#beLIeve #STRONGisland

Last night, Michael Grabner led the way with two goals as your New York Islanders added another 2 points to their seriously dedicated playoff run on fan appreciation night.  Grabner's had a goal in the first period assited by MacDonald and Nabokov, and an unassisted backhand goal in the second.  Matt Moulson (Martin & Hickey), Mark Streit (Okposo & Nielsen), Radek Martinek (Joensuu & Streit) also scored for the Isles.  It marks Jesse Joensuu's 1st Isles point this season.

 

The Isles found success on special teams, a physical snarl and strong defensive play to improve to 22-16-5 with 49 points.  They have gone 6-0-2 in their last eight and 9-1-2 in their last 12.  That's good enough to maintain sole possession of 7th place.  Evgeni Nabokov, a cornerstone of the Isles image rebuild, got his 21st win (tied for 2nd in NHL - Fleury) and went 26 for 28 and a .929 Sv% (despite being run over by Upshall.)  What are the Isles players saying about all this success?

 

@91Tavares, "Tremendous support from our fans all season long! #Hummin #ThankYou."

@MMoulson20h, "Great support in the old barn #thankyoufans ..here we come road trip."

 

@bookerT2116, "Thanks to all the fans who came out last night and throughout the year. Coli has been rockin' the last couple weeks!"

 

and @ColinMcDonald13 said this about the Isles faithful, "Big thank you to all the fans this year. It's been an amazing experience playing at the Coliseum. We'll see you soon! #beLIeve #STRONGisland."

 

The Islanders have two more road games this week against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday @ 7pm and the Winnipeg Jets (who they currently lead by 3pts.) on Saturday @ 3pm.

 

 

beLIeve.

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

Matt Martin was awarded the Bob Nystrom Award.
 

Per Eric Hornick, "are 6 gms over NHL-.500 for 1st time since end of Dubie poke-checked them into playoffs w 40-30-12 record (2007)."

 

Per Anthony Stabile, "no offical word yet on Cizikas and Bailey. CC has an upper body injury, & Bailey was limping after the game with the trainer."


Per Dominik of LH, "According to New Haven Register reporter Chip Malafronte, the New York Islanders have signed Quinnipiac defenseman Mike Dalhuisen to play with the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers beginning next season."

 

Jack Capuano is now the second winningest Coach in Islanders history.

 

Per TSN, the Islanders and Rangers will play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 29, 2014.

More Coliseum development news. 

 Isles Keith Aucoin shows his support for Boston and those affected by the Marathon tragedy.






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I miss you Mom.