The Islanders went to Washington D.C. to face
the Capitals in a pivotal game for playoff rivals. Although the Isles won the two previous meetings of the season,
the two pts won from this game were huge.
After falling behind 1-0, Kyle Okposo scored at the 15:00 mark of the
third period to help his team force overtime.
The Isles played well and Nabokov was solid in net with a .955 Sv%. Both teams had some solid chances in the extra
period and the Isles had a 36-22 shots advantage in the game. But who would have the answer in the
shootout? Neither Nielsen, Boyes or
Tavares could get in past Holtby in the shootout. Ovechkin was kept off the score sheet all night, but got one by
Nabokov in the second round of the shootout.
Even though they lost the second point, the one they did get helped them move to 7th with a NJ LOSS.
Tonight, the Isles faced the new look Tampa Bay
Lightning at the NVMC in their alternate black jerseys. Eric Hornick reports that tonight's sellout
is the first Isles-Lightning sell out since 1/26/2002. Think things are getting good on the Island?
Forwards: Grabner-Tavares-Boyes,
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo, Lee-Cizikas-Martin, Joensuu-Aucoin-McDonald.
Defensive Pairings:
Hickey-Visnovsky, Hamonic-MacDonald, Streit-Martinek. Nabokov in net.
The Isles started
strong and kept fighting, even when it meant coming back to recapture momentum
with each goal scored by Tampa Bay.
Michael Grabner, Josh Bailey (Okposo & Nielsen), Matt Martin (Lee
& Streit) and Andrew MacDonald scored (empty net goal) to make it a 4-2, 2
pt victory for your New York Islanders.
The Isles out shot the Lightning 28-21.
Isles Goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov came up huge, going 19 of 21 with a .905 Sv%. Nabokov, " It's the discipline &
little things. We can't get ahead of ourselves. It's going to take a lot of
work & we have a tough sked ahead."
The Officiating still
sucks. Now that I have that out of the
way, some other big things came into focus tonight. Michael Grabner looked empowered on 1st line with JT and Brad
Boyes. His speed is so lethal and opens
up the ice for impact plays. Grabner,
" Grabner: I just tried to create room; we had a lot of chances. We did a
good job out there & didn't give up too much defensively." What else can you say about Josh Bailey and
Kyle Okposo? I know they are fun to
cheer for, but their revived game has been relentless and productive for the
Isles on both sides of the ice. Anthony
Stabile wont let me leave out the great Frans Nielsen and his contributions in
the team's revitalized game. Jesse Joensuu
was active tonight with 8 shots and played with jump in the absense of
Moulson (Flu). Matt Martin brings a
complete game and his valued leadership is evident in each game. What this all means is a crucial element for
the Isles is working well. They have
scoring throughout the line up and this is key to taking the next stride towards
respectability and culture change.
Special teams have
really become a big component of the positive aspects that the team has given for much of
the season. Even the PK was generating very nice offensive chances
in the game tonight. Thomas Hickey
continues to improve with each game.
Andrew MacDonald has changed his luck as well. Anders lee had an Assist tonight, but needs to improve
defesively. Lee was on the ice for both
goals tonight (similar to Washington game).
The Isles played a much stronger checking game and implemented a stronger focus on
defense from the forwards on back. WIth the Rangers winning, the Isles are in the 8th position with 42 points.
All
these things prove the team is tight, believe in each other and have bought
into the Isles plan. And their black
alternate jerseys.
Hearing the sell-out
crowd explode like back in the day .... well, that is Priceless.
Isles Notes:
The Isles will face the Flyers at home Tuesday @ 7 pm, travel to the Bruins Thursday @ 7 pm and return home to play their arch rival, Rangers Saturday @ 7 pm.
Per Arthur Staple,
"@MMoulson
has his ironman streak end at 284 straight games, officially out with the
flu."
"Isles are still
talking with agent for Evgeni Nabokov about an extension, but nothing
imminent."
Per Darren Dreger,
Garth Snow says he has no intention of trading Mark Streit. $500,000 gap per
year (3 yrs) in contract talks with his captain.
Sound Tigers Notes:
On 4/6:
Per BST, No-goal
call on Sundstrom's equalizer proves to be the difference in the game. #BST fall 3-2 to the Whale, outshooting them 14-3 in the 3rd.
Scott Pellerin
confirms D-man Andrey Pedan will make his pro debut tonight vs. Whale. Rick
DiPietro starts in net.
On 4/5:
D Scott Mayfield has
agreed to terms on a 3 year ELC, will report to BPT.
The Bridgeport Sound
Tigers recalled (RW) Max MacKay from the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
On 4/4:
Rick DiPietro starts
Franchise Game 1,000 (including playoffs).
Sound Tigers WIN! @SquatchDonovan w/ 4 pts (1g/3a), @Bnelson29
w/ 3 pts (2g/1a), @strome18 & @thelnino25
w/ 2 assists in 6-3 W vs. Worcester.
On 4/3:
Isles activate David
Ullstrom off IR and send him to BPT.
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