Isles Lose Traction

The Islanders face their "non-rival," Pittsburgh Penguins at the NVMC tonight.  Brad Boyes has joined JT and MM on the 1st line due to KO's slow start.  Good idea?

Forwards

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

Defensemen

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

Goaltenders

20 Evgeni Nabokov
39 Rick DiPietro

In the first period, neither goaltender looks sharp thus far, but Nabokov has had most of the activity in the Isles end.  The Penguins took an early lead off a PP goal, 1-0 charged to Marty Reasoner for Holding.  Islanders come to life a little in the final 8 minutes of the period.  JT scores in the final minutes, but goal is disallowed due to official blowing whistle after losing sight of the puck.  Isles are using their grit to start aggravating the Pens.  Isles will start the second on a PP, which has not worked well so far.  Isles out shooting Pittsburgh  by a 12-6 margin.

The second period started and the Isles seem to have lost any and all ability they had previously to score on the PP, which is 0-5 thus far.  The Isles are generating more pressure by moving the puck well and getting their chances.  Pittsburgh makes it 2-0.  Despite what the Islanders are doing wrong so far in the game, don't think that if it wasn't for Marc Andrei Fleury, the score could be different. lsles out shooting Pittsburgh by 24-14.

The Islanders are struggling to counter Pittsburgh's pressure and a 3 on 1 results in a 3-0 Pens lead.  Soon after, Kyle Okposo and Michael Grabner outwork the Pens defenders.  3-1 Penguins.  The Islanders are responding.  And just like that, Brad Boyes puts in a loose puck to make the score 3-2 Penguins.  Pittsburgh calls a time out.  Nabokov comes up with some big saves to keep New York in the game.  Nabokov goes to the bench for an extra skater, Pens make it a 4-2 final, despite Isles' 34-26 shot tally.  The Isles fall to third in the atlantic division and eigth in the eastern conference with a 4-4-1 record.

Despite the PP going 0-7 again (0-14 last two games), and giving up an early lead, the Isles moved the puck well and did a lot of other things proficiently.  Credit Fleury for stealing that game.  He had a .941 Sv% and some great saves with his team blocking 16 shots.  I thought the 5 on 5 was good and the team showed some resiliency. 

From a fan perspective, I understand the frustration when the team loses ground in the standings or plays the game inconsistently at times.  The PP needs to improve to where it was to put the Isles back over the hump to compete with teams like the Penguins and Devils.  But I know that when its all said and done, the team just needs to win.  Period.

But realistically, this season has said a lot for the rebuild so far.  It has shown that things are improving throughout the line up.  The prospects are improving and some good pieces have been added.  There is still plenty of time to get back into the division battle.

We will get there. 

Isles vs. Rangers on Thursday.

Isles Notes:

Per Arthur Staple, "Visnovsky arriving, but when he joins Islanders isn't set ."

Islander Fans in Brooklyn are having a meetup on Thursday, 2/7 for the Rangers game!

Per BST, Player Transaction: Forward Brett Gallant has agreed to terms on a one-year, NHL entry level contract with the New York Islanders.

Kevin Maher of News 12 said the Isles and Pens' bad blood hasn't been consistent enough to be called a rivalry.  Your thoughts



Sound Tigers Notes:

On Sunday, Brock Nelson neted his first pro hat trick and Kevin Poulin made 26 saves in a 4-1 win vs. the Admirals.