West Coast Lookback: Nashville

Your New York Islanders faced the Predators in Nashville last night.  The Preds came into the game on a 4 game losing streak, but boasted a 25-5-1 record going into the contest.  The Islanders have had their struggles lately as well, but have managed to grab points in most of their recent games.  Eric Boulton and Casey Cizikas were removed from the team's IR list to reinforce the Islanders recent bouts with injury.

 

Lee-Tavares-Bailey, Kulemin-Nielsen-Strome, Grabner-Nelson-Clutterbuck, Boulton-Cizikas-McDonald.

de Haan-Hamonic, Leddy-Boychuk, Hickey-Visnovsky.

Jaro Halak got the start with Michal Neuvirth backing up.

John Tavares (Bailey & Visnovsky) and Anders Lee, PPG (Leddy & Tavares) scored in the first period to give the Isles a 2-0 advantage with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first.  While New York took the lead, Nashville came out buzzing, but Jaro Halak was good early, and he needed to be.  The Predators outshot the Isles 15-5 in the first and had several good chances to dictate the play early in the period.  Unfortunately for New York, they gave up another goal late in the period with under two seconds remaining when Wilson put Nashville on the board to make it 2-1 going into the first intermission.

The Isles came out firing (12-5) in the second, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.  More scoring came in the third, when Nick Leddy (Nielsen & Boychuk) made it a 3-1 lead for New York.  Ribeiro scored a controversial deflection that went to review and stood.  Smith followed up with another Preds goal less than 30 seconds later to tie the score at 3-3.  It was another meltdown via turnovers and another blown lead in the third period, but the Islanders proved resilient yet again.  Brock Nelson (Grabner & Boychuk) put the Isles ahead for good, cashing in on a huge rebound by Rinne, for an exciting 4-3 win.  Shots finished 31-26 in favor of Nashville.  The Isles were 1/2 on the PP and 1/1 on the PK.  The victory in Nashville was the first in the last 6 attempts, going all the way back to when Garth Snow played in net for the Isles.

Tavares put on a stick handling clinic throughout the game, while putting himself among the leaders in points with 67 after a goal and assist on the night.  Nick Leddy also had 2 points on the night and proved a key component in the win.  They were named the first two stars of the game.  Jaro Halak finished 28 for 31 with a .903Sv%, improving to 34-13-1 on the season.

The Islanders improved to a 42-21-3 record with 87 points. Good enough for a two point lead in the metro (Rangers) and second in the east behind Montreal (88pts).  Eric Hornick mentions, “Isles are now 7+ over NHL 500, both home and road for 1st time in Post-Cup era.”

 

Kyle Okposo will make the trip to Florida and is planning to take the morning skate with his team.  This is good news for the Islanders who could really use a boost, returning regulars to the lineup.  No disrespect to guys like McDonald, Mouillierat or even Boulton, but the Isles have struggled firing on all cylinders with regularity in several facets of their game.  We know getting guys like K.O. & Zeeker should definitely help the situation.  Speaking of key injuries, New York is in Florida to face the Panthers on Saturday.  Both Florida goaltenders, Roberto Lunogo & Al Montoya are on the IR list.  I'd hope for Michal Neuvirth to be in net for New York in this one.

It’s a must win for the Isles.

 

Isles Notes:

 

Isles rookie, Anders Lee is tied for 25th in the NHL with 22 goals, 20th in NHL with +14.

Son of ex-Islander seeking no-jail deal after charges in Boogaard overdose.