Your New York Islanders will
face the 4th place Boston Bruins tonight on NBCSN at the NVMC for game 2 of a 7
game homestand. The Isles are coming
off a disappointing loss and need to improve their 2-7 home ice record in a big
way.
Matt Moulson: We've shown how good we
can be. In wins against NJ, PIT and NYR we wore them down but we have to find
that consistency.
Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Boyes,
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Reasoner-Ullstrom, Martin-Cizikas-McDonald.
Defensive Pairings: MacDonald-Hamonic, Hickey-Visnovsky,
Streit-Martinek.
Evgeni Nabokov starts in net
with Kevin Poulin backing up.
Early in the first period, there is a lot of movement and
physical play. Isles look lost while
Boston controls play and take the lead, 1-0 from the blue line. Soft one to give up for Nabokov. Soon after, Bailey misses a wide open
net. Michael Grabner splits the Boston
D, and breaks in on Rask to be denied.
Isles need to keep their game moving to counter Boston's size. It is frustrating to see John Tavares get
roughed up by opposing teams each night with very few call made because of
it. Casey Cizikas brings hustle, energy
and goals. @Zeeker11 blows past
Bergeron and ties the score at 1-1, Josh Bailey and Andy MacDonald with the set
up. Chara and Martin exchange hands to
the face. Isles survive slow start, PK
holds up and they finish the period strong.
Isles hold an 11-10 advantage on shots.
Hickey leaves an opening and Boston goes up, 2-1 just :38
into second period. Bruins easily
break into Isles zone and bury another one, 3-1 Bruins. Forwards need to play better defense and the
fore check is missing from New York's game.
Islanders seemingly starting to unravel. Michael Grabner misses another breakaway. Isles taking too many penalties in the
period (3) and relying on their PK a little to much. Boston's brute force winning out over Isles speed thus far. Shots are even at 22-22.
In the third period, the Isles struggle to play catch
up. Credit Evgeni Nabokov for keeping
the score at 3-1. They need to take
some chances and bring some force to their speed. John Tavares is awe inspiring as usual. His efforts are legendary.
Bruins putting on full defensive pinch to thwart Isles best
efforts. The Islanders are really
working hard late in the third to salvage this game, cycling the puck and
playing more physically. Think its
too late. Capuano pulls Nabokov way
early with 2:30 remaining, a move that never works for the Isles. Bruins score
on the empty net for a 4-1 win forcing the Isles to go 2-8 at home so far this season. With just a few more wins at home and the
Isles would be inside the playoff race instead of outside it. The Isles out shot Bruins 14-12 in the
period and 37-34 in the game. Nabokov
made 30 saves and had a .909 Sv%.
Tonight, the Isles started slow, went behind early and when
they regained momentum they couldn't hold on.
Their lack of physicality has hurt them for most of the season. Shaky back checks and non existent fore
checking led to penalties and defensive breakdowns. They did apply some pressure and show some punch, but couldn't
finish. When they did, Rask came up big
or they missed an open net or breakaway opportunities. The same formula of inconsistency that
results in loses at home and on the road.
Energy and heart will not get the Isles where they need to be with the
current line up. At least not without
some solid coaching. If the team has
passengers like Coach Capuano has said, make some changes and move or waive the
under performers and make a call up or trade for an upgrade. Just don't do anything and pretend its all
good. Saying that the Isles are only 2
points out of a playoff spot is reason to keep hope alive, but I think this
team can do more with only a few tweaks.
Staying calm and composed is a good plan if your machine is
working. But the Isles machine needs a tune
up.
This is getting so old.
Isles Notes:
Rick DiPietro has reported to
Bridgeport today. Per Michael
Fornabaio, "DiPietro declined to talk today."
Per Brian Compton, "Aucoin
has no goals and one assist in the past 12 games.
GAMEWATCH UPDATE: Okay fans, we've decided to leave the date of our next Gamewatch up to you! Please select one of the two available dates. Voting ends Wednesday March 6 at 10PM.
Vote Here @ Islanders Fans in Brooklyn
GAMEWATCH UPDATE: Okay fans, we've decided to leave the date of our next Gamewatch up to you! Please select one of the two available dates. Voting ends Wednesday March 6 at 10PM.
Vote Here @ Islanders Fans in Brooklyn
Sound Tigers Notes:
2/25 Bridgeport Sound Tigers released (G) Steve Valiquette from Pro
Tryout Contract.
IPB's Kevin Schultz looks at the
non-play of Anders Nilsson.
NHL Notes:
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