Perseverance and Isles Notes for 12/10

Your New York Islanders have improved to 9-11-6 despite a second extra session loss to the Blackhawks. The Isles did a lot of good things in that game, including coming back from a 2-0 Chicago lead to force Overtime. In Overtime, a John Tavares pass to Milan Jurcina was intercepted by Isles D Steve Staios. Staios, in an attempt to create a scoring opportunity, mishandled the puck resulting in a Chicago fast break that made the Isles pay for their mistake. Marian Hossa’s shot was answered by Al Montoya, but the rebound came to a wide open Patrick Sharp, who buried the puck into an open Islanders' net. From Islanders.nhl.com, Al Montoya said of Sharp’s OT goal, “Hossa made a good fake, looks like he’s going to pass, throws it off the pad and Sharp was right there. It’s a picture perfect goal.”

It was a tough break for the surging Islanders who saw promising Defensemen, Travis Hamonic, score his first goal of the year set up by D partner Steve Staios. Staios then helped tie the game with a nice shot that Michael Grabner redirected past Chicago net minder, Ray Emery. These were big goals from an Islander Defense that needs to contribute offensively for their team to take the next step.

The Islanders are 4-0-2 in their last 6 games to capture 10 of 12 points in recent weeks. Tonight, the Islanders will face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the fourth time this season. Thus far, the Isles have a dismal 0-2-1 record vs the #Pengwhines.  The effort will need to be there tonight to change things up in the Isles' favor.  Pittsburgh is wrought with key injuries, so now is the time to do damage. 

Go Isles, GO!  ("Rudy" reference)

Star forward, Sidney Crosby will not be in the line up for “precautionary” reasons. He was hit hard several times in the 3-1 home loss vs the Boston Bruins on Monday. Crosby then took Tuesday off and participated in a full practice on Wednesday. During the practice, he collided with F Chris Kunitz that must have hurt Crosby, or at least brought on symptoms associated with post concussion syndrome after a collision. GM, Ray Sherro said that Crosby didn’t feel “100%.”

According to Alan Robinson of the Canadian press, Crosby came up negative in concussion testing after suffering symptoms of dizziness, sensitivity to light and loud noises.These are the symptoms that are often associated with serious concussions, the same factors that kept the star player out of the NHL for 10 months.  Per Chris Botta, Kris Letang and Zbynek Michalek are out tonight.  Jordan Staal will also be out with a lower body injury.

The investigation on fighting and brain injury continues to be a matter of contention with the media. KoC touched on the subject after the tragic deaths of 3 respected NHL enforsers that died this summer. The article can be found here. http://knightofcups-bondi.blogspot.com/2011/08/bonded-by-blood.html

Isles Notes:

Per New York Islanders, Coach Jack Capuano says the Isles will have the same line-up tonight vs the Penguins as the one they had vs the Blackhawks on Thursday.  They will be wearing the controversial Third Jersey.

Al Montoya will start in goal with Kevin Poulin backing him up.

Matt Martin will be playing in his 100^th NHL game tonight.

Tim Wallace is moved from emergency call up to regular call up, no doubt based on his excellent effort and strong play thus far. Looks like Michael Haley will be scratched. More on Wallace can be found here.  http://knightofcups-bondi.blogspot.com/2011/07/islanders-sign-tim-wallace-for.html