Your New York Islanders are now 18-8-5 with
42 points after 31 games played and have extended their non-losing streak to
8-0-2. After a solid 4-0 win against the
rival Devils at the Barclays Center in front of 13,259 screaming faithful last
night, the Islanders showed how they can play a methodical and complete
game. They were so good, they chased
Corey Schneider from the net and overtook second place seat in the Metro from the
Rangers following the win. The Isles are
7-0-2 in the Metro and are the only NHL team to earn a point in all their
division games this season. Against the
Devils, Zidlicky book-ended 2 and Tavares & Martin scored the middle 2 goals
in the game. Thomas Greiss (9-3-2) got
his 4th career shutout, his first as an Islander and as Eric Hornick points out,
it’s the only shut out by an Isles keeper not named Halak in the last two NHL
seasons. Your Isles are only 1 point off their pace from last season and haven’t
lost in regulation since before Thanksgiving.
You remember those dark days, right?
That was way back when the very same New York Rangers held an 11pt lead
over them.
Just think of when the first line gets back
up to speed with the other 3, how dangerous their offense could be in time for
the playoffs. It will lend itself to how
well the team has been playing their defensive game in front of the only top 10 (Sv% & gaa) goaltending tandem in the NHL. Johnny
Boychuk, Nick Leddy and Travis Hamonic are elite NHL defensemen game in and
game out. Marek Zidlicky is a skilled
journeyman highlighted by his memorable game against NJ and Thomas Hickey’s
return has been a big improvement to the blue line. But the play of Calvin de Haan (12th overall
in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft) goes well beyond the stat sheet and his game has
been noticeably improved this season.
de Haan is 1 & 4 for 5 points and a +6 in
31 GP for the Islanders. He averages
over 20 minutes of ice time a game and has been counted on in many key
situations by Coach Capuano and his staff.
de Haan’s special teams play has improved along with his standard defensive
game. And with his strong skating and improved
veteran D game falling into place, It feels like it’s only a matter of time
before his juniors offensive output could start to reach his pro game
performance. Especially watching a veteran
player like Marek Zidlicky do his thing day in and day out. de Haan has been limiting some of the bad
decisions and turnovers that he seemed to commit over the past few seasons. I think a few fans might be noticing that he
has started to make a difference. What
do you think?
Isles Notes:
The Isles have killed all 22 opponent power
plays in their last nine games. It’s the second such streak this season.
Sound Tigers Notes:
The Islanders AHL affiliate, Bridgeport Sound
Tigers are 16-10-1-1.
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