Sloppy Play Hurts Isles Again

Your New York Islanders met the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the NVMC in the infamous black alternate jerseys as 13,008 fans looked on.  The Isles could put themselves into second place over Carolina with a win.  Instead, they would fall to 3-3-2 in a 4-3 loss vs. the Hurricanes.  The score might indicate a close, well played game.  Not so much.  Although it is another 1 goal game, 5th in a row, its another loss and spotted lead through sloppy play.

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

D pairings:  Hamonic-MacDonald, Visnovsky-Hickey, Carkner-Strait.

Nabokov in net, Poulin backing up.

Per Christian Arnold, "Capuano said Donovan sitting isn't indication he's played bad."

 

Instead, the Isles did some good things to start the game, struggled to score and left the first period in a scoreless tie.  What they did lose in the first period was Lubomir Visnovsky to a possible concussion off  a Dvorak hit against the glass.  The coaching staff said he will be re-evaluated tomorrow.  Shots were even at 7-7.

 

At 9:08 of a terribly played second period for the Islanders, Carkner slides into a prone Nabokov and puts him down for several minutes.  Though Nabokov would not leave the game, the Isles were in need of anything good to happen down 3-0.  Matt Moulson (MacDonald) would get the Isles on the board, making it 3-1 Canes.  SoG were 12-7 canes for the period, 19-14 for the game.

 

The third period is usually when the sleeping Isles awake and struggle to get back into the game.  Tonight would be no different.  They did come on strong and play a strong, inspired period.  The Isles would score twice after Carolina made it 4-1 halfway through the period.  Frans Nielsen (Okposo & Moulson) would score a few minutes later and then Kyle Okposo (Bouchard & Moulson) would pull the Isles within 1 at 4-3, Canes.  But time would expire and the game would end a 4-3 Carolina win. Shots on goal were 11-4 Isles for the period and 25-23 for the game.

 

 

 

Per Newsday, "We didn't have much urgency at all," said Andrew MacDonald, who logged 30:25 of ice time with Visnovsky out. "We know how we have to play and it seemed like we were standing still a lot of the time."

 

 

Per Andy Graziano, " Concerning me a little (not a lot) is Nabokov not being available to media tonight. He's always available."  It may be that we find out Nabby's collision caused more damage than first expected.  How serious?  Does that mean a start for Kevin Poulin on Tuesday vs. Vancouver @7pm?  If so, what do the Isles do for a back up.  Call up a goalie or eventually sign one?

 

And on defense, Matt Donovan may finally make the line up for a few games with Lubo injured.  And then again, it may be Martinek or deHaan.  The roster move may seem predictable, but it you would have to think if a young player is part of the future, he would get the nod to start contributing to the team dynamic.  Or would he?

 

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

Bridgeport Sound Tigers recalled (F) Nick Larson from the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL .

Per Arthur Staple, "Brock Nelson leaving Coliseum with his gear, headed to Bridgeport. Will play tomorrow, then Isles will decide on a possible recall." 

 

He is officially being sent to BST "on loan," not assigned.  He is better off with the minutes in a key role at BST than healthy scratches on the Island.