Today, your New York Islanders face off against the Ottawa Senators at the NVMC. The Senators are still alive in the playoff race and need a win here today to make the cut. They will have to do it without Daniel Alfredson and Jason Spezza. The good news is that the Isles aren’t wearing the alternate black jerseys in this matinee game, so they have a chance.
Congratulations to F, Matt Martin for being awarded the 2012 Bob Nystrom award. The Bob Nystrom award is given to the Isles player who best exemplifies leadership, perseverance and dedication over the course of the season. Martin is well deserving of the award.
Islanders’ owner, Charles Wang wanted to address the fans on fan appreciation day with Howie Rose on the pre-game show. Wang spoke on the Isles, "Everyone knows how disappointed I am with the (arena) process, and there is nothing to report on,“ and ” Bringing in the right talent, building from within, I know it’s frustrating for the fans and the players. " He was evasive on spending beyond the cap floor and said, “it was about finding the right players.” Wang continues, “thanks for your support, we have a young team, moving in the right direction and looking ahead to next season.” On the Management and Coaching, Wang said, “ (he) has complete confidence in his coach and GM and both will be back next season,” even after 5 straight no shows in the playoffs for the Isles. He concludes that he is “disappointed in the elected politicians that have weighed into the arena failure” and that they “should be held accountable.” Wang said he is still “committed” to keeping the Islanders in New York, but he doesn’t know what the future will bring.
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Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo; Grabner-Reasoner-Niederreiter; Haley-Pandolfo-Martin.
Defensive Pairings: Streit-Staios; Hamonic-MacDonald; Eaton-Jurcina.
Al Montoya is in net with John Grahame backing up.
Dylan Reese is scratched today.
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In the first period, the Isles come out with a post and some good early chances, but fail to get anywhere on their first PP opportunity. Tavares (and Moulson) with a sweet pass up to Streit from behind the net and the puck goes off his skate and into the net. 1-0 Isles. Haley gets into it with a much bigger Neil, hold his own and gets the takedown. Ottawa scores on a broken defensive play for the Isles in the final minutes of the opening period. Game tied at 1-1. Senators out shoot Isles 13-9.
In the second period, Grabner fails to convert on a short handed rush, and Ottawa takes the lead shortly afterwards. 2-1 Senators. And a puck off Reasoner’s skate in the crease and its now 3-1 Senators. Montoya looks shaky again today for the Isles. Montoya loses sight of puck sitting by his right foot; Ottawa tucks it in for a 4-1 lead. John Tavares shows his frustration at different points in the period and the Islanders look terrible in the game so far. Ottawa out shoots New York 10-9 in the period and 23-18 in the game to this point.
In the third period, Michael Haley goes after Neil after he was bullying a fallen Andrew MacDonald, but Neil chose not to answer. PP Senators. 5-1 Ottawa. That will be the final. The game ends in a chorus of boos with the isles out shooting the Sens 12-9 in the period, but Ottawa out shooting New York 32-30 in the game. Al Montoya was 27/32 with a .844 Sv%.
Without Daniel Alfredson and Jason Spezza, two of their best players, the Ottawa Senators were able to easily handle the New York Islanders led by Al Montoya in goal. It was fan appreciation day today and the Islanders chance to play spoiler to Ottawa who needed a win to make the playoffs, but despite being physically in the building and as a team, the Islanders not named Michael Haley failed to show up for the most part and fell back down to two games below an NHL .500. After defensive blunders, more suspect goaltending by the once solid, Al Montoya and a visibly angry John Tavares, there was just more frustration for the 14,210 loyal fans who came out to support Charles Wang’s team, even though they were knocked out of playoff contention yesterday.
We’re all Islanders.
The Islanders have 3 games remaining, at the Devils on Tuesday, Home vs the Jets on Thursday and away at Columbus on Saturday. All 3 games are 7 p.m. starts.
Isles Notes:
Per the Islanders, John Tavares ranks 6th in the league with a 51.2% face-off win rate.
Steve Staios played in his 999th game today.
Matt Martin broke the NHL single season record for hits at 357 as of yesterday’s game vs the Penguins. He will no doubt, pad his total in the remaining 4 games of the season.
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