Tonight, your New York Islanders kick off the 2014-15 season
in Carolina against the Hurricanes. Cam
Ward will be in net for the canes and has dominated the Islanders in the
past. But these are not those
Islanders. The new look Isles will be
bringing even more firepower, a stronger defense and better goaltending to the
season opener. Some new free agent
additions like Jaro Halak, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Mikhail Grabovski,
Nikolay Kulemin, Cory Conacher are making the trip along with former prospect,
Griffin Reinhart who is making his first NHL start. Arthur Staple notes a very loud "Let's
Go Islanders!" chant can be heard form the Isles fans in attendance.
Forwards: Conacher-Tavares-Okposo;
Grabovski-Nelson-Strome; Bailey-Nielsen-Kulemin; Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck.
Defensive Pairings: Leddy-Boychuk;
Hickey-Hamonic; Strait-Reinhart.
Jaroslav Halak is in net with Chad Johnson on
the bench.
In the first period, the Isles came out with purpose. Johnny Boychuk (Okposo & Tavares) put
the Isles on the board with a one-timer PPG, 1-0 just a few minutes in. Johnny Boychuk & John Tavares set up
Brock Nelson, top shelf for a 2-0 lead with two minutes remaining.
In the second period, Johnny Boychuk puts it on net and it
goes in from Brock Nelson (& Tavares), 3-0 Isles. This marks Nelson's first two goal game and gives Boychuk a goal
& two assists to this point. Per
Erik Hornick, Isles are 21-0-0 in last 4 ssns when leading by at least 3 goals
after 2 pds.
The third period has been the Achilles heel for
the Isles in recent years. What would
happen tonight? Hurricanes score early
in the third before Travis Hamonic can pull the puck out before crossing the
goal line. Play is reviewed & its a
good goal, 3-1 Islanders. Shortly
after, Mikhail Grabovski converts off a
feed from Ryan Strome & Brock Nelson about 6 minutes in, 4-1
Islanders. Its Grabo's first as an
Islander. Travis Hamonic extends the
lead to 5-1 off a feed from Nelson & Strome, 5-1 Isles. Nelson up t 4 pts. on the night. Hurricanes catch Isles on a long shift for
top line and convert on a take away, 5-2 with just over five minutes remaining. With 1:36 remaining, Canes make it 5-3 on
the PP. Isles win 5-3.
The Isles PP & PK looked good tonight.
Several Islanders had a good game. Halak looked calm & poised in the nets. Whether it was a screened, deflected or a straight ahead shot, Halak was in position.
He finished 21/24 with an .875 Sv%. John Tavares and his line mates were flying tonight and led by
example. Johnny Boychuk certainly looks
like he is comfortable with the Isles now.
5 on 5 or on the PP, Boychuk was solid and showed why Snow brought him
here. Mikhail Grabovski looked solid
with line mates, Nelson & Strome.
They created a lot of offensive chances all game long. Ryan Strome
& Griffin Reinhart worked hard the entire night and held their own
for the game. Strome had some
nice chances and Reinhart had some nice plays in the defensive end. The fourth line of Martin, Cizikas &
Clutterbuck did all the again small things tonight.
They were physical, strong on the back check and drew penalties to keep
Carolina focused on them. The Islanders
depth showed and although it was only one game, you have to like how
the Isles looked in the game, even with all the injuries. Nelson
finished with 4 pts. while JT & Boychuk had 3. It was about Nelson & Halak tonight. They were the difference in the game. Carolina started to do some damage late, but
the Isles dominated much of the game. It was a third period deficit of sorts, but it seemed almost
meaningless. Is it?
These are not last years Islanders.
See you tomorrow at the NVMC! Come up and say Yo!
I'll
be with @NYIslesHardcore Sec
225, Row J, Seat 14.
Isles Notes:
Per Arthur Staple, Michael Grabner had surgery for a sports
hernia & is out indefinitely.
Probably 4-6 weeks.
Islanders legend, Bobby Nystrom is 62 today.
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