Islanders Dominate Penguins

Road Trip, Part 2:

Tonight, your New York Islanders faced the Pittsburgh Penguines at the Consol Energy Center in pittsburgh, PA right near that tacky statue of Mario Lemieux outfront.  They came to play.  And play, they did.
 

Forwards

26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 21 Kyle Okposo
40 Michael Grabner - 51 Frans Nielsen - 24 Brad Boyes
41 David Ullstrom - 10 Keith Aucoin - 13 Colin McDonald
17 Matt Martin - 16 Marty Reasoner - 53 Casey Cizikas

Defensemen

2 Mark Streit - 37 Brian Strait
47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
14 Thomas Hickey - 7 Matt Carkner

Goaltenders

20 Evgeni Nabokov

39 Rick DiPietro

In the 1st period, the Isles started a strong road game.  They kept it simple and forechecked well.  They were physical and the Defense held up against the normally explosive Penguins.  Casey Cizikas scored his first NHL goal with a sweet wrap around to give the Isles a 1-0 advantage.  Travis Hamonic playing hurt, took a hard shot to the lower body, but returned to the ice almost immediately.  Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald were solid all night. 

The 2nd period saw Michael Grabner score (Streit and Reasoner,) to increase the Isles lead to 2-0.  Per Eric Hornick, "Marty Reasoner's assist on Grabner's goal is his 1st assist since 2011. (12/15/11 v Dallas; 1st in 41 games.)"  John Tavares scored in a strongly played period by New York, off a one touch Moulson pass to make the score 3-0, Isles.  Later on in the period, Matt Moulson scores off a nice feed from Boyes.  4-0, Isles.  Colin McDonald took an ill advised major penalty when he slammed Lovejoy from behind into the boards.  Suspension incoming.  They would kill off the 5 minute major.

In the 3rd period, the Penguins benched Fleury in favor of Vokoun to try and change things up.  The Isles controlled most of the third, until the Penguins scored a "garbage goal" with under 2 minutes left in the game to spoil the shutout for a 4-1 final.

Overall in the contest, the Isles played a solid defensive game and kept up the forecheck against a struggling Pittsburgh squad.  Offensive opportunities were there throughout the period, but failed to connect.  The Penguins looked very flat at times and the Isles dictated the tempo.  Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were completely neutralized in the game. 

 

The Isles offense is obviously greatly improved from last season with secondary scoring coming from several sources.  Their PK has been rock solid.  Guys sacrificed the body, made the hits when they could and were solid throughout the game.  They played a text book, consistent game for a full 3 periods against an elite team.  They are now 2-1-1 on the roadtrip and 3-2-1 on the season.  John Tavares had this to say on the Isles PP, "In the last few games, we've really developed an understanding of the what we need to do to be successful"

Evgeni Nabokov played a great game with 37 saves on 38 shots with a .974 Sv%.  The Nabokov story is an awesome lesson to any player who downplays what they can accomplish as NHL'er playing on an improving Islanders team.

This game was a great showcase opportunity for the New York Islanders on national T.V. broadcast to show what they are made of against the NHL darling Penguins.  Maybe they have earned more respect in the eyes of the NHL community?  Nah.  Thats OK.  I think things are falling into place for the New York Islanders. 

Its a good time to be a fan.

 

 

Photo credit:  Carissa Nichole Smith, Lets Go Islanders.

 

Isles Notes:

Per NYI, Jesse Joensuu will miss 5-7 weeks after surgery to repair a sports hernia.

The Islanders play the New Jersey Devils on Thursday @ 7:00pm and Sunday @ 3:00pm.  Thursday is the final game of the current road trip.

 

 

Other Notes:

 

I plan to attend @TheSoundTigers game on Thursday night vs. the Providence Bruins.  I will update KoC ASAP.