Head Coach, Jack Capuano was
behind the bench this afternoon for the New York Islanders after having surgery
for kidney stones that caused him to miss the season opener on Saturday. Some
15,322 fans came out to see the Isles play the Tamapa Bay Lightning at the
NVMC. Even Commisioner Bettman was in attendance.
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
37 Brian Strait - 2 Mark Streit
47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
52 Joe Finley - 7 Matt Carkner
Goaltenders
20 Evgeni Nabokov - Starter
39 Rick DiPietro
Scratches: Martinek, Hickey,
Boulton. Casey Cizikas in for Boulton.
The New York Islanders came out
ready to play and applied good pressure early, including two stopages for
fighting, not even 5 seconds into the contest. Frans Nielsen looked good early
and came close to getting the opening goal. Casey Cizikas looked good as well,
but saw only about 5 minutes of ice time.
Michael Grabner scored on a
sweet breakaway off a nice pass by Mark Streit to put the Isles up,1-0. Matt
Moulson went into the locker room after falling onto his shoulder, but came out
shortly after. Matt Martin was sprung from the penalty box, takes a John
Tavares pass and makes it 2-0 Islanders. Okposo moves in with an odd man rush
and looks as though he is making a pass, but buries it for a 3-0 New York lead.
In the third period, a Keith
Aucion give and go to David Ullstrom allows Ullstrom to put a sick shot over
Linback's right shoulder, short side to make it 4-0 Isles. These guys are a
great combination. The Lightning would rally and reduce the Isles lead to 1 at
4-3 with over 11 minutes to play in the third period. Coach Capuano called a
time out to chance the tempo of the game and it worked. During this time, the
Islanders still forced offensive opportunities, but came up short. They
continued to pressure Tampa Bay and in the end, were able to hold on and win
the game, improving their record to 1-1-0-0.
Per islanders.nhl.com, "Aucoin,
who was 8-for-10 Saturday in the faceoff circle, won 9-of-12 draws Monday. The
line of Aucoin, Ullstrom and Colin McDonald combined for 11 shots on goal while
averaging 10:53 of ice time between the three of them.
Following the game, Nabokov said that the win was huge for
the Islanders, especially with the team heading on a five-game, eight-day road
trip beginning Thursday at Toronto."
The Isles outshot Tampa by a
45-26 margin. While the PP was only 1 for 7, the PK was 3 for 3 against a
dangerous TB PP unit. Nabokov was solid again. I thought it was a breakout game for Martin, Grabner and
Okposo. Tavares, Mouson and Boyes looked good as well. Credit Ullstrom for
showing he belongs and I am gaining more respect for Keith Aucion every shift
he plays. He works hard and is a great roleplayer. Strait was pretty good
again. So far, all of Garth Snows "bargin bin" waiver pick ups are
working out. I just need to see Hickey play, and soon. Depth is a good thing
everyone. The "sexy" player acquisitions will come in time. Enjoy the
little things for now.
John Tavares was named the games
first star while Matt Martin was given second star honors.
Matt Martin, "we're sick of not making the playoffs"
Isles Notes:
Per @NHLhistorygirl, "I
don't think you ever really get over that fear [of losing] and I don't think
you ever really should get over it." - Denis Potvin
"It's a seven-game series.
If we win four of them, then I'll talk about how good we are." - Denis
Potvin, 1980
"We'll beat [Isles] in four
games." - Leafs Harold Ballard prior to first round of 1981 Cup playoffs.
"The Islanders aren't
champions, they're chumpions." - Leafs Harold Ballard, prior to 1981 first
round against Isles, where Leafs lost 3-0.
Sound Tigers Notes:
1/20
Sound Tigers score w/ 29.0 left
in 3rd period on PP, Combs puts rebound past Dainton to avoid shutout, final
score 4-1 Springfield.
NHL Notes:
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