Islanders Handle Buffalo

On Saturday night, the New York Islanders faced the Sabres in Buffalo following the news that Rick DiPietro was put on waivers earlier in the day.  He has since cleared waivers and will report to the Isles AHL affiliate.  Per Arthur Staple, Appears that Rick DiPietro won't report to Bridgeport until next week, so he won't play in AHL this weekend.  DiPietro was given permission to take this weekend for himself. Plan is for him to join the BST next week.

Mark Streit said the Isles need to have stronger starts. "We got lucky against Montreal. We need to skate and manage the puck better."  How would they fare against Buffalo?

Forwards

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


Defensemen47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
52 Joe Finley - 2 Mark Streit
14 Thomas Hickey - 11 Lubomir Visnovsky


Goaltenders

20 Evgeni Nabokov
60 Kevin Poulin

 

Mark Streit, Michael Grabner, John Tavares and Colin McDonald scored for the Islanders in a 4-0 win vs the Buffalo Sabres.  Evgeni Nabokov made 35 saves in a shut out performance.  Per islanders.nhl.com, “Nabokov made 26 saves in the second and third periods, including 10 shots on Sabres power plays as the Islanders penalty kill went 6-for-6. With the win, the Islanders improve to 8-9-1.

 

"I just play and react," Nabokov said. "I don't go, 'The night is going good,' or 'The night is going bad.' I don't think that way. I just try to be ready for the next shot and keep going. I don't want to think too much out there."

Arthur Staple had some observations at the end of the game.  “Good to see the Sabres last shift showing some class, Foligno barreling over Nabokov and Kaleta hitting Streit late. All class.”  He later added,  “Ugly finish with Miller getting knocked down, trying to fight Martin.”

 

Matt Martin: "If they want to be physical around our net, we'll do it around their net. It goes both ways."

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

Kevin Poulin has been recalled by the New York Islanders and will be with the team for their home game vs. the Carolin Hurricanes on Sunday night @ 7 P.M. Cappy on Poulin: "He's had a lot of playing time this year. He can step right in and give us a chance to win."


Per Arthur Staple, “4th line has produced 5 goals in 18 games. Last season, most used 4th line (Pandolfo-Reasoner-Nino) produced 3G in 60+ games.”

 
 

Sound Tigers Notes:

2/24  Riley Holzapfel’s tally in the bottom of the fourth round of the shootout proved to be a game-winner, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen denied Brock Nelson’s shot to lead off the fifth round as the Penguins beat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 at Webster Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.

 

2/23 Sound Tigers earn late PP, unable to find equalizer. Final score: Monarchs 3, Sound Tigers 2. Kenny Reiter got the start in net vs Manchester, his first home start as a Sound Tiger.

2/23 Player Transactions: NYI recall G Kevin Poulin; G Rick DiPietro clears waivers, assigned to BST; G Steve Valiquette signs PTO w/BST.

 

2/23 Landry scores with 7.9 seconds left in regulation. Final score, Falcons 5 - Sound Tigers 2. Unofficially, 217 PIMs (BST 137, SPR 80).

 

NHL Notes:

 

Per David Pagnotta, BREAKING: Expect multiple outdoorgames next season, starting with WC. NHL exploring diff cities, including NYC & LA.