Refocused Islanders Are Locked In

On Saturday, your New York Islanders had their biggest game of the season so far to that point - home against possible playoff opponent, Pittsburgh.  The stars were seemingly aligned for a strong effort from an Isles team that had been doing mostly good things of late.  Unfortunately, New York came out completely in a funk, giving up a SHG and 2 PP goals enroute to a 5-0 blowout by a surging Pens team in front of their backup goaltender.

Head coach Jack Capuano wasn’t pleased.  "I think that certain guys feel that other guys can pick it up. I don’t think our secondary guys are doing anything to help us win." He specifically called out Josh Bailey, Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson for not doing enough for their team.  Captain, John Tavares had a closed door, team only meeting and probably let the guys know things needed to change.

On Monday, the Islanders followed up with an impressive 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Tavares led the way with 3 points and the rest of the team showed up and skated well to score 3 unanswered goals for New York.  John Tavares, Ryan Pulock and Brock Nelson were awarded the 3 stars of the game.  Unfortunately, the Isles saw Calvin de Haan injured after blocking a shot in the first period, adding to the Isles defensive zone injury woes that include Jaro Halak and Travis Hamonic.

Last night, the Isles drew the NHL leading Washington Capitals and top keeper, Brayden Holtby, who was pushing for an NHL wins record in a season for a goaltender.  To make things even more interesting, Scott Mayfield and goaltender Christopher Gibson (19-11-6 in 42 games for BST) joined the Islanders with Ryan Pulock to offer some back up depth from Bridgeport for what would be his first NHL start.  How’s that for pressure? The fact that Capuano was giving Gibson the start in a game in which New York could clinch a playoff spot didn’t sit well with some fans.  But the team almost never plays a goalie on consecutive nights and Thomas Greiss was probably in Capuano’s plan against the Rangers for Thursday.  Cal Clutterbuck didn’t dress, Eric Boulton did, and Brian Strait (upper-body) was injured in the game, adding even more to the list of Isles injuries.  I think the Isles organization should seriously reevaluate their training program in the off season. I know injuries just happen, but you can’t have guys dropping out like this late in year.

The Islanders came out hard and despite falling behind 3-1 early in the second period, managed to score 2 unanswered goals and the game winner (Hickey) in overtime to shock the Capitals at the Verizon Center for a 4-3 win and a playoff berth.  John Tavares (1 & 2 for 3 pts in the game) traded goals with Ovechkin in the first two periods and Okposo and Lee rallied to tie the game after another Ovechkin and Oshie goal for the 2 goal Caps lead in the third.  Another scary moment occurred when Matt Martin, who has been playing at a higher level lately, skated to the bench with his arm hanging at his side.

In overtime after taking a skate to the face minutes before on the Okposo goal, Thomas Hickey took a perfectly placed feed from John Tavares off a Ryan Strome rebound and sealed the win for the Islanders by beating Holtby high on the glove side.  Hickey now has 13 career goals, 3 of which are O.T. winners.  He is another special player, who was acquired by Snow with a competitive drive consistent with quite a few guys on the roster.  Christopher Gibson (4th Isles goalie to win a game this season) went 29 of 30 with a .906 Sv% in the game and made a few amazing saves in his NHL debut, including a stunner against Kuznetsov in O.T.  What was especially impressive was the young net minder managed to keep his focus after his team went down two goals in a 5 minute span of the second.  Gibson had this to say on the night’s game, "I don't have any words. I'm still on a high from that game...I believed in our team and I knew we were going to come back."

Credit Capuano for calling out the players he did and seemingly having a good read on his team.  I disagreed with blaming some secondary players, but the coach made the right move.  And in a season many have called a struggle, John Tavares has quietly shown he is an elite player once again and has really led his team when the season was on the line to help them reach the playoffs.  The next few weeks should be an exciting time for the team and the fans.

The Islanders are 2 points behind the third place Rangers who they will face on Thursday.  It should be one of the more significant Isles-Ranger games we will get the privilege to see in quite some time.  Keep in mind the Isles lead the season series 3-0 and should ride an emotional wave into MSG to face their rivals.  They are 6 points ahead of the Flyers and could even finish in 2nd place with three games to play.

Isles Notes:

The postseason begins on Wednesday, April 13th.  The Isles clinched a playoff spot for the second straight season and the third time in four seasons.

John Tavares scored to reach the 30-goal mark for 3rd time in his NHL career (also 2014-15, 2011-12).

Adam Pelech has been sent to the BST for conditioning.  This should get him ready for the Islanders in case he is called upon for defensive depth in the playoffs.

My dog Hades made the Isles website on National Puppy Day, coming in at #11.

Sound Tigers Notes:

The BST have recalled Parker Milner from the Missouri Mavericks.