Isles Lose Season Opener, But "Not Going Away."

 

The Islanders opened the 2013 NHL season to a boisterous sell-out crowd of pumped up fans.  The house system introduced the roster of players in uniform.  Cheers could be heard for crowd favorites like Matt Moulson and John Tavares, while Rick DiPietro heard from his detractors the loudest, but still skated down the length of the line up and tapped each  and every one of his teammates.  When the fog cleared and the lights came on to a chant of "Lets go Islanders," it was Game On.

Nabokov was good early and stayed that way, while the rest of the Isles look sloppy to say the least.  A plethora of giveaways and too much time in their own zone.  Bad changes continue to create problems.  Grabner with some good pressure, his efforts are evident that he is trying to make things happen.  New D, Strait looks comfortable out there, like he's been here forever.  Ullstrom and Martin are working well, Aucoin sound so far.  JT and MM are clicking in the 1st period.  The game is scoreless with NJ out-shooting NY by an 8-3 margin.

Evgeni Nabokov started the 2nd period right where he left it, in the zone while Hamonic and MacDonald are in sync defensively for New York.  PK starting to mesh and Okposo making big defensive play getting crowd back into it. The Isles start to make things happen.  Boyes and Granber seem as if they are starting to gel.  Another bad change creates 3 on 1 and a Devils goal.  1-0 NJ.  Period ends with Isles buzzing off NJ turn over, but fail to score.  NJ pulls away in shots, 21-11.  Isles need to refocus and get on target, its only 1-0.

Grabner comes close again with Brodeur on his back to start the 3rd.  He has been really good, but just like all of last season, Grabner needs to finish consistently.  Hard work will only get you so far.  The newly assembled defense had some trip ups, but looked pretty good considering their limited time together in a brief mini camp to start the season.  Offensively, the Isles haven' gotten anything going.  The Power Play clicks and Travis Hamonic wrists one, top shelf over Brodeur.  Game tied at 1-1.  The Devils get it back, 2-1 NJ.  Aucion continues to show his veteran savvy and why he has been around so long.  He looks really good on the PP and is a good fit thus far.  The team PP looks improved in my opinion.  Isles pull Nabokov, but come up empty.

Evgeni Nabokov was great and was named the games first star.  Although they did some things well, the Islanders never really found their offensive rhythm or their sustained attack.  They let the Devils dictate the slow, defensive style of play and were beat by Brodeur's solid effort.  Credit the Isles for forcing Brodeur to play at his best for the Devils to win. 

Eric Hornick mentioned, it was New York's fewest shots in season opener since they had 18 in Washington in 2003.  They were 30th in the 5 on 5 game last season and that needs to improve in a big way.  Also, credit them for not getting down and playing a more even game vs. the eastern conference champions.

 

But they need to do better. 

 

Weight: I liked our vigor comiing back, we're not going away.

 

Isles Notes:

The Islanders play the Tampa Bay Lightning at the NVMC on Monday at 1pm.

Sound Tigers Notes:

Sound Tigers WIN! Scott Campbell's first AHL goal proves to be a game-winner, Sound Tigers beat B-Sens 4-2!