An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Isles Get 3 Out Of 4



Your New York Islanders would open the 2013-14 season with a pair of Metropolitan division opponents.  There were some good things and some not-so-good things to see in both games.  They managed to accrue 3 out of a possible 4 points in games that they did not play their best hockey.  Lets hope they get dialed in soon.

 

On Friday, The Isles met the Devils at the Prudential Center for a high speed back and forth contest that would require a shoot-out to sort things out.  The Isles started out playing a very sloppy game, but tightened up more in the second period.  Michael Grabner scored a pair of goals and Frans Nielsen got the go ahead score before the Devils scored again to force O.T.  Secondary scoring came up big when the top line faltered.  The Islanders needed to bring a far more physical game, especially in their own zone.  N.J. was to comfortable in the Isles crease all night long.  With both teams awarded a loser point, the winners point was up for grabs.  Matt Moulson scored in the sixth round to give the Isles the win, 4-3 (S.O.).
 
 

Evgeni Nabokov (26/29 and 6/6 in S.O.) outlasted Martin Brodeur to get his 336th career win, good enough for 18th on the all-time list.  He was the difference maker for N.Y. in the game.  Brock Nelson played in his first NHL game and Matt Donovan recorded his first career NHL point.  The Isles were 0/2 on the PP.



 

Forwards:  Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Bailey-Nielsen-Grabner; Nelson-Regin-Bouchard; Martin-Cizikas-McDonald.

 

D-Pairings:  MacDonald-Hamonic; Visnovsky-Hickey; Strait-Donovan.

 

Evgeni Nabokov got the start and Kevin Poulin was backing up.


 

The line up would remain the same in the home opener vs. Columbus. 



 Section 329, the Blue & Orange Army were among the thousands of fans tailgating before the game.


 Pregame theatrics as the Isles took the ice.


On Saturday, the Isles met the Columbus Bluejackets at the NVMC going full speed.  They were aggressive, physical and checking hard in both zones.  All the things they weren't doing enough in N.J. Despite how hard they worked, they weren't able to break through Bobrovsky and dominating a 0-0 game keeps the opponent in the game.  They seemed far too concerned with getting cute with the pass and trying to set up the pretty play.  In the second period, the Isles continue to work hard and got goals from Visnovsky (Nielsen & Tavares) and Moulson (Tavares) to take a 2-0 lead. 
 
 
 
Visnovsky showed a lot of poise, especially as a leader on the PP.  Kyle Okposo worked hard and fought to make things happen in both zones.  The team seemed to be more focused on blocking shots.  Matt Donovan had another quiet, but quality effort on the blue line, as did, Thomas Hickey.  Evgeni Nabokov continued to give the Isles a chance to win.  He was solid in net.






Columbus crawled back into the game off a PP goal from a bogus call on Lubo and a miscue by Regin in front of his own net.  I thought Regin played pretty well up to that point, but mistakes are what you are remembered for.  The Isles went on to O.T. and the shoot-out for the second game in a row.  This time, they would lose out on the forth points and fall to Columbus 3-2 (S.O.)



The Isles renewed a familiar, but painful shortcoming in their game.  Giving up a lead and falling short in the game.  Per islandanders.nhl.com, Coach Capuano said, “I was a little disappointed in the third period.” He added, “Things were going well until they ramped it up and we didn't respond collectively as a group the way we needed to.”

 

The Islanders just need to hit their opponents, clear their end, focus on their game and fore-check hard in both zones.  When they do this, they are very hard to beat.
 
 
 
 


The Islanders are home on Tuesday, 10/8 vs Phoenix @ 7pm and away on Friday, Oct/11 at Chicago @ 8pm and Saturday 10/12 at Nashville @8pm. 


I will be working Comic Con in NYC this week, so I will have to catch up with Isles news next week.


Thanks,
 
Joe





Sound Tigers Notes:

 
Christopher Bruton, "Honored and humbled to be named captain of such a great hard working team!"






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