Islanders Harpoon Sharks

Tonight, the San Jose Sharks are on the Island.  Its another real test for the surging Islanders to see how they can compete with one of the NHL's elite teams.  Per Eric Hornick, Isles look for 7th straight W (3 in Apr, 4 in Oct) tonight -- last won 7 straight (you won't beLIeve it) 12/31/89-1/19/90 (9 gms).  Are they for real?

Forwards:  Conacher-Tavares-Okposo Grabovski-Nelson-Strome Bailey-Nielsen-Kulemin Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck.

Defensive Pairings:  Leddy-Boychuk Hickey-Hamonic de Haan-Strait.

Jaro Halak is in net with Chad Johnson backing up.

 

In the first period, the Isles play with a lot of energy but are being bested by San Jose.  A few missed opportunities in front of the net.  Mikhail Grabovski laid out by a clean hit, gets to his feet slowly and skates to the locker room for evaluation.  Isles leading in takeaways 7-1 & out shooting Sharks 13 to 3 at this point with 9 blocked shots against.  Halak looking poised for the Isles.  Sharks rookie, Stalock keeping the game scoreless.  Grabovski did not return.  Game remains scoreless.  The Isles can't keep failing to score on those chances

Grabovski is not on the bench to start the second period.  I hope Grabovski is OK, but who gets the call up if he is hurt. It would have to be Anders Lee.  Per Arthur Staple, "Grabovski (upper body) out for tonight, Isles say."  That probably means concussion to anyone who doesn't speak the lingo.  Tavares takes a hard shot off his foot, Sharks take a 1-0 lead while Tavares lays on the ice.  Nice.  Tavares back on the ice & doesn't miss a shift.  Nick Leddy (Tavares & Okposo) roofs it to even the score at 1-1 for the Isles.  Islanders renewing their focus here with a lot of pressure against San Jose, but Sharks score on a PP off a deflection and a partial screen, 2-1 Sharks.  Brian Strait having another poor performance early.  Halak still looking strong in net for the Islanders with a 3 on 1 save resulting from a bad change. Isles continue to apply pressure, but go wide and hit posts.  1st line is working hard & Casey Cizikas is having another strong game, making things happen.  Islanders finish period with a flourish, but still down 2-1.  Need to raise the level 5 on 5 and on the PK.  Isles still out shooting Sharks 28-11.

Isles come close to scoring early in the third period.  Josh Bailey's wide open shot goes high after it was deflected by a Sharks player.  So close to the equalizer.  Kyle Okposo ties the game at 2-2 on the PP.  Isles continue trend of strong third periods so far this season.  Isles & Sharks with an entertaining, hard fought game tonight.  Josh Bailey (Cizikas) corrals the puck, plays it, spins in front of the net and gives the Isles a 3-2 lead half way through the period.  Isles lead in shots 35-12.  Sharks ties the game a few minutes later, 3-3.  Isles respond with some nice defensive plays in their own end, Matt Martin with some strong efforts.  Travis Hamonic leading by example on the Isles defense.  This much can be said, As much as the Isles dominating in shots, the sharks have made theirs count.  Time expires and the Isles get a hard fought point in the standings.  The game is going to overtime.  Isles with shots advantage at 40-16 (73-50 in shot attempts) with a sight edge in physical play.  Halak finishes regulation going 13/16 with an .812Sv%.  Stalock with a strong game, .925Sv%.

The O.T. period opens with Nielsen sets up Hickey with a good scoring chance, but Stalock comes up with the save.  Both teams trade strong salvos throughout the period, but its going to a shoot out.

 

Frans Nielsen misses on the backhander.

Sharks score.

Brock Nelson goes wide.

Halak makes the save.

Kyle Okposo scores.

 

Halak makes the save.

 

Ryan Strome hits the post, no goal.

Halak gets a piece, puck goes wide.

 

John Tavares dekes and dangles for the score.

Halak stops Thorton, Isles win 4-3 in the shoot out, improve to 4-0 on the season.
 

 Thanks to Megan Reiff for the screenshot.

If you can find a big thing to be critical about, it was mistakes made in the defensive game.  Those mistakes led to goals for San Jose.  The fact that the Sharks were able to score goals on such a low shot total should be another troubling statistic to the coaching staff.  Despite strong play, Isles goalies still have so-so Sv% numbers.  These will have to improve to sustain momentum when Isles have trouble scoring in a game.  Arthur Staple says he was told Grabovski's injury was not a concussion, so that's good.  We will have to wait and see.  Keep Mikhail Grabovski in your thoughts tonight. 

Isles with a pretty complete effort from goal on out.  Their fore check was solid again and their tenaciousness in both zones was evident as well.  They never quit on the play and worked hard throughout the night.  de Haan had a decent debut and made a difference on the blue line.  Casey Cizikas was good.  John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Travis Hamonic all had big games for the Islanders tonight.  Give credit again to Josh Bailey.  His hard work continues to pay off.  The Power Play has been solid for the Isles so far this season as has their efforts in the third period.  Lets put this November thing to bed and were in business.  Its so satisfying to emerge bloodied, beaten & wounded, but still victorious.  Your team doesn't quit & that leads to consistency. 

Your New York Islanders just put the NHL on notice. They are the only undefeated team in the league tonight & they are for real.

 

 

Isles Notes:

Kyle Okposo & John Tavares are named stars of the game.

Islanders loan defenseman Griffin Reinhart to Sound Tigers.

John Tavares is the 2nd  player in New York Islanders history to open a season w/ 3 straight multi-pt games (Bossy started 1984-85 campaign w/ 7.)

Per Tom Liodice, "Johnny Boychuk has 2G, 3A, 5PTS on the PP this year in 3GP. His PP numbers in previous 321GP? 1G, 4A, 5PTS."

 

Per Rich DeKorte, "Hickey on now vs. last year: 'There is a different feeling about it sort of a confidence not a swagger but there is just a belief."

Strome: "You try to perform everyday at a high level because there are guys knocking at the door to take your spot."

Per @NHLhistorygirl, "On this date in 1972, defenseman Darius Kasparaitis was born in Elektrenai, USSR."

 

NHL Notes:

 

Per Neil Humble, "All 30 NHL goal horns to annoy your friends and please yourself," via @BarDown.