Islanders Endure, Shoot Down Jets

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Grabner-Nielsen-Parenteau; Martin-Bailey-Rolston; Pandolfo-Reasoner-Niederreiter.

Defensemen: Streit-Staios; Ness-MacDonald; Eaton-Jurcina

Evgeni Nabokov is in goal for the Islanders with Al Montoya backing up.

Marty Reasoner returns to the line up. Tim Wallace and Ty Wishart are scratched.

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The Islanders are unable to convert on the chances they are given in the 1^st period.  A  loose puck in front of Nabokov’s net turns into a goal for the Jets, where was the Isles defense there?  Andrej Pavlec looks strong for Winnipeg thus far and Nabokov keeps New York in the game.  1-0 Jets after the first.  Isles are being out shot 16-10.

Niederreiter & Reasoner go on a 2 on 0, Nino passes to Reasoner and they get nothing to show for it.  The top line comes through as Moulson scores his 25^th goal of the season from J.T.  Nabokov looks strong in the second period, continuing to make some big saves.  The Islanders are starting to play better as a team and passing the puck well.  A-Mac protecting his goaltender, I love to see that.

P.A. Parenteau gets shoved into the glass from behind by Antropov, Stephen Walkom calls Antropov for Interference and Parenteau for embellishment?  Unreal.

Then J.T. plays the puck up on the glass and it’s called "in" by the closer Official.  The Jets protest and the trailing Official, Walkom changes the call.  The Islanders are killing off a 2-minute penalty for delay of game as a result.  Isles being out shot 10-7 in the period and 26-17 for the game after 2 periods.

P.A. Parenteau deflects Jurcina’s shot and the Isles take a 2-1 lead to start the third.  Nino Niederreiter in scoring position twice, but comes up empty.  His stronger play hasn’t resulted in a goal just yet.  No call on an “embellishment” from the Jets, sends Rolston to the box for another Winnipeg power play.  And P.A. Parenteau called on a cross check for a push into a Winnipeg player's back to play for the puck.  This is an amazing display of officiating for the NHL.  I think that each poorly called game is as bad as it can get and then they make an even worse series of calls in another game.  Jets are buzzing late in the game.  P.A. Parenteau keeps the puck behind the empty net and dishes it to Matt Martin for the empty net goal to seal the deal.  Islanders win 3-1.  The Isles were out shot 12-8 in the period and 38-25 in the game. 

Huge win for Islanders.  It marks the first 4 game road-winning streak since 2008.  The Defense got better as the game went on.  Evgeni Nabokov was solid again with 37 saves and a .974 Sv%.  John Tavares is relentless when he wants the puch.  Patrick Flatley compared him to Pavel Datsyuk in that way.  A-Mac played tough all night, he’s a real leader on the ice for New York.  Aaron Ness was impressive again. 

With the loss by Toronto, New York finds themselves only 6 points out (in 11^th spot, 24-24-8 with 56 pts.) of the final playoff position with the win against Winnipeg.  Still a long way to go.

Can the Isles sign P.A. Parenteau to an extension already!

Isles Notes:

Per Kevin Schultz, @Schultz88 on Islanders Point Blank, ABLI’s Vince Polimeni spoke to CBS yesterday, explaining his thoughts on the HUB site if the Islanders leave in 2015.

“Make the assumption they are leaving. Their lease is up in two years. We will then pursue other teams that are out there that would maybe want to relocate to the Island, because it’s a great spot. Or not. We can just do the development that doesn’t involve the Coliseum.”

Ok, then.  Next!