The first line of J.T., M.M. and K.O. combined for 8 points in the win. According to Eric Hornick, the 5th best PP in the NHL scored a power play goal and their PK has gone an impressive 18/18 over the last eleven games. Special teams is the best it has been since the 93-94 season with a success rate of 20%. Travis Hamonic continues to evolve as a go to Defensemen for the Isles with a +3 rating and Evgeni Nabokov was spectacular in a dominant 23 save performance where he posted a .958 Sv%.
Scoring Summary: M. Moulson (PPG, 19:07 - 1st) , J. Tavares (07:31 - 2nd) , K. Okposo (11:10 - 2nd) , M. Grabner (18:32 - 2nd) , M. Moulson (13:57 - 3rd).
Coach Capuano said, "I think we elevated our battle level tonight." He added that he was pleased with the way the defense stepped up on both ends of the ice. The Islanders improved to 15-19-6 with 40 games played. This performance was indicative of what we can expect in a perfect game by the Isles. They came out ready to compete, fore-checked hard and did all the little things correctly and with vigor. Consistency is next on the list of goals. Right now, the Islanders are second to last in the NHL. Some things need to change soon, or it will be another disappointing season, and a summer to study another NHL entry draft, expecting to landing a top pick for being a really bad team. Enough already. With a few allusive key additions to their roster, the Islanders can possibly do some real damage, like they showed last night. They have a very good core of young players and some dynamic impact players in the line up. Last night, the Isles indeed played to the level of their opponent. Actually, they outplayed one of the best and most disciplined teams in the NHL by outworking them in every aspect of the game. How can we expect to see performances like this more often?
1) Keep it basic and stick to fundamentals. Avoid the lazy play and keep fighting until the buzzer sounds.
2) Working hard will cause the opponent to have to cheat and take chances to avoid being outplayed. This will, as it did last night, help the team score 5 on 5.
3) Stick up for one another, but play in a disciplined way. Respect can be expected if it has been earned. Believe.
4) The goaltending situation needs to be stabilized. I am a big fan of Rick DiPietro, but a decision has to made and soon. His kind of heart and character can be asset for the organization off the ice. He is simply injured too often as a player and this is hurting the team.
5) Keep Mottau and Reasoner out of the line up. Mike Mottau has just declined since becoming an Islander. While I thought Marty Reasoner was an upgrade from Kenopka, he has shown that he too is a liability. Give the younger guys a chance to develop and contribute. Lets see Reese, Donovan, Cizikas, Rakhshani, Ullstrom, DiBenedetto and Ness continue to get real looks.
6) Bring back Trevor Gillies.
I want to keep hearing Islander fans cheering, "You can't beat us!"
Isles Notes:
Montoya, Nabokov and Poulin in the nets at Islanders’ practice. David Ullstrom participated after being activated off IR, and was then assigned to Bridgeport.
Al Montoya (concussion), Marty Reasoner (broken thumb) and Dylan Reese (healthy) were scratched last night.
Mike Mottau, Rick DiPietro, and Mark Katic are all still on injured reserve. Per Eric Hornick, the Isles have lost 199 man-games to injury so far this season.
Among active goalies, only Brodeur (637), Khabibulin (327) and Luongo (325), have more wins in their careers than Evgeni Nabokov, who is close behind with 299.
Anton Klementyev Still Suspended for failing to report on assignment to the ECHL for the Idaho Steelheads, and instead, went back to Russia.
The Islanders face the Philadelphia Flyers at home on Thursday night @ 7 p.m.
And don’t forget:
Fake Henrik Zetterberg Episode 11!
p.s. we won. zing!
No comments:
Post a Comment