Ovi Capitializes Against Isles

New Forward Lines:  Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey; Grabner-Cizikas-Okposo; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive Pairs:  Streit-Staios; MacDonald-Hamonic; Eaton-Jurcina.

Evgeni Nabokov will get the start again with Al Montoya backing up.

Josh Bailey is back from a 2 game absence with back spasms.

Steve Staios is back from a lower body injury.

Nino Niederreiter is a healthy scratch for tonight's game.

Dylan Reese and Rick DiPietro are out with long-term injuries.

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The 13^th place Islanders at 26-28-8 with 60 pts, visit Dale Hunter and his 9^th place Washington Capitals who sport a record of 31-26-5 with 67 pts tonight.  New York is currently 8 pts out of a playoff spot in the eastern conference before tonight’s game, having gone 4-6-0 in their last 10.  The Isles are 2-0-0 against the Capitals this season with two games remaining, including tonight.  It is a must win game for New York.  Garth Snow didn’t make any major moves at the deadline yesterday.  Some would say he couldn’t. 

I would like to buy into the school of thought that no value could be had in the trades available to benefit the Islanders, so he is showing his current roster he is confident they could make the playoff as they stand.  While it is possible, I thought they needed a change at forward and defense by the deadline.  Hopefully, this will come in the form of solid prospects emerging from Bridgeport like Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald have been able to do over the past couple of seasons.  Casey Cizikas and David Ullstrom can make their presence felt with the opportunity available. 

As I mentioned previously, how the Isles perform in this week against the Capitals, Flyers and Bruins (now with Rolston and Mottau) will determine their 2012 play off fate.  Three loses will spell their doom while three wins may very well start a run to catapult them into the top eight of the eastern conference.

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The Islanders start out the first period being outplayed by the Capitals, being out shot 13-3.  Josh Bailey makes it 1-0, Isles with assists by Nielsen and MacDonald.  The Caps press and trap the Isles in their own zone throughout most of the period, but Nabokov staying strong for New York.  The Isles PK playing much better thus far in the game.


Islanders are 14-1-6 when leading after 1^st period.  The Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey line is playing very well.  I like the way Grabner and the Hamonic-A Mac pair is doing as well.  Islanders look like a different team this period.  Nabokov still solid.  Isles are 4-4 on the PK.  Isles out shooting the Caps 12-7 in the second.

Washington 4-20-2 when trailing after 2 periods.  Matt Moulson (Staios and Parenteau) scores 2:30 into the third to make it 2-0 Islanders.  Islanders make a mistake in their defensive zone and Washington takes advantage to make it 2-1 with less than 3:00 remaining.  Washington is buzzing and Nabokov remains focused.  Capitals take their time out to draw up a play with :31.8 seconds remaining with Neuvirth on the bench.  Capitals make the most of their opportunity and score at the :25 mark, game is tied at 2-2.  Weak defensive play undoes a good Isles effort yet again.

Game will go to O.T.

Nabokov was 31/33 .939 Sv% and Neuvirth made 21/23 .913 Sv% in regulation.

Alex Ovechkin wins it in O.T. 

Isles hang on to a point, but give away 2.  I have to start hanging these breakdowns, weak defensive play and player selection on Coach Capuano. 

Washington Capitals win the game 3-2. 


Arthur Staple: Travis Hamonic: "It’s cliche but it’s part of the process, learning how to win. Don’t know how many times we have to learn it the hard way."


1 down, 2 to go until zero hour.

Isles Notes: 

Frans Nielsen is playing in his 300th NHL game tonight.