Tonight your New York Islanders welcome Jonathan Toews &
the Chicago Blackhawks into the sold out NVMC on Long Island. Chicago is
riding an 8 game unbeaten streak and are another big test for the Isles. Islanders great, Clark Gillies will be
honored during the pre game ceremony. "I get back to Moose Jaw
when I can but Long Island is where we will always call home."
Gillies said he expects to grow a playoff beard this year for his alma matter
when the make it to the post season. Josh Bailey returns to the roster
tonight for Eric Boulton and Brian Strait has been scratched for Griffin
Reinhart, officially noted as personal reasons. Strait is far from the only reason the Islanders have lost a
season-high 3 straight games, but he has been on-ice for 13 of the last 15
goals against (5.67 gaa over last 3) & a total of 20 even strength goals
surrendered. That total is the most of any Isles player & good (or
bad) enough for his -8 rating. In some very good news, Johnny Boychuk,
Travis Hamonic & Casey Cizikas are all back to regularly practicing with the team,
which is good news. Lets hope the Isles
have made adjustments and come out with something to prove against another
elite opponent tonight. We know Nick
Leddy will be ready to face the team that traded him as a salary cap casualty.
Forwards: Kulemin-Tavares-Okposo,
Grabovski-Nielsen-Bailey, Grabner-Nelson-Lee, Martin-Strome-Clutterbuck.
Defensive Pairings:
Leddy-de Haan, Visnovsky-Hickey, Donovan-Reinhart.
Jaroslav Halk gets the start with Chad Johnson backing up.
In the first period,
the Isles go right to the PK (Grabovski) at the 19:14 mark and are
successful with the kill. The Islanders
continue to play well, but have been outshoot 6-1 by the 13:00 mark. Bickell rings one off the post behind
Halak. Halak makes a huge save on Saad
who blew by Leddy. Kyle Okposo comes
close on the scoring chance and then gets hauled down without a call on the
ice. Okposo has worked hard all period
long, like he is on a mission. I like
it. Frustration seems to be mounting
for the Isles who are working hard at the end of the period. Reinhart draws the penalty. Isles to the PP,
but fail to generate much. The period
ends scoreless with the Hawks leading in shots 10-8 & face offs 10-4. Halak has been the difference so far.
In the second, the Isles come out strong & put shots on
Blackhawks net. Isles to the PP (Toews)
and get much better pressure, but game is still scoreless. Matt Martin is upping the physicality. Love the pressure by the Isles this period,
but sooner or later it has to translate into a net gain. Grabovski has a few strong chances, but as I
said, has to bury one. A crowded crease
and an initial Halak save isn't enough to stop the odd rebound that goes in after
it soars over his head, 1-0 Chicago.
Just 6 seconds later, Cal Clutterbuck creates a goal off of an
uncharacteristic turnover by Keith's. I
am not sure there is a bigger momentum shifting player for the Islanders than
Cal Clutterbuck. Between his timely
goals and his tenacious grit, he makes things happen. We need to call him "Cluttcherbuck" from now on. Score tied at 1-1. Isles finish a well played period ahead on shots 25-17 and really
kept pace with a very good Chicago team.
It must again be noted that the Isles are behind
22 of 34 face offs so far in the game. I cant understand why Garth Snow
doesn't bring in a face-off specialist to the coaching staff. The team's need
justifies the position. It is such a glaring weak point in their game. The third
period will tell the tale.
In the third period, Kane puts the puck the only place that
Halak gave him to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead. Kyle Okposo (Tavares
& Leddy) is rewarded for his hard work & buries the rebound for the
tying PPG, 2-2. Lubo Visnovsky (Strome
& Martin) scores a patient goal & gives the Isles a 3-2 lead less than
a minute later. The Isles fore check has
been solid. With around 9 minutes remaining, the Isles
will have to repel a motivated Blackhawks team. The Isles defensive play has returned to high
level tonight, especially in third period against great team. Nice adjustment
by coaching staff. Halak making big
saves late to preserve the lead. Hawks pull
Darling with 1:21 remaining for the extra attacker. Strome hits the post on the empty net. Clutterbuck ices puck with 11.2 remaining. Timeout is called. Isles hold on to snap the Hawks 8 game winning streak and their
own 3 game losing streak to win 3-2.
They out shot the Blackhawks by an impressive 41-25 margin. For the first time in franchise history, the
Isles have won 20 times in their first 30 games and join only two other teams
(Chicago & Anaheim) at the 20 win mark.
Jaro Halak was a very solid 23/25 with a .920
Sv% behind a defense that played a much better game in front of him
tonight. Ryan Strome (and his line
mates for that matter) had some great defensive work tonight and he did a great job by staying out of
the penalty box. Kyle Okposo and Lubo
Visnovsky were stars of the game and don't forget the play of Matt Donovan
& Griffin Reinhart tonight. They
were big when they had to be. The Isles were
physical, out hitting the Hawks 42-29, but were very poised tonight and it
showed in the result. Clark Gillies is probably very proud. Most importantly, the Isles had a great
third period which has been a weak period for them lately and added another big win to the season total. Although they lost to the Blues, they started playing much better than in recent games and that carried through into tonight. They could have put their heads down on a sick go ahead goal by
Kane, but dug in and came back in a statement type of win against Chicago.
Up next, a home game vs. the Devils.
Isles Notes:
Cory Conacher has been placed on and cleared waivers in
order to report to the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
Sound Tigers Notes:
The BST have signed forward Colton Gillies.
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