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.
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.
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