Brock Scores 1st, Isles Lose In O.T.

Tonight, your New York Islanders will face John Tortorella's Vancouver Canucks.  It will be the 300th game for Isles Captain, John Tavares and the final game of the Isles 4 game home stand before going back on the road at Pittsburgh of Friday, then back home to face Philadelphia and NYR, on Saturday and Tuesday @7pm.

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Okposo, Bouchard-Nielsen-Bailey, Nelson-Regin-Clutterbuck, Martin-Cizikas-McDonald

D-Pairings:  Hamonic-MacDonald, Donovan-Strait, Carkner-Hickey.

Evgeni Nabokov gets the start, Kevin Poulin is on the bench

Isles F, Brock Nelson and D, Matt Donovan will return to the Islanders line up tonight with the absence of Grabner (suspension) and Visnovsky (concussion).

In the first, the Isles come out hard, hitting and finishing their checks.  A much better start than recent games.  Recent call up and roster insert, Brock Nelson (Clutterbuck & Regin) picks up the rebound and gets his first NHL goal, 1-0 for N.Y.  Isles get a PP opportunity and Matt Moulson (Nielsen & Tavares) puts it behind a sprawling Luongo, 2-0 Isles.  Vancouver's Kesler gets one right back, 2-1 Isles.  Vancouver has definitely got their heads back into the game with a better effort.  Canucks Daniel Sedin evens the game at 2-2 mid way through the first.  Isles surrendering more at center ice than at the start of the game.  Team has lost some of their snarl.  Nabokov showing some rust, perhaps as a result of the accidental bump from Carkner last game?  Matt Donovan and Thomas Hickey looking good offensively for the Isles, making some things happen.  Isles out shooting Vancouver 12-9 in the period.

 

 

 

 

The second period sees both teams kill off power play chances.  Matt Moulson comes in from the right side, freezes Luongo and rips it behind him, glove side for a 3-2 Isles lead.  Arthur Staple adds Moulson is 4-3-7 in last three games.  A scramble in front of the Isles net results in the puck being forced over the goal line.  The Officials are deliberating.  No goal.  Nabokov still looks very shaky tonight.  Nelson comes close again from Donovan, playing a solid game for the Isles.  Game is getting a little more physical late in the period, but neutral zone is still unguarded.  Donovan with nice look to Regin, puck clanks off the post.  Off Vancouver rush, the puck comes off Nabokov from Daniel Sedin rebound, Henrik Sedin is there for the open net with D out of position, tied at 3-3.  Despite out playing Vancouver for much of the period, Higgins gives Vancouver a 4-3 lead in the game with :17 remaining.  Terrible rebound by Nabokov, has looked off all game and I keep thinking back to that bump from Carkner vs. Carolina.  Vancouver out shoots the Isles 12-11 in the period with the Isles holding the game advantage 23-21.

Evgeni Nabokov remains in net to start the third period.  The Islanders looks a little disorganized in the period.  Canucks go into Tortorella's shut down mode and although the Isles are moving the puck, they seem lack the energy or urgency that you would expect a team down by a goal to have.  With 1:12 left & the Isles net empty, MacDonald slapper goes to Frans Nielsen who ties the game at 4-4.  Islanders gain a valuable point.  Isles outshoot 9-8 in the period, 32-30 in the game.

In the O.T. period, Richardson puts its through Nabokov's pads from the side of the net, Vancouver wins it 5-4.

It's a good point in the standings to pick up, but another disappointing, far to difficult to climb back into, non-win. 

Per Arthur Staple, "Capuano: 'I'm not going to talk about the goaltending' Last time he said that, he was referring to DiPietro last season."

 

 

 

 

Per Islanders BoosterClub, "@MattyMarts17 will be at the Isles Booster Club meeting tomorrow at the Marriott across from Coliseum."

 

 

Isles Notes:

Per Brian Compton," Capuano said Kevin Poulin is going to get a chance soon and if he plays well, he will play more."

 

Islanders Forward Michael Grabner was suspended two games for a hit to the head vs. Nathan Gerbe of the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.  The play wasn't called a penalty in game action, but was reviewed by Brenden Shanahan of the NHL Safety Committee.

Free agent D, Radek Martinek was on the ice with the Isles in practice today.

Per Eric Hornick, "Ryan Strome w his 1st 3-pt game as a pro, helping erase both 3-0 and 5-3 deficits but BST fall 6-5 in OT to Bingo."

Former Islanders Marty Biron & Roman Hamrlik have announced their retirement.

Per Chris Botta, "From SBD: Barclays Center's first year operating income well below original projections."

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Kirill Kabanov scored a Gordie How hat trick (Goal, assist and a fight) in a 5-0 win for the ECHL Isles affiliate, Stockton Thunder on Sunday.

 

Per Eric Hornick, " Kirill Kabanov and Mike Dalhuisen each with a goal and assist in 5-0 Stockton win to open."