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

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Islanders Stun Sens


Islanders Legend, Jiggs McDonald will once again call tonight's game as the Ottawa Senators host your New York Islanders in Kanata, Ontario.  Ottawa is 5 points behind Columbus with 7 games remaining in the NHL season.  They will surely be ready to face the Isles who are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.   The Isles and their 10 rookies will take the ice once again with a hot Josh Bailey in his 400th NHL game who has 1 and 3 for 4 pts in his last four games.  Kyle Okposo & Michael Grabner remain out of the line up.  Arthur Staple mentions, "1st game here for Calvin de Haan, who grew up 10 minutes from the arena in Carp. I can already see a few Isles No. 44 jerseys in the crowd."

 

Forwards:  Lee-Nielsen-Bailey; Persson-Nelson-Clutterbuck; Martin-Strome-McDonald; Halmo-Cizikas-Sundstrom.


D-Pairings:  de Haan-Hamonic; Hickey-Czuczman; Donovan-Carkner.


Anders Nilsson is in net with Evgeni Nabokov on the bench.

 

In the first period, The Senators go for it right from the start.  The Islanders are scrambling, but doing a good job keeping them pushed to the outside.  Anders Nilsson with several big saves on the PK early in the period.  Cal Clutterbuck is stopped on a  shorthanded breakaway by Anderson.  Good transitional game by both teams with strong pressure in the offensive zone.  Casey Cizikas brings so much to this team, even in a scoring drought & Anders Lee has some good moves.  Islanders fail to score from 5 on 3, but Josh Bailey scores a PPG for his 8th of the season from Ryan Strome & Matt Donovan, 1-0 Islanders.  The Isles finish the period out shooting Ottawa 14-13, 1 for 2 on the PP and 2 for 2 on the PK.



 

The Islanders start the second period with strong defensive plays that create offensive rushes.  The defense is much improved over the last few games.  Isles come up empty again on the PP.  Capuano calls time out after things get dicey around the 13:00 minute mark.  Clutterbuck is stopped again on a break away chance late in the period.  Travis Hamonic attended to by trainer after bench door slammed into his knee from off a check.  Isles on the PK to finish period.  Sens with a 7-6 edge on shots in the period, 20-20 through two.

 

Anders Nilsson sharp to start the third period.  He seems to be having less trouble with his rebound control in the game.  Nilsson takes a swing at Neil with liberties taken.  A little more urgency has crept into Ottawa's game.  Ryan Strome comes close on a wide shot with Anderson down with around 14:00 remaining.  Johan Sundstrom heading off for tripping with 13:43 to play in the third, player pile moves into Nilsson's crease and after what seems like an eternity with Nilsson inside the cage, the puck goes in, score tied at 1-1.  Arthur Staple, "Neil shoves into Nilsson to dislodge puck, Michalek scores off scramble. 1-1. Bet that'll be reviewable next season. Now? Not so much."  Shortly after, Isles to the PP and Casey Cizikas scores a PPG from Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey, 2-1 New York.  It's been a 33 game scoring drought for Zeeker.  Islanders are on the puck and quick to break up Ottawa scoring chances late in the period.  Islanders pressure keeps Anderson in Ottawa net until :45 seconds remaining.  Nilsson with sharp save on difficult rebound.  Clutterbuck just misses the open net, but it doesn't matter.  Isles win 2-1.  PP finishes 2 for 4 and PK was 3 for 4.  Ottawa outshoot Isles 15-7 in the period and 35-27 in the game.  Anders Nilsson went 34 for 35 with a .971Sv%.

 

These are empty wins as far as the playoff race goes for the Isles, but their last few opponents were desperate for those points.  Everyone came to play tonight.  From Czuczman to de Haan to Cizikas to Halmo to Bailey, the team seems to be playing well as a unit as the young guys learn the ropes.  Nilsson had some huge saves and was much better in the game tonight as was the defense in front of him. That is a real good sign. The Islanders have a 14-4-2 record on the road in their last 20 games.  They are finding a way to win with a depleted roster.  Its frustrating to think of those early season losing streaks and blown leads and where this team, even now could have been.



 


Sound Tigers Notes: 


Confirmed - Jason Clark has been reassigned to the Sound Tigers from Stockton (ECHL).     


Chris Bruton has been named the Sound Tigers winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year.     

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