The Islanders face Dale Tallon’s Florida Panthers this evening in Florida. The Panthers sit third in the eastern conference and have had a break out year. They are trying to win their division to maintain premium placement in the standings. The Islanders are coming off a tough loss in Tampa Bay and are running out of daylight in their dwindling playoff race. Arthur Staple mentions, “If Islanders lose in regulation today and Caps get at least a point vs. Wild, the Isles will officially be eliminated from playoff contention. That's because Sabres and Caps play on Tuesday; winner gets two points and would be out of reach of Islanders.”
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Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Bailey-Neilsen-Okposo; Grabner-Cizikas-Ullstrom; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.
Defensive pairings: Streit-Reese; Hamonic-MacDonald; Jurcina-Staios.
Evgeni Nabokov starts in net with Al Montoya backing up.
Nino Niederreiter and Mark Eaton are scratched.
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In the first period, Florida presses the forecheck and creates opportunities in front of the Isles net. 1-0 Panthers. Isles need to tighten up team defense in their own zone. P.A. Parenteau being called out for weak defensive play for last two games that resulted in goals against. That misque, is the difference in the game so far. Arthur Staple mentions changes in 3rd and 4th lines with Reasoner between Grabner and Ullstrom and Cizikas between Martin and Pandolfo. Matt Martin hurt by the puck, goes off the ice. Florida is skating and transitioning a little too well. Suspect calls are creeping back into play vs the Isles with Gudbranson shoving Ullstrom into Theodore. Florida out shoots New York, 16-9 in the first period.
The second period starts with the Isles PK finishing off the “goaltender interference,” penalty. Matt Martin back on the bench. Nabokov is keeping the Isles in the game thus far; Isles have no jump or little ability to put the puck on net and force Theodore to make the save tonight. Islanders fail to score on a :25, 5-3 opportunity. Matt Moulson (Tavares and Parenteau) scores! Game tied 1-1. It marks a 3 game goal-scoring streak for Moulson. Isles out shot Panthers 14-8 in the second period, giving Florida a 25-23 advantage in the game to this point.
At the start of the third period, the Isles carry momentum over from the better effort in the second. Half way through the period, the Panthers score off a quirky turn over caused by a strange bounce off the boards. 2-1 Panthers. Kyle Okposo (Nielsen and Bailey) benefits from an error by the Florida defensemen into his own net, Isles score and the game at 2-2. (Okposo was trying to set up a breaking Mark Streit as he went towards the net and the puck found a Florida stick and beat Theodore.) The game ends 2-2 in regulation with the Isles out shooting the Panthers 10-8 in the period and evens the total at 33-33 for the game. Nabokov and Theodore go 31/33 with a .939Sv% during regulation.
In Overtime, both teams press for the advantage. The Isles get some good opportunities including a strong rush by Ullstrom and Jurcina, but Grabner and Nielsen fail to score on two open nets, but Panthers scramble to repel the chances. Video review shows Grabner had stick “inadvertently” knocked out of his hands and should have gotten a penalty shot, but no call on the ice is made and it can’t be officially reviewed and reversed. Nabokov with 4 saves in O.T., Isles out shoot Panthers 37-34. Doug Weight looking like an angry head coach and taking the officials to task on the non call. Foreshadowing?
Game will go to a shoot out.
Nabokov makes the save!
Frans Nielsen scores!
Nabokov makes the save!
John Tavares is stopped by Theodore.
Florida misses the net, Islanders win, 3-2!
Florida gives up a meaningful point to the Islanders and New York comes up big when it mattered in the game. They found a way to stay in it, got strong play by Nabokov and worked hard to get back into the game. Their slim playoff chances remain a mathematical possibility, but an unlikely eventuality.
The Isles are in the fifth lottery position after tonight’s game.
On Tuesday and Thursday, the Isles finish up their road trip with a home at home vs the Pittsburgh Penguins @7 p.m. #Pengwhines
Isles Notes:
Michael Fornabaio of @fornabaioctp reports, Donovan scores through Romano's screen with 2.0 seconds left in O.T. to win it for Bridgeport, 4-3 vs. Ct. Whale. The eight-game winless streak ends. BDT is 2 pts back and control own destiny in North East Div. sandings. Kevin Poulin makes 42 saves for Bridgeport.
Tom Mascioli of @islesinfo mentions, in addition to KHL contract for Kirill Petrov not expiring until 4/30, he most likely plays for Russia at World Championships in May.
From the Canadian press, Quebec City says it will begin construction on a new NHL-style arena this September ready for an NHL team in 2015, exactly when the Islanders will be out of their current lease with Nassau County.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/1151673--quebec-city-commits-to-nhl-style-arena-construction-starting-in-september
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