Isles Reeled In By Panthers

John Tavares will play his 400^th NHL game as your New York Islanders welcome the Florida Panthers to the NVMC.  Unfortunately, we will have to endure seeing the fisherman style jerseys for warm ups.  At least the proceeds will go to charity.  It has been reported that Kyle Okposo will miss 6-8 weeks for what is being reported as a “detached retna.”  Colin McDonald was called up again on an emergency basis with the possibility that Casey Cizikas couldn’t go again tonight, but was sent down just prior to game time.

With the division lead diminishing, special teams & defense need to improve. The Isles have been sloppy, committed turnovers and allowed way too many shots over the last few games and need to reverse that trend.  These points must be treated as life or death going forward, especially against “weaker” opponents.  It’s put up or shut up time for a team that wants to be known for having taken the next step. Several strong teams around them won't allow losing streaks. It’s go time.

Forwards:  Lee-Tavares-Bailey, Grabovski-Nielsen-Kulemin, Grabner-Nelson-Strome, Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck.

Defensive Pairings:  de Haan-Hamonic, Leddy-Boychuk, Hickey-Visnovsky.

Jaro Halak is in net with Chad Johnson backing up.

Anders Lee is set up by a nice zig-zag pass play from Josh Bailey and John Tavares to give the Isles a 1-0 lead early in the game.  Unfortunately, the Isles have struggled again defensively and Hayes would tie the game at 1-1 on a blind shot for Florida less than three minutes later.  Butch Goring pointed out the defensive breakdowns in front of Halak and they have happened a lot in the period.  The Isles are again struggling to clear their own zone and the momentum has been almost all Florida.  They are playing a fast paced aggressive style that dictates the Isles unsettled style of play.  Conversely, Anders Lee looks really playing well on the top line and has been the Isles best player in a sloppy team period for New York.  Ekblad gets a delay of game penalty, the Isles go to the PP.  Time expires in the first with the Isles on the man advantage.  The teams were split at 12 shots a piece.  New York will need to be a lot better in the second period if they want to get back to their winning ways.  Halak did a great job without too much help keeping the tie intact.

The Isles start the second with the remaining 47 seconds of their PP, but do not generate much.  Isles are still noticeably out of sync.  Gundbranson beats Cizikas and backhands a weak one past Halak on the short side, 2-1 Florida.  Islanders are starting to generate more pressure in the offensive zone and doing a better job of moving the puck, especially out of their own zone.  Panthers caught with too many men penalty, Isles to the PP again.  Visnovsky with a huge giveaway, Halak makes the save.  Anders Lee (Hamonic & Leddy) redirects a Travis Hamonic blast to tie the game on the PP at 2-2.  Lee (15) is now 2 goals behind Forsberg (17) for tops in rookie goal scoring.  John Tavares takes a slash form Bolland without a call and retaliates.  Isles finish the period on the PK.  Panthers will have 27 seconds of PP time to start the third.  Isles with a 14-9 advantage in shots for the period and while it was far from perfect, it was a much better effort. 

The Panther PP finishes without a shot to open the 3^rd period.  Lubo Visnovsky with another giveaway and Cal Clutterbuck is called for a questionable high-sticking call on Pirri and Hayes makes it 3-2 Panthers.  Isles PK is absolutely fallen off the dramatically.  Petrovic takes liberties with a slash to Martin who obviously takes exception.  Michael Grabner with a good break away chance, but can’t convert.  Pirri called for a faceoff violation, Isles back to the PP late in the third down by one.  Isles called a timeout with 46 seconds left in the man advantage.  Halak is pulled with 12 seconds left to the PP for a brief two man advantage.  Isles with an extra skater to try and tie the game and Pirri scores the ENG for a 4-2 Florida win.  Panthers manage a 9-8 advantage in shots for the third with the Islanders holding a 34-30 edge in the game.  Jaro Halak was 26 of 29 with an 897Sv%.  Anders Lee was named second star of the game and was definitely a bright spot for the Isles.

Capuano, “I'm going to opt out on PK questions tonight.”  He also had no comment on report on Okposo and his injury.

The Islanders season is far from lost, but again, these miscues are starting to multiply and cost the team momentum, wins and points.  Key injuries are starting to test their depth and the team is struggling to get back on track with on ice management in my opinion.  A loss against the Panthers is another missed opportunity and a huge loss of two points in a tight divisional race.  It’s also the Isles first back to back home loss of the season.  Special teams were terrible again (PP at 1/3 & PK 1/2) and their defensive play was erratic.  These two things are key in the success for this team moving forward and must be improved for the team to be considered as an elite team or even stay in the thick of the race. 

 

With the Isles in first place, dropping their last three games, the Rangers who sit in third place for example now have two games at hand and only three points behind them.  Not stating this to be a hater, just reiterating the obvious. 

 

There is plenty of time and the talent is there, but Capuano and his staff need to figure this out.

 

 

The Islanders are in Philadelphia on Thursday.

 

Isles Notes:

 

Attendance was 14,407 for tonight’s game which ends the home sell out streak at 7 games.

John Tavares has been named second star of the week for the NHL. “@91Tavares shared 3rd in NHL w/ 16pts in 12 games to lead @NYIslanders to 7-5-0 January & top spot in the Metropolitan Division.”

 

Former Isles goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov cleared waivers (TBL) and is considering retirement.