All-Star Weekend... Somewhat of a Distraction

Islanders 1 : Bruins 4

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was recently named an All Star with Martin Brodeur's decision to skip the game due to family commitments. Rick DiPietro had known for weeks that he was going to Atlanta to represent the Islanders in the All-Star Game.

From the looks of it, the latter was more distracted than the former. Ironic, no?

The Bruins beat the Isles 4-1, snapping the Isles' four-game road winning streak at 4 and jumping over them by one point in the Eastern Conference standings. No doubt this was one that the Isles had to win to stay in seventh or maybe even creep up to sixth, with the Bruins hot on their heels. However, that was not the case, as the Bruins came out strong and scored first midway through the first period, adding another one in just 52 seconds, and in the second, they took the game completely.

Mike Sillinger would score to keep it from being a shutout, but other than that, it was plain as day to see that the Isles were not focused in this game; rather, they were likely going over what the weekend would bring. Not exactly the best attitude to have, boys. After the break is Ottawa once more, to end the season series, and the Isles have the chance to beat Ottawa and make the series 3-1, for the first time ever (at least, as long as I have been a fan). Let's hope the lack of focus only goes so far as the weekend and then does not become a factor, because after the break, there comes the playoff push, and we can ill afford to become sloppy now. This game is done... let's move on.