Weekend Lookback: Washington & New Jersey

This weekend, your New York Islanders finished a home-at-home series with the Washington Capitals & met the New Jersey Devils at the NVMC for a Denis Potvin tribute night. 

On Friday, the Islanders fell to the Caps by the score of 5-2, with Johnny Boychuk (UBI) out of the line up, and saw Lubomir Visnovsky leave the game with a upper body injury.  It was only their second loss in twelve games, but the Isles fell behind 2-0 in the first and struggled to find their stride for the rest of the game.  Other than scoring two nice goals (Tavares & Lee) in less than a minute to tie the score in the first, their sloppy play would eventually cost them while Chad Johnson (22/26 with an .846%) had another rough start.  Despite the Isles outshooting the Caps by a 28 to 27 margin and blocking 27 shots on net, the special teams weren't so special with an 0/2 PP and a 1/2 rating on the PK.

The next night, the Isles came out with a little more urgency.  It could have been because Denis Potvin was in the building in front of another sold out crowd.  Nikolay Kulemin, Cal Clutterbuck put the Isles on the board after strong play in the first two periods. It was Casey Cizikas' short handed, empty net goal that would preserve the 3-1 win.  But the real story of the game, and a microcosm for the season was the solid play of Jaroslav Halak.  Halak played big in net for the Isles, making 34 saves on the night for his 9th win in a row.  In the third period, the Isles were out shot 16-2, and Halak made some huge saves that repelled the Devils attempt at a comeback, especially in the 5 on 3 late in the period.  "I always say, you're only as good as your last game," - Halak. 

 

 

 

Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey played well for New York against the Devils and made a major impact on the ice defensively.  A healthy de Haan is fast becoming the type of player the Isles expected and let's just look at Hickey's maturation in the Isles system. A former LA first rounder, then Isles waiver pick-up to a solid NHL D-man. Casey Cizikas was another Islander that had a strong game for me.  His intangibles are always there.  He & his line mates usually make a difference to the Isles beyond the score sheet. 

 

 

Lubomir Visnovsky and Johnny Boychuk were out with upper body injuries (day-to-day). Matt Donovan replaced Lubo Visnovsky and worked hard, even getting some time on the PP.  Credit the Isles for refocusing their play, even on their sixth game in nine nights and have won 11 of their last 13 (11-2-0) for the first time in 24 years, second time in franchise history, and have won 17 times in the first 24 games for the first time in franchise history per Eric Hornick.

The Islanders are 17-7-0 overall, 9-2-0 at home and 8-5-0 on the road.  17 wins put the Isles at the top spot for the most in the NHL and with the win, extends their home streak to 6.  Halak is one win away from tying Billy Smith’s club record for consecutive victories (10), which was set in 1982 - Hornick.  Pure win.

 

 

Isles Notes:

Anders Lee completed his 100th pro game (41 NHL, 59 AHL). He had his 40th pro goal (15 NHL, 25 AHL).

It is impressive to notice that the Isles have no over time losses. Winning those games guaranteed that the Isles gained the extra points.   Teams around them have given those points up in similar situations. That is a major reason that the Isles are at the top of the NHL right now.  Love it.

Former Islander, Oleg Kvasha returns to professional hockey with Barys in the KHL.

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

 

The Sound Tigers snapped their six game winless streak this afternoon as they defeated the Providence Bruins 3-0 at Webster Bank Arena.  Kevin Poulin (8-3-1) picked up his first shutout of the season as he made 33 saves and was named the first star of the game.

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From Craig at New York Islanders Hardcore:

THE 2ND ANNUAL NYIHC "TOYS FOR TOTS" TOY DRIVE WILL BEGIN THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. ALL TOYS MUST BE UNWRAPPED. THNX IN ADVANCE!!!! NYIHC .... you can contact me or Victor Grappone for drop off location and I will also be collecting at The Barn.