Knight of Cups: West Coast Lookback: Isles Drop A Close One In Dallas

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

West Coast Lookback: Isles Drop A Close One In Dallas

Arthur Staple had some pregame notes prior to the game against Dallas last night. Jaroslav Halak was slated to play in goal with Michal Neuvirth backing up, Lubomir Visnovsky would be in for Brian Strait & Tyler Kennedy would play in place of Kael Mouillierat. Kennedy would wear #26 and Neuvirth, #30 for New York.

A short time after, the Islanders Twitter account made an update. “Injury Update: Tyler Kennedy will not dress tonight due to an upper-body injury. Kael Mouillierat will take his place in the lineup.”

Today, Staple said, “Capuano: Kennedy sent back to LI for further evaluation. Cizikas could arrive later today. Cizikas could play tomorrow, particularly if Martin is suspended. Hearing is later today.”

I asked Staple on twitter if Kennedy’s injury undisclosed to Isles in the trade. A short while later, he put up a tweet saying, “Kennedy's injury was preexisting before the trade, though he'd been playing sparingly for SJ up to deadline.” This was odd because reading the game notes and seeing Kennedy in pregame interviews, he seemed in good spirits and excited to play his first game as an Islander. It’s an unfortunate aside for a player that could help the Islanders depth at forward when healthy. While there isn’t a reason to worry as of yet for the potential Kennedy will bring for a late round pick, it is an interesting thing to keep an eye on going forward.

The game started in the usual way, until the Islanders found themselves on the PK for 5 minutes. The Stars broadcaster called Matt Martin the Islanders “barbaric winger,” after Martin received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct early in the first period for a hit on Stars defensemen, Trevor Daley. Martin was scheduled to have an NHL hearing for his “knee to knee” hit on Daley. Dallas Coach, Lindy Ruff said Daley could be out “weeks,” with his lower body injury in a press conference today. Grabner and Kulemin filled in for Martin’s lost ice time and helped the Isles manage the deficit of being a man down for most of the game.

UPDATE: Martin has been suspended for one game per NHL.

After the Isles killed off the major, Josh Bailey (Strome & Nelson) gave N.Y. a 1-0 lead near the end of the first period. Neither team would score in the second period. Richie & Fiddler would score early in the third to give the Stars a 2-1 lead in the game that seemed like it would carry them through regulation until Anders Lee came up big with less than 2 seconds remaining by putting a desperation shot off a Dallas defender to even the score at 2-2 & force overtime.

Unfortunately for N.Y., Thomas Hickey would ring another possible O.T. game winner off the cross bar. Shortly after that, Eakin would score the 3-2 game winner at 2:18 of the extra session, but not before the Islanders stole a point to help them keep pace in the race for the metro division lead.

The officiating left a lot to be desired again, but credit the Isles for at least working hard and finding a way to stay in the game until the end. The Isles were a disappointing 0/3 on the PP, but held a solid 5/5 on the PK. Jaro Halak (32 of 35 with a .914Sv%) played another solid game for the Islanders and was named third star of the game.

In Nashville next on Thursday, 8PM start.