Lubo Out Indefinitely, Grabovski In

WASHINGTON – The pivotal fifth game of the Islanders‘ first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals is on tap Thursday night. On Wednesday, it was time for the Islanders to vent about Tom Wilson’s big hit on Lubomir Visnovsky in Game 4 — and for the Caps to brush it off.  Wilson’s hit was no accident, though. A source close to Visnovsky told Newsday that the Islanders are being cautious right now with their player; if he cannot return from this latest head issue, however, it’s not a stretch to believe that the veteran’s 14-year NHL career could be over. “With Lubo, you know his head issues. It makes me sick to my stomach to see him hurt and not feeling good,” Thomas Hickey told reporters after Isles practice Wednesday. “[Wilson] went in to hurt our guy, obviously.” “We have to stay disciplined,” John Tavares said. “We could have easily hit some of their guys that way, but we stay within the rules and play the right way.”  The Isles, already upset over losing Visnovsky, were further incensed when audio of Caps forward Brooks Laich’s radio appearance on a Washington station surfaced on social media. Laich went beyond defending Wilson. “What [the hit] did was Visnovsky got put out of the game and that puts them down to five ‘D’ in the second period,” Laich said. “Playing with six defensemen is tough enough [against us], but playing with five is more difficult. So it’s a quote-unquote good penalty to take.”

The sad reality of the matter is that may be it for Lubo. That could be the final hit that puts an end to his career. And even if he doesnt officially retire, its the sort of thing that you may never be the same after. All because of that scumbag Tom Wilson. I dont know whether it was technically an illegal hit. He didnt really leave his feet or launch. But whats more important is the intent there. You know Tom Wilson was aiming to injure. Eyes lit up when he saw a 5 foot 10 38 year old defenseman and he wanted to obliterate him. Hey, its hockey. It happens. Just dont you dare tell me there was nothing intentional about taking him out. The Capitals admitted as much afterwards with their post game comments. They’ll gladly take a penalty if it means injuring someone and compromising their opponent. Like JT said, the Isles could do the same. Could stroll out on the ice and Marty McSorely Ovechkin. Take him out of the game. Worth the penalty! But they don’t, because they’re not cowards. Nate can compare the Islanders fans being rough and rowdy to the Caps being scumbags all he wants, but thats not how it works. The fans being belligerent and passionate doesnt has nothing to do with the players on the ice being dirty. At least own up to it, Caps fans. Just say Tom Wilson is dirty and went in with intent and that the Isles just have to deal with it. No need to lie to yourselves and pretend there was nothing wrong with that hit. There’s a reason the entire hockey world is buzzing about retaliation.

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To be honest, retaliation shouldnt be on the table right now. The best retaliation is to grab a W tonight, come back home to the Coliseum and finish these fucking pricks off. Dont need to drop the gloves tonight. Dont need to take any major penalties. This team is depleted enough as it is. Any sort of in game retaliation with potential penalties or ejections hurts their chances to win tonight, and thats the only thing that matters. Hammer out, Lubo out – Grabovski in. This makeshift defense is going to need to play a perfect game to win tonight, not pick fights on the ice.

So its time for JT and the rest of the boys to carry the load tonite. Another 1 or 2 goal game ain’t gonna cut it. The D is ravaged with injury. Jaro has been doing all he can behind them but there’s only so much you can expect when you’re missing 2 of your best defensemen. Gonna need a lot of crooked numbers tonight. And I’ll be honest, the way Holtby is playing, will be extremely difficult. It ain’t too promising right now given the circumstances. But we know Tavares and company are capable of putting the puck in the net. Need one of those nights where they do that 4 or 5 times. Time to put your faith in the Captain and beLIeve.