Isles over the Rangers in another shootout

Ever notice that Jaromir Jagr backs away from shootouts like there's cops telling him that "there's nothing to see here?" What is that about?

Here is Jagr's carefully-tailored defense, as written in today's New York Times: "I'm bad, that's all," Jagr said of his performance in shootouts. "There are a lot of good players here."

Pardon me, but if I am backing up Brinks trucks to some guy's house and he also just happens to be the captain of the team, that guy is so taking a chance in the shootout. What kind of leader backs away from a challenge with the game on his stick?

The Drew Carey Show once coined a word that was the combination of "pathetic" and "sad". They called it "pathetisad". Jagr's inability to step up and lead his team when he is needed and counted on is truly pathetisad.

Why they keep him around is beyond me. He seems to be interested less than half the time and the Rangers' announcers know that. They coddle and talk as positively as they can without calling him out and questioning his heart. It's a lot like the way the Islanders treated Yashin; just hoping that he would decide to turn it on once and again. The Giants do the same thing with Jeremy Shockey when they say crap like, "we have to get Shockey involved early" because if he doesn't get a catch or two in the first quarter he will pout and make Eli's day miserable.

But we are not here to bitch about the Rangers. We are here celebrate all things Dubielewicz and Tambellini.

Islanders fans have been begging for Tambellini to get some meaningful minutes for the team. For the most part, I don't think he has been put in a situation where he has much of a chance to contribute on the scoresheet. Sure, The Kid Line (I still prefer The Bridgeport Connection) gets minutes to spell the other guys and bring some energy to the team. And for that, they've been good and have done their job. But Tambellini has to be a guy on one of the top two lines. He has proven himself to be sick at the American League level and somehow, he has got to get there for this team. That's why it was so sweet to see him seal the game for the Isles in the sixth round of the shootout. It had to be a great burden for him since he is known as a scorer in the minors to be able to help the big club win an important game against their fiercest rivals.

And what else can you say about Wade Dubielewicz? The guy just always seems to come up big when the Islanders need him. Dubielewicz made another surprise start against the Rangers on the road in a big spot where his team needed points desperately, and he came through. This is where Jagr could do some learning. Dubie has already stepped in fire and learned from it last year when he pokechecked the Islanders to a shootout victory against the Devils in last year's final game to push our boys into the postseason. When he is needed, he is ready. He understands his role and prepares himself as best he can to deliver whenever he gets an opportunity. How can you not love that? Wade Dubielewicz is a gamer, pure and simple.

What a game it was. There was a definite playoff atmosphere with dueling chants amongst a split crowd. Even the Rangers' announce team of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti were able to recognize that in between cheerleading for Henrik Lundqvist last night. Seriously, boys, the big boy crushes that you have on Lundqvist are not warranted. He's, um, just not that into you. Anyway, for a guy who is supposed to be one of the best goalies in the league, Lundqvist's wide stance let him down last night. He was pretty shaky.

The Islanders took the lead late in the first on a pinball goal from Blake Comeau. They opened up a 3-1 lead in the second on scores by Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim before the Rangers came storming back on goals by Chris Drury in the second and a shorthanded goal by Ryan Callahan.

Once in the shootout, the Islander goals were scored by Bill Guerin and, of course, Jeff Tambellini.

The Rangers make the trip out to the suburbs for another Thursday Night Showdown on Long Island. Rick DiPietro is expected between the pipes for the Islanders. The Isles now have 71 points and are still in tenth place in the playoff push.