Weekend Lookback: Washington & Columbus

On Saturday, your New York Islanders looked extended their point streak to seven games in front of 16.008 NVMC fans, and did so with a shoot out loss to Washington.  The Islanders came out and played hard, playing physical and moving the puck well in the game.  Cal Clutterbuck (Cizikas & Grabner) scored in the first while John Persson (Hamonic & de Haan) scored his 1st NHL goal and Frans Nielsen (Bailey & Donovan) scored a PPG in the second to give New York a 3-1 lead mid-way through the second period.  But Washington would tie the game at 3-3 off a couple of broken plays before periods end.  Another blown lead led to a loss and another missed opportunity.  The third period and O.T. saw both clubs skate hard, but were unable to score.  Nielsen, Strome & Nelson were stopped by Holtby, while Kuznetsov would put the game winner behind Nabokov who finished 22 for 25 with a .897Sv%.  While the Isles out shot the Caps 38-29 and were strong on the PK, going 5 for 5, their PP was a dismal 1 for 3 in the game.

While the loss is disappointing, the loss of Calvin de Haan (lower body) & the recently returned Michael Grabner (upper body) left the game with injuries. The Islanders would recall Sundstrom and Mayfield in their absence.

 

John Persson with his 1st NHL goal puck.

On Sunday, the Isles Scott Mayfield (#42) was the 12th rookie to dress for the Isles this season out of 35 players total (Staple) in place of Calvin de Haan whose return is unlikely for this season.  The Isles faced the Blue Jackets in Columbus and would have their point streak snapped and suffered their first regulation loss in eight games, losing the game, 4-0.  The Isles looked unpolished and struggled to find their game, even early in the first period.  Columbus scored 3 PPG's (Isles were 0 for 2) and an even strength goal by the end of the second period while the Isles were disorganized, especially in the defensive zone.  While I thought Mayfield performed well, the absence of Calvin de Haan was evident.  Anders Nilsson struggled as well, going 29 for 33 with a .879Sv%.  Nilsson once again struggled with rebounds and holding on to the stick, but got little help from his team on defense.  Columbus looked hungry to remain in the final wild card spot and showed the Isles what they were playing for.

 

 

 

Eric Hornick pointed out that the loss guarantees that team will finish in bottom 8 and retain option to defer 1st round pick due to Sabers until 2015.  The Isles can not finish below Buffalo/Edmonton/Florida but will likely jostle w Calgary for 26/27 (tied in pts, Flames hold tie-break).

 

Isles Notes:

 

Apr 7   Per Matt Saidman, Matt Carkner left the ice after 40 minutes of practice and looked as if he was hurting.

 

Apr 7   Brett Gallant has been recalled on emergency basis from @TheSoundTigers.

 

Apr 7    Per Michael Fornabaio, Johan Sundstrom has been sent down to the BST.

Apr 6   Arthur Staple reports that Kyle Okposo has yet to skate and is rumored to be out for the remainder of the season.

 

Apr 6   Travis Hamonic wins PHWA 'good guy' award for the Islanders.

 

Apr 5   Johan Sundstrom and Scott Mayfield have been recalled on emergency basis from @TheSoundTigers.

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Apr 7   Victor Crus Rydberg, Kyle Burroughs & Jesse Graham make their pro debuts w/ @TheSoundTigers.

 

Apr 3   Marc Cantin has been reassigned to the @StocktonThunder.