweater.

Boston is coming off of a fantastic win against the New Jersey Devils. If you haven’t read the game recap yet, do so. David Krejci was a beast. I’m not going to go into the win itself because I want you to read the recap. There’s nothing I can say that Jon doesn’t say better and with quality photoshops. Who doesn’t love the Causeway Saints?

David Krejci and Tyler Seguin, the Causeway Saints, are ready to put the Islanders out of their misery

The Islanders are coming off of a 6-3 whooping at the hands of the Flyers. What do you expect with a team that is 14th in the conference. Want a good laugh? The Islanders are 14th in the Eastern Conference as I stated above. Guess who is last in the East? The Montreal Canadiens. It makes me smile every time.

The more important news is what we’re calling: The Ottawa Tracker.

The Bruins and Senators are battling for the top spot in the Eastern Conference so with every game preview, we will take a look as to where Ottawa is and what happened in their previous game. Ottawa played last night against the Chicago Blackhawks and lost 2-1 in regulation. That’s huge for the Bruins because the B’s have a three point lead in the Northeast and could distance themselves a little more with a win today.

Ottawa will play Floriday on Sunday.

After the jump, the rest of the preview...

Bruins’ Projected Lineup

Notes: Keep the Lucic-Krejci-Seguin line together after dominating performance against New Jersey. Poor Brad Marchand, how will he deal?
Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Tyler Seguin
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Brian Rolston
Beniot Pouliot – Chris Kelly – Jordan Caron
Dan Paille – Greg Campbell – Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara – Greg Zanon
Dennis Seidenberg – Johnny Boychuk
Adam McQuaid – Mike Mattou

Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas

breakup Poor Brado. Never saw it coming.