Islanders Outwork Leafs

The good news is that Jiggs McDonald will sit in the color chair with Pat Flatley in between the benches tonight as the 14^th place Islanders visit Toronto to face the 12th place Maple Leafs who fell 8-0 to the Boston Bruins last night.  That spells a dangerous game for New York who are coming off a shootout win in Montreal against the Canadiens.

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Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Cizikas-Ullstrom, Martin-Reasoner-Niederreiter.

Defensive pairings: Streit-Reese, Hamonic- MacDonald, Eaton-Staios.

Evgeni Nabokov in goal, Al Montoya backing up.

Jay Pandolfo and Milan Jurcina are scratched

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Phil Kessel and Josh Bailey (Tavares and Parenteau) exchanged goals in the first period, 1-1.  Arthur Staple reports, “PA Parenteau's 47th assist is most for an Isles player since 1993-94, when P. Turgeon (56) and V. Malakhov (47) had as many,” and “1st 40-assist season for John Tavares.” Neither team was penalized and both had their opportunities in the offensive zone. Ullstrom and Cizikas continue to prove solid additions to the line up.  The Islanders outshoot the Leafs 7-5 in the first period.

Toronto makes it 2-1.  John Tavares with some great offensive initiative.  David Ullstrom (Grabner and Cizikas) gets his first NHL goal!  Score even at 2-2. Islanders make some mistakes but with a better offensive push in the second, while Nabokov makes some big saves.  The Defense needs to improve.  The Isles out shoot Leafs 12-4 in the period and 19-9 in the game.

The Islanders are relentless on the Delay of game PP late in the game, Matt Moulson (Tavares and Streit) puts the third rebound home, 3-2 New York.  The Cizikas-Grabner-Ullstrom line is buzzing again.  P.A. Parenteau, the next soon-to-be highest paid Islander, scores unassisted to make it 4-2 Islanders.  The crowd has turned against the home team Maple Leafs in a big way.  Matt Moulson (Parenteau and Tavares) scores into the empty net with 1:40 to go.  5-2 Islanders.  New York out shoots Toronto 14-4 in the period and 34-14 in the game.  They gave up a season low 14 shots against.  Evgeni Nabokov was 12/14 and a .857 Sv%.

The Isles looked pretty good tonight and after some miscues, managed to focus and play well for each other.  They applied pressure to Toronto’s net and took over play in the game by outworking them to the puck.  I will never cheer for the Isles to lose, but now that wins will only count as a measure of pride, each win hurts them for a better draft pick.  Oh well, every game they can win will reinforce their desire to compete and endure adversity.  The first line played like they always do, among the best in the NHL.  Mark Streit has found his game and is fully recovered from his season long injury.  Matt Martin stepped up all night and what can you say about David Ullstrom and Casey Cizikas and their development has gone in the system?  Their linemate, Michael Grabner has been rejuvenated as well. 

Isles Notes:

Per Arthur Staple, Islanders acquire D Yuri Alexandrov from Bruins for future considerations. Alexandrov, 23, was a 2006 2nd-rd pick now playing in KHL.  Brad Kurtzberg reports that Alexandrov will remain in Russia for now according to Isles sources.  After the incident with Anton Klementyev I mentioned on 2/4, “The New York Islanders put Anton Klementyev on unconditional ($125) waivers for mutually-agreed contract termination.”, this is a strange move for another player that will most likely stay in Russia.  Maybe a boys club trade.

Mark Streit is on a four game point streak with 1 goal and 5 assists. He leads all Isles defensemen with 40 points.

Before tonight, Isles defensemen have earned points on the last 11 goals.

Arthur Staple reports chapter of the PHWA has nominated Jay Pandolfo for the NHL's Masterton Trophy.

Soundtigers’ Forward Micheal Haley has been suspended three games by the AHL as a consequence of his actions in Sunday's game at WOR.

Player Transactions - Ethan Cox released from PTO, John Persson and Dan Clarke sign ATOs with Sound Tigers.