"We Want Playoffs!"

 

Anders Lee skated around wearing #27 for his new team.  The Islanders have wanted Lee in that jersey for quite some time.  After he elected to return to Notre Dame, some speculated he might not want to play on the Island.  Lee dismissed those rumors and said he wanted to play for the Islanders when he was ready. 

He is ready now.

Tonight, your New York Islanders faced the "3rd" place Winnipeg Jets at the NVMC.  Anders Lee opened the scoring in the first period for the Isles.  It was Lee's first NHL goal in his first NHL appearence.  Colin McDonald and Frans Nielsen scored in the second while Matt Moulson scored for the first time in 13 games in the third period.  John Tavares added an empty net goal to seal the 5-2 victory for New York.  The Isles outshot Winnipeg 39-25 while Kevin Poulin gets the first win for an Islanders goaltender not named "Nabokov" on the season.  Poulin went 22 of 24 with a .920 Sv%.  All this to a chorus of "We Want Playoffs," from the Isles faithful throught the old barn.

 

Yesterday, the Islanders closed out their road trip and faced their rival, New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.  Despite being outshot 25-21, Josh Bailey, Travis Hamonic and John Tavares scored to give the Isles a crucial 3-1 victory and 2 pts in the standings.  Matt Martin showed he can battle and still show class in a fight with Tom Kostopoulos. Evgeni Nabokov made 24 saves with a 17-11-3 record on the season.  The Islanders gained 6 of 8 possible points in the road trip.  Erick Hornick mentions, "The Isles have 23 points in their first 17 road games, which is their highest total in the Post-Cup era."  With a win by the Rangers vs. Winnipeg, the Isles gain no ground in the playoff race.

 

 

 

Per the NYI, "Tonight's Isles win ties Head Coach Jack Capuano for 3rd all-time in the franchise win list with 77."  (@Schultz88) He has passed Laviolette and only 4 wins away from the #2 spot.  What can I say, the team is playing better.  I still feel the head coach is benefitting from years of top picks maturing and Snows diligence to add quality personalities to the line up.  But whatever the reason, good for you Jack!

 

 In both games, the Isles started to improve in front of our eyes.  The consistency thing needs to come closer to center for my blood pressure to remain normal, but the corner looks as if its being turned with a brighter summer ahead despite how the team finishes this season.  The playoffs would rock, but the Organization can start showing off their rippened draft fruit now.  Dont you think that guys like Lee, Strome, Pedan and Mayfield would add to an already impressive pool of prospects of both new and current Isles by quite a large margin.  Kabanov, Nelson, Niederreiter, Persson, Sundstrom, Theoret, Donovan, Ness, Reinhart, deHaan, Nilsson (and possibly Kichton) should certainly get you fired up.  The Isles have quite a few players in the pool that are still solid, but lurking around a little more quietly.  Try Hamlo, Petrov, Pelech and Pokka in that mix.  Who knows what trades and aquisitions could be made between Wednesday and into the off season.  This summer will be an important platform to launch the Isles into a statement making 2013-14 season.

 

The Islanders are 18-16-3 after 37 games played with 39 points, with just 11 games remaining in this lock-out shortened season.

 

Isles are tied with NJ for the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference, but NJ has the tie breaker.  So that means the Isles hold the 8th spot to themselves for now.  The Idle Rangers fall to 9th.

 

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

F, Joe Finely placed on Injured Reserve.

Per Darren Dreger, " Mark Streit is unlikely to agree to extension with NYI.Isles may keep him for playoff race, but unless there's change, Streit will be a UFA.  With Streit negotiation stalled, expect teams to make a play for trade. Isles don't want to trade him. Could change overnight. "

Per Arthur Staple, "Strome, Lee only burn 1st year of ELC playing 6 NHL games.  Also, Lee's age requires 2-year ELC, not 3."

Per B.D. Gallof, "Scott Mayfield is currently deciding on if he will leave school or stay another year."

Per BUIslander, "Craziest stat from the Lee signing: when he makes his NHL debut, the #Isles entire 09 draft class will have played at least 1 NHL game."

 

@Schultz88 of IPB points out, " Theoret is another one the Isles will have to make a decision on soon."

@Theoret23, "Honoured to be OHL and CHL Player Of The Week. Thank you to everyone for all the support."

Anthony Stabile looks ahead for the Isles.

A Special Report by B.D. Gallof - How the NY Islanders and Nassau Failed.

The Islanders are away vs. the Capitals on Thursday @ 7 pm and Home vs. the Lightning on Saturday @ 7 pm.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Sound Tigers WIN! #18 - @strome18 w/ 2 pts (1g/1a), @JDiamond39 scores GWG for first pro tally as #BST comeback to beat Sharks 4-2!  Ryan Strome: 1-1-2, +2 in pro debut, named first star. Bridgeport wins, 4-2.  Watch Strome's 1st AHL goal here.

Per Arthur Staple, "Isles prospect D Andrey Pedan has agreed to terms on an ELC, may report to BPT by Weds."