The 15th place New York Islanders are 28-32-11 with 67 pts and visit the 14th place Montreal Canadiens, who sit at 28-32-12 with 68 pts in the Eastern Conference.
Oh, and Happy St. Patricks Day!
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Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Bailey-Nielsen-Parenteau; Grabner-Cizikas-Ullstrom; Niederreiter-Reasoner-Martin.
Defensive Pairings: Streit-Reese; Hamonic-MacDonald; Eaton-Jurcina
Al Montoya is in net with Evgeni Nabokov backing up.
Steve Staios (day to day lower body) and Jay Pandolfo are scratched.
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Montreal scores early in the first period on another terrible angle shot bouncing between Montoya’s legs, 1-0 Montreal. Isles seem subdued for most of the period. Isles put together a few good rushes and create some pressure on Budaj. Martin and White drop the gloves trying to stir something up. Isles PK does the job, but the Canadiens are setting the tempo and taking it to New York. Montoya looks a little rusty, but has come up big a few times. The Islanders got a little better effort as the period went on, but were out shot 12-10. The Isles blocked 8 shots.
The Islanders come out continuing to apply pressure, showing patience and putting pucks on net. Streit with some nice moves on the PP, scores, unassisted and ties the score at 1-1. Isles effort is improving here in the second, out working Montreal in every aspect of the game. They could lose some of the fancy pants passing plays that usually result in turnovers though. Montreal evens out the play late in the period, good intensity for both teams. Al Montoya has found his grove and looks much more comfortable. Mark Streit seems to have good efforts vs Montreal. Frans Nielsen scores off a nice wrist shot to give the Isles a 2-1 lead. Isles strong period results in out shooting the Canadiens 16-9 in the second and 28-19 in the game to this point.
Montreal scores off the rush to even the score at 2-2. David Ullstrom and Casey Cizikas continue to impress with their consistent play in each game. Momentum continues to shift in the third period. Mark Streit called for delay of game with 1:17 to play in the third period. The Isles PK is 3 for 3 so far in the game. The Isles out shot Montreal 7-6 in the period and 37-25 in the game. Montoya had 24 saves with a .923 Sv%.
The penalty will continue with a :43, 4 on 3 for the Canadiens in overtime. Isles kill off Montreal PP in O.T. The Isles making some huge defensive plays (Streit, Reese and Hamonic) in the extra period and Montoya stays focused. Andrew MacDonald is a machine. Lots of action in the final minute for both teams.
The game going to shootout.
Montreal scores.
Frans Nielsen scores!
Shot goes wide for Montreal.
J.T. hits a post, no goal.
Shot goes wide again for Montreal.
P.A. Parenteau shoots wide.
Montreal scores.
Matt Moulson scores!
Al Montoya makes the save.
K.O., no goal.
Montreal misses the net.
Josh Bailey scores!
Islanders win 3-2 in a gritty character filled game where they continued to fight against adversity and not give up. It was a nice thing to see after the last few loses and to do it on the road in a place like Montreal was great. The physical effort was evident and the offensive push found its composure as the game went on.
Tonight, the coaching was there and seemed to keep the team focused. Credit where it is due, but I am still in for of a coaching change. Lets hope for another good effort in the game against Toronto on Tuesday.
Isles Notes:
Michael Fornabaio reports the Sound Tigers are winless in five and have lost three in a row after a 5-3 loss at Portland. Remain two points out of first in the Northeast Div.
Tom Mascioli of @islesinfo reports, Brock Nelson scored 2 goals last night to lead UND to a 4-1 win over SCSU in the WCHA Final Five Quarterfinals. Nelson scored his 27th goal of the season and 4th in 3 games, at 17:43 of the 1st prd tonight to give UND a 1-0 lead over DU in the WCHA Championship game.
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