Finish Lines, Goals & Mis_teps

Yesterday, the Islanders travelled to Pittsburgh to face the streaking Penguins and newly acquired, Jerome Igilna.  In the game, after playing hard and keeping the game tight for 2+ periods, things changed even without Crosby or Kunitz on the ice. Kunitz was given a 5 minute major after hitting Josh Bailey from behind into the boards.  After the 16th minute mark of the second period, Chris Kunitz was given a game misconduct for checking Josh Bailey from behind in the Isles zone at the end of the second period.  Per Arthur Staple, "Pens coach Dan Bylsma called Kunitz's check from behind "a shoulder-to-shoulder battle that Chris won."  Kunitz was given a 5 minute major.  In the final two minutes, the Isles had a 5-on-3 advantage when Orpik was given two for tripping.  The Isles top rated road PP went 0-5 while the Penguins outworked New York in the third by building a 2-0 lead along with solid play by back up goaltender, Tomas Vokoun.

Sidney Crosby took a puck to the mouth in the opening minutes of the game.  Reports surfaced later that Crosby required oral surgery to correct the injury.  Crosby could lose considerable time off the ice while healing.  Isles fans remember the struggles of former Isles D, Jack Hilen's time away from the line up. 

“We had opportunities at the end of the second and in the third,” Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano said. “Normally when you don’t capitalize on those opportunities, it’s going to come back to get you. That’s what happened today.”

It has become time to man up and evolve for the Islanders.  It seems tht every time the Isles are poised to take the next step after a success, they lose ground and help their opponents gain confidence. My blame still lays with head coach, Jack Capuano. Despite playing hard, when you get major PP chance & big 5 on 3 late in a scoreless game, you need to score.  What has happened to road PP game? And then there's Michael Grabner and his inability to find his scorers grove.  It kills me to help Pitt keep their winning streak going at 15 at the Isles expense and allow their 3rd consecutive team shutout. 


Hopefully the Isles can regroup again and beat New Jersey on Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

The New York Islanders signed Defensemen, Lubo Visnovsky to a 2-year contract extension worth $9.5 million.  Visnovsky first got the attention of Isles fans when he said he was unable to report to the Islanders after a draft day trade where they acquired his rights in a trade from Anaheim.  Per Bob McKenzie, "Lubomir Visnovsky has No Move Clause in new NYI contract altho if Isles are out of playoffs at 2nd yr trade deadline, can be moved then."

D, Mark Streit and G, Evgeni Nabokov have been reported as in negotiations for new deals with the Islanders as well.  It has been reported that the organization has interest in retaining the services of Brad Boyes in the short term as well.

Per Arthur Staple, " Niagara and @strome18 eliminated from OHL playoffs tonight. Would imagine Strome will be joining BPT in next few days."  An ATO contract will most likely be put in place for this season allowing the team to start Strome's ELC starting next season.

D, Andrey Pedan, D, Scott Mayfield and F, Anders Lee have also ended their seasons and may be sent to Bridgeport or the Island soon.  Pedan and Lee will need to be signed by June 1st to remain with the organization.

B.D. Gallof remarks, " Isles camp will be fierce competition for only 2 or 3 spots on D: Donovan, Reinhart, de Haan, Pedan, Mayfield and Hickey."  I completely agree.  Add current and injured Strait with prospects like Ness, Pokka, Pelech and possibly Kichton.  Who isnt psyched for that scenario to unfold?

 

 

 

On 3/28 After spotting the Flyers a two goal lead after the first period, the Isles regrouped and responded with some spirited play.  John Tavares scored his team leading 21st goal of season in the second period.  In the third period, Colin McDonald scored twice in the third for the first 2 goal game of his NHL career.  The Flyers tied the game late in the third with Bryzgalov pulled and the Isles called for a delay of game penaly to force O.T.  Evgeni Nabokov came up big in the shootout while Boyes and Bailey (GWG) scored for the Isles in the shootout to secure the win, 4-3.

McDonald said, "This was the biggest game of the year. We need as many pts as we can get. We have to keep this going into the weekend.  The guys battled hard out there. We have to give a lot of credit to Nabby for keeping us in these games."

The Islanders out-hit the Flyers behind Matt Martin (6) by a 31-13 tally.

 

 

Isles Notes:

The New York Islanders open voting for the Bob Nystrom Award, which is selected by the fans and presented to the Islander who best exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication.  While the Islanders have several players worthy of attention, I would vote for Casey Cizikas, @zeeker11. 

Per TSN, "Tavares has scored 20+ goals in each of his 4 seasons in the NHL. Took 70 gms as a rookie and it's taken fewer games in each season since."

Per Isles, "@91Tavares tallied 20th goal of the ssn in his 33GP (3/26). That put him on what would be a 50-goal pace in an 82 game ssn."

The Tampa Bay Lightning announce Jon Cooper as their new head coach with Dan Lacroix and former Islander, Steve Thomas as his assistants.

Sound Tigers Notes:

On 3/30, the BST lose to ADK by a score of 4-1.  The Sound Tigers fall to 27-28-6-5.

On 3/28, the BST score 4 in the 1st only to allow a 3 goal comeback to SPR and losing by a 5-4 margin.