Winning Is The Only Thing

Last night in Carolina, the Islanders found a way to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-2.

 

Forward lines: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Grabner-Nielsen-Parenteau; Martin-Bailey-Rakhshani; Niederreiter-Pandolfo-Wallace.

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

Eric Hornick points out that It marks the third time this month the Isles were able to beat Kirk Muller’s squad, a team that they have consistently had difficulty in defeating. Rhett Rakhshani looked good after being called up for the game.  He showed the hockey vision and stick work he has been known for in the AHL.  I think he has earned a serious look on the big squad, especially with how well he played with line mates Matt Martin and Josh Bailey.

Parenteau, Moulson, Okposo and Tavares (2) all scored for New York.  Three Islanders are among the top 21 in NHL scoring: Tavares is 3rd (53 pts), Moulson is 17th (46 pts), & Parenteau is 21st (45 pts).

Kevin Poulin looked solid in the contest.  He battled hard and made a few key saves, especially after the Hurricanes tied the game at 2-2, coming back with a vengeance in the third period.  The Islanders held fast and continued to battle behind John Tavares and finished off the hurricanes with consistency and discipline.  Head Coach, Jack Capuano had this to say about Kevin Poulin’s performance against the Hurricanes, “I thought he played exceptionally well and gave us a chance to win this game tonight.”  Poulin had 21 saves on 23 shots with a .913Sv%.  Brian Compton states that Kevin Poulin became the fourth different goalie to win a game for the Islanders this season, it was his first NHL win since February 5^th.

The Islanders continue to play well, stay in games and compete hard against a myriad of opponents.  They have been able to win against teams that have traditionally given them trouble.  This could be an indicator of their development as a team.  My main concerns are consistency and secondary scoring.  Individually and in groups, some Islanders are having great years. 

Examples are the Tavares line, PA Parenteau, A-Mac and Hamonic just to name a few.  When I compare the Islanders to some of the top NHL teams, they have a lot of similar components and attributes on paper.  What they don’t have is as many wins.  That is really all that matters to a top team, so what is the problem then?

The wins need to come and this falls on the coaching staff.  Coach Capuano and crew need to continue this streak and show they are capable of building confidence in the group of current players.  We know another top Defensemen and Forward would be nice, but more needs to be done with the current squad.

Isles Notes:

NHL.com reports that John Tavares has been named 1^st Star of the month for 'Three Stars' of January.  They say, “In 13 games this past month, Tavares registered 9 goals and 13 assists while displaying remarkable consistency in being held off the score sheet just once. His 4-point night against the Hurricanes marked the sixth time in January he had a multi-point game -- Tavares also had a pair of 3-point games and three 2-point efforts. He also had 4 game-winning goals and had a hand in 62.9 percent of the Islanders' goals (22 points on 35 goals).”  The Islanders went 7-5-1 during that stretch.

Eric Hornick reports that John Tavares has 5 career 4-point games; since 1994-95 only 1 Islander had more 4-pt games. Ziggy Pallfy had 8 of them.

Brian Compton reports that over the last 14 games for John Tavares: 11 goals, 15 assists. Eight multi-point games.

Bill Both of @BCISLEMAN says the win vs Carolina gave the Isles “15 pts for Jan. If they had 15 pts a month, they'd have 60 pts & be in 6th seed.  Need 47 of remaining 64 pts.”

The New York Islanders announce a preseason game in Brooklyn on Oct. 2 vs. Devils.

Kevin Poulin has been returned on loan to Bridgeport.

Tom Mascioli of @islesinfo reports that "Casey Cizikas has been named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for period ending Jan. 29, 2012. Went 4-5-9 in 3GP, +5."  Cizikas represented the Bridgeport Sound tigers in the AHL all-star game and had a goal in the game.

The Islanders are at Ottawa on Friday, 7:30pm and at home against Buffalo on Saturday at 7:00pm.