Home Sweet Home?

Your New York Islanders had a tough week so far, dropping a 2-1 shootout to Minnesota and an equally painful 3-2 loss to Los Angeles.  It basically came down to failures to control play in their own zone and by extension, score goals against the opposition’s hot goaltenders. 

 

Here is my “Lookback” on the games.

 

The line up for both games were as follows:

Bailey-Tavares-Okposo, Kulemin-Nielsen-Kennedy, Lee-Nelson-Strome, Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Leddy-Boychuk, Hickey-Hamonic, de Haan-Strait with Halak in Goal.

 

When Minnesota came into the Coliseum on Tuesday, the Islanders organization honored Isles legend Pat LaFontaine (and longtime friend, Clinton Brown) with a ceremonial faceoff. He was welcomed back with a chorus of cheers from the sellout crowd.  And with the news of Thomas Vanek claiming the Islanders future in Brooklyn played a major role in him not re-signing fresh in the news, the Coliseum faithful let him know he wasn’t welcome each time he touched the puck.  The Isles came out and played one of their most complete games of the season, but ended up on the wrong side of the score after a tightly contested shootout loss.  John Tavares (Okposo & Lee) got New York a 1-0 lead in the closing seconds of a second period that saw them do everything they could to pile up more goals against Dubnyk.  Parise would tie the score Jaroslav Halak (31 of 32 with a .969 Sv%) played another solid game in net for the Islanders and made several heroic saves in the effort, including a lights out 2 on 1 against Parise & Pominville.  The winning shootout goal went off the goal post and took an odd bounce back into the net behind a sprawling Halak who was named 3^rd star of the night.  It was a tough way to lose a game that several in the organization felt they should have won.  Tavares said, “I thought most of the game, we outplayed them and dictated the play. We just have to score on our chances.”

 

 

 

Next, the LA Kings came to the NVMC on Thursday to face your New York Islanders.  Frans Nielsen (Kulemin & Hamonic) gave the Isles a 1-0 lead about 5 minutes into the second period and even killed off a 5 on 3 advantage for the Kings to maintain the lead until Shore evened the score at 1-1 less than 5 minutes later.  The Islanders were once again working hard, but seemed unable to take control and dictate play.  That was never more evident on a John Tavares turnover that resulted in a SHG for Toffoli to give the Kings a 2-1 lead two minutes into the third period.  Johnny Boychuk (Strome & Bailey) would tie the score on the PP a few minutes later. Unfortunately, Kopitar would get the 3-2 game winner in the 15:00 mark, off a tough redirection that beat a frustrated Jaro Halak.  The Islanders were outshot 37-27 in the game.  Halak was good again, going 34 of 36 with a .919Sv% and was named second star of the game.

 

 

 

The Islanders home winless streak has grown to 0-5-1, seeing them score just 9 goals in that stretch.  They are 3-6-3 in their last 12 games and struggling to keep pace in the overtime and shootout performances that they dominated with authority earlier in the season.  The two goals in the Kings game is the first multi-point night for the team in 5 games at the NVMC.  Their goaltending has been good and keeping them in the close ones, but they just can’t seem to find a way to get back on track offensively.  Some fans are critical of Capuano and the coaching staff on things like special teams or different lineup changes/ personnel decisions.  There has to be some valid concerns on the team’s latest series of shortcomings, but Capuano does have the Isles in their best position since 83-84 at 44-26-5 with 93 points thru 75 games so far.

Their PK has been very good lately, not surrendering a goal in 11 straight games. Even their PP is improving slowly, but there needs to be more than better efforts if they want to turn their strong work ethic into wins for the final 7 game stretch of the regular season.  They remain behind the first place Rangers by 8 points.  The Rangers were the first team to clinch an NHL playoff spot last night.  The Isles are just two points ahead of Pittsburgh in the Metro.  Despite recent struggles, John Tavares is one point behind Sidney Crosby (75) for the league lead in points with 74.

To me, the Isles are on the clock and need to return to their winning style of physical, fast paced, high scoring play if they want to keep up with their surging eastern conference competition and have any hopes of a home ice advantage…if that can still be seen as an advantage for them lately.

 

Cizikas: "We have to play a full sixty. We have gotten away from that the past few weeks. Just need to get back to the basics." 

Eric Hornick points out, “The Isles magic number for clinching a playoff spot was reduced to 9 by Boston's overtime loss to Anaheim.  Any combination of points won by the Islanders and/or lost by Boston will clinch a playoff spot for the Isles.”

Capuano announced after today's practice that Michal Neuvirth will get the start for the Isles tomorrow at 1 p.m. against Anaheim.

Isles Notes:

The FBI is now investigating the threats received by Nick Leddy on social media.  

Per Robert Brodsky, Five months before @Nassau_Coliseum repairs to begin, lead developer sues firm it brought in for retail side.
 

Forest City Ratner said Blumenfeld unilaterally changed the site plan and attempted to take control over the project.

The Islanders will wear special 1972 throwback jerseys for the final home game against Columbus at the NVMC.  The classic versions of the current style jersey feature orange numbers and name templates.  The jerseys will be available for auction and given to winning bidders off the players backs at the conclusion of the game.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

The Islanders have reassigned goalie Kent Simpson to the Thunder from the BST.

Ferris State standout G Motte inks AHL deal with Islanders.  At 23, Motte is a mature NCAA goaltender with a solid skill set.

28-9-3, 5 S.O. with a 2.17gaa & a .928 Sv% in 13-14
18-20-2, 5 S.O. with a 2.07gaa in 14-15 with a .922Sv%.

 

 

NHL Notes:

Judge denies NHL attempt to dismiss concussion lawsuit.

 

***

 

Give Nolan Egbert a look and lend him your support. #Isles