Coming Of Age

Bruins Coach, C. Julien told Arthur Staple, "They're seeing some hope here, and rightfully so."

Tonight, the Isles came to an intimidating place to play, an intimidating team who have not been easy to match if you were the New York Islanders.  Not to mention, the Isles have a huge game on Saturday with the New York Rangers waiting to distract them.  With a win, the Bruins would clinch a playoff spot.  There were many factors against your young Isles tonight, but did anyone tell them they should be nervous?  Would they have any hope?

 

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Grabner-Aucoin-McDonald, Joensuu-Cizikas-Martin.

Defensive Pairings:  Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Carkner.

Evgeni Nabokov is in goal with Kevin Poulin backing up.

Moulson in, Lee out tonight along with other scratches (Reasoner, Boulton, Martinek).

At the start of the first period, the Islanders looked as if they were struggling to even stay in the game, but the team came together and won with another solid effort on the road.  Josh Bailey’s pair of goals kept the Isles ahead o' Boston on the scoreboard and they matched the intensity and grit of the Bruins, while outworking them for much of the game as a team for a 2-1 win.  Credit Tuukka Rask for a fantastic effort in the Boston net.  Oh, and the officiating was a big fail again at times tonight to the point where I really can’t tell what will or will not be called.

 

Travis Hamonic went hard into end boards after a Krejci trip. His left leg got caught underneath him and he was helped off the ice, but returned shortly after.  Arthur Staple, “Hamonic said he was warned not to watch footage of his spill. "I'd play on one leg if I had to. Take a lot more than that to keep me out."

 

In 41 games played, the Isles are 21-16-4 with 46 points.  They have 7 games remaining with the next two at home vs. the Rangers and Panthers on Saturday and next Tuesday at 7 pm.  The final five are on the road where the Isles are 12-5-2 this season.  They, along with Detroit are among the only two teams with a negative (-2) goal differential of the sixteen teams currently qualifying for the playoffs.  They are 8-1-1 in last 10 games, playing well while home or away.  The biggest difference is the Isles ability to finish close games with a win in their newly honed calmness found in third while holding onto 1 point leads. 

 

Bailey, Nielsen and Okposo continue to improve and help the Isles get scoring depth throughout the forward lines.  Casey Cizikas, Jesse Joensuu and Thomas Hickey stood out again tonight with their sacrifice and improving play.  Evgeni Nabokov continues to play an exceptional game for the Islanders, sometimes keeping them in stretches of games seemingly by himself.  He is a major reason the team has been able to hold leads and become more confident in their offensive rush.  Tonight, he had a .968Sv% on 36 shots.

 

Coach Capuano is looking more and more like he has figured out the details of a team consistency and has brought the Isles game into a single and coordinated focus.  They look to really be building towards consistency and fostering the culture shared by a winning team that fights through adversity and overcomes challenge when the game is on the line.  Shut up!  No really, I said as much on Twitter.  “Coach Capuano isn’t out of my doghouse yet. There is still much to do. He has my full attention & I will be glad to write an apology.”  Gladly.

 

There will always be those who say the Isles wouldn’t be in this position if it was a “real” season of 82 games or when they get a big win like the one tonight, it was because the Bruins “looked awful.”  Let em’ say whatever they need to say.  The fact is that finally, it seems like the corner has been turned and things are moving forward.  No one can argue about the level of play the players are displaying each night on the ice.  All the while, Brooklyn is coming and the Isles may become a new destination for free agents with something to prove.  The rebuild continues to impress and the team, although incomplete in some ways, has come together nicely.  The picks, signings, trades and waiver picks are making Garth Snow look like a genius again late in the season thus far.  If the Isles make the playoffs and do the damage they are more than capable of dishing out, Long Island may force some media outlets, writers and fans to admit Management may have been right all along.  In the end, who cares?


How can you not cheer for these guys to go as far as they can this season?  As this blogger has said before, next season could really be the start of something big.

 

KoC - “Just keep winning! We are still here & we still believe.”

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, before 13,888 fans at the NVMC, your New York Islanders met the Philadelphia Flyers in another “important” game.  Every point the Isles can take, especially from a division rival is key to helping their push towards a playoff appearance. Its NY’s 4^th consecutive win at home.  That’s right, you heard me. Their 4^th consecutive win at home after holding a lead. In the third period. Yes, third period for the 4-1 win.  JT has this to say about the fan support lately, “It's a great feeling to be a part of this.  It can get pretty loud out there and the atmosphere is amazing.  They carry us through.   We are excited for the last 2 home games and to keep this going.  We want to send a message.” The enthused NY crowd sent messages all night long.

Nabokov told islanders.nhl.com, “We played like we wanted it more - I think that's why we got the two points,” Nabokov said. “Everything is positive right now, but you can't get carried away because you know that it's such a fight for the playoffs with eight games left. You can find yourself very quickly the other way. You just want to keep the focus and intensity at the same level, win or lose. Evgeni Nabokov turned in another heroic effort making 26 saves with .924Sv%.

Colin McDonald, Matt Moulson, Brad Boyes and John Tavares scored for the Isles. The Isles played a strong, calculated and physical game and took it to the Flyers at home.  After all, the Isles fans were even chanting, “Last place Flyers!”  Even the scary Scott Hartnell could not intimidate them. 

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

The Isles have allowed 2 goals or fewer in 7 straight games. It’s the 1st time since an 8-game stretch from Jan. 17-31, 2004.

Today in '75, Isles win 1st playoff series ousting NYR 2 games to 1 when J.P. Parise scores 11 sec into OT at MSG to give Isles a 4-3 win.

4/9 Per Arthur Staple, “Brain Strait skating with Isles skills coach Bernie (Nicholls) Cassell prior to AM skate.”

“BREAKING NEWS – Isles to play first NHL game at @BarclaysCenter in preseason game on Sept. 21, 2013 v. #NJDevils.”   

Per Kevin Schultz, "Sources: Isles looking at leaving for Brooklyn a year early, prior to 2014-15 season. County believed to be open to the idea.  Leaving this summer, prior to 13-14, considered "too soon". A few regular season games at Barclays a possibility next year.

Per The Goalie Guild, "Mikko Koskinen has signed a new two-year deal with the Espoo Blues (SM-liiga) - Still Isles property."

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

“The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are proud to announce that forward Brandon DeFazio has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Bridgeport community during the 2012-13 season.”

 

4/9 Per BST, “Player Transaction: The Sound Tigers have loaned defenseman Dallas Jackson to the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators."

 

BST: Stalock stymies Sound Tigers as Sharks earn 3-0 shutout victory on Tuesday night.

 

4/7  Sound Tigers defeat Phantoms by a 4-1 final.  Third star: Rick DiPietro (34 saves) ... Second star: Ty Wishart (three assists) ... First star: David Ullstrom (2g/1a).

 

Per BST, “AHL announces All-Rookie Team. Brock Nelson, 2nd among rookies in pts (50), 4th in goals (23), 2nd in PPG (10), 2nd in GWG (5), not selected.”