Isles Chance To Capitalize, Wasted!

Tonight, your New York Islanders will host the 8^th place Washington Capitals.  The Isles sit 10 points back in 14^th spot, but you can see tonight as a 4-point game.  A win for the Isles gives them 2 pts and removes a possible 2 points from Dale Hunter’s Capitals. 

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Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo; Grabner-Nielsen-Bailey; Ullstrom-Cizikas-Niederreiter; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive pairings:  Streit-Staios, MacDonald-Hamonic, Eaton-Jurcina.

Evgeni Nabokov will get the start tonight with Al Montoya backing up.

P.A. Parenteau is out with an upper body injury.  Missing tonight’s game will end his consecutive game streak at 137, per Eric Hornick.

Dylan Reese is a healthy scratch tonight.

Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas return tonight from a bout with the flu.

Matt Moulson is only one goal away from his 3rd consecutive 30 goal season.

The Islanders lead the NHL with 1,174 blocked shots. Andrew MacDonald owns 155 of those, tied for eighth in the league.

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In the first period, the Isles look good.  John Tavares (Moulson and MacDonald) gets an odd goal against Neuvirth reminiscent of the one scored against Mark Fitzpatrick years ago brouncing a few times and coming off the glass.  (Brian Compton sharing my brain)  1-0.  Cizikas and Ullstrom have come to play tonight.  Travis Hamonic (Tavares and Nielsen) makes a nice shot into traffic in front of the net and gets a ricochet goal.  2-0 New York.  The Islanders are out shooting the Capitals 10-4.

The second period opens with JT’s 1^st period goal has been given to Moulson, who is now the only Islander since Ziggy Palffy to score 30 goals in 3 consecutive seasons.  John Tavares (Streit and Hamonic) gets his goal, 3-0 Islanders.  Per Isles, “With his goal and assist, Tavares tied a career high in goals (29) and set a new career high in points (68).”  Washington comes right back and makes the score 3-1. 

On a positive note, the skill level of Hamonic and A-Mac is really something to have watched develop over the last couple of seasons.  Arthur Staple of Newsday mentions, “first 2-PPG game since Jan. 31 ... Travis Hamonic seems to add something that's been missing to the PP.”  Travis Hamonic has three points tonight. It's the first three-point night of his career and has five points in two games. 

And just like that, John Tavares with another sweet goal from Kyle Okposo.  4-1 Isles.  David Ullstrom showing some serious stick skills.  Capitals score, 4-2 Isles.  Shots are tied at 11 a piece for the period, Isles lead 21-15 in the game.

In the third, the Capitals score a quick goal to make the score 4-3.  That’s a late goal in the second and one in the first three minutes of the third.  The Islanders are losing momentum fast here midway through the period.  Ovechkin digs out a rebound and scores his second of the game.  Its 4-4 with fewer than 10 minutes to go.  Coach Capuano calls a time out to try and settle things down.  Capitals applying the pressure in last few minutes.  Isles out shot 10-7 in the period, but lead 28-25 for the game.  Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves and a.840 Sv%.

The Islanders lose control of the game and hand the team they are chasing at least 1 point.

Overtime. 

The teams trade some exciting scoring opportunities, but go to the shoot out.

Frans Nielsen hits the post.

Evgeni Nabokov makes the save on Semin.

John Tavares scores!

Ovechkin scores.

Matt Moulson, no goal.

Orlov loses puck for Caps, no goal.

Mark Streit, no goal.

Hendricks scores.  He froze Nabokov and caused him to fall backwards. 



Capitals win 5-4 in the shoot out.

The Capitals erase a 4-1 Isles lead, get the two points and win the game.  Isles raise their losing streak to an NHL worst 9 games when leading after two periods.  Once again, the psyche was too weak to maintain the necessary compete level, their defense gave up the lead and allowed Washington back into the game and they couldn’t take care of business in the shootout.

The Islanders should be furious after giving the last three games away, including tonight’s three-goal lead.  Erick Hornick mentions, “the Isles have trailed for 85 seconds in last three games ... and are 0-1-2.”  They need a top forward and defensemen to balance out the promising youth that will fill some of the holes left after this season. 


If Capuano is relieved, lets hope they do the right thing and hire an experienced NHL Coach who can motivate and maintain his team’s composure.  One who is better at "regulating discipline and decision making" of his team.

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Isles Notes:

Chris Botta comments, Grabner/Okposo respond to 5-year deals with 15g, 10a, -15 / 15g, 18a, -21.

Eric Hornick mentions per ESPN, with 6 dates to play, the Islanders have drawn 6,000 more people than they did all last season at home. Probably up 80-90k by yr end.

UPDATE:  Per Katie Strang of ESPN, Isles Prospect Mike Halmo suspended indefinitely as OHL continues to review hit on Yakupov Saturday. No timetable for decision right now.

UPDATE:  Mike Halmo given 10 game suspension. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=622562

In other news:

Per Bob McKenzie, NHL will ask AHL to put in experimental rule -- ringette line/Bowman rule -- for next season. Up to AHL to decide whether to do it.  Ringette line is across top of defensive zone circles. Team breaking out puck can't make two line pass without crossing ringette line 1st.

Per Piere LeBrun, Hybrid icing got full support but GMs want to iron out a few wrinkles with it first. Work in progress. NHL wants develop own version of it.

Devils, Rangers and Playoffs, Bye-Bye!

In game 3 of the Isles, Devils trilogy, your New York Islanders lost by the score of 2-1.  Against the Rangers, they fell by the score of 4-3 in O.T.  That’s two more losses in must win games for the fight to make the playoffs.

Now 28-31-10, the Isles sit 10 points behind the 8^th place Washington Capitals and in 14^th place with just 13 games to play.  Sounds like it’s a good time to raise the cost of season tickets for next season.

While Anders Nilsson made 26 saves with a .943 Sv%, and Evgeni Nabokov had 22 saves and a .889 Sv%, the Islanders defense let them down with a declining PK and sloppy play that resulted in untimely penalty chances for the opposition.  The Islanders had both games in hand as they went into the final 3 and 10 minutes of each game.

John Tavares, Matt Moulson, P.A. Parenteau, Travis Hamonic, Mark Streit and Milan Jurcina figured into the Islander goals over the two game span.  While its great to see the defense chip in, it tends to be the same guys that tend to score all the points, game in and game out. 

Consistency and a high compete level have been the Isles the chief problems all season long.  Secondary scoring is a frustrating puzzle that hasn’t ever been fully addressed.  Although there has been improvement in their games, players like Michael Grabner, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, Mark Streit and Nino Niederreiter haven’t had the type of season that Management had projected.  Chris Botta points out that the “4^th liners have a combined TWO goals. Nino (1), Pandolfo (1), Reasoner (0): Haley, others: 155+ games played, 2 goals.”

After a tough start, the Isles were near the top on the PP and PK in the NHL, but in recent weeks, they have been awful and fallen off sharply.  The defense is guilty of poor play in their own zone and the teams psyche seems to constantly fail them at the worst possible time.  They either start slow and give away a multiple goal lead or come out strong and play hard, only to give the game away at sometime, late in the third period.  I can say that despite the highly underachieving stopgaps of Staios, Mottau, Reasoner, Rolston and Pandolfo, the Isles still found a way to look good in several games this season and win in some big ones as well. 

I have come around to start pinning the blame on Coach Capuano and his staff after being a big supporter for most of the season based on the lack of team motivation and inconsistency.  These characteristics seemed to be a more regular style of play than the team being prepared and focused.  While I am not calling them a serious playoff contender, I still think that they are still capable of winning more than they have shown us.

The Ownership and Management are easy targets for the frustrated Islanders core fan base and seem to always have their negative results turn into the focus of the franchise.  As I have said before, if it wasn’t for Charles Wang, the Islanders would have been gone from Long Island a long time ago.  I know D.P.’s contract was a mistake and a joke to many at 15yrs-67+M (for a goaltender, a position so susceptible to injury.)  Remember though, that before he fell into the disrepair he is in today, he was an All-Star and world-class goaltender who looked to be getting better.  You cannot fault him for his compeditive nature and how badly he wanted to win and be a member of the Islanders.

With the New York Islanders as an organization that is often ridiculed, why then, did several other “more reputable” teams began to sign players to contact lengths (or dollar amounts) to the one the Isles offered to D.P.?

Chicago with Hossa at 12yrs-63+M

Buffalo with Ville Leino 6yrs-27M, Erhoff at 10yrs-40M 

Florida with Wisniewski at 6yrs-33M

Montreal with Markov at 3yrs-17+M

Philadelphia with Pronger, age 37 at 7yrs-34+M and Bryzgalof at 9yrs-51M.

Vancouver with Luongo at 12yrs-64M 

How ridiculous are those deals?  Was it a joke for the Penguins to lock in Sidney Crosby for 5 yrs at 43+M now that he suffers from debilitating concussion like symptoms on a regular basis?

I feel Garth Snow has done a good job in his tenure as GM thus far.  He has definitely made some mistakes, but when you look at the prospects in the system, you have to be impressed.  How about Poulin, Nilsson, Cizikas, Strome, Sundstrom, Ullstrom, DiBenedetto, deHaan, Kichton, Donovan, Ness, Kabanov, Petrov, Lee and Nelson?  How about adding players like Moulson and Parenteau?

To reiterate, the Arena uncertainty is keeping major the free agents away, and the Isles have still managed to make some noise this season.  Brooklyn is a nice thing to hope for, but its just another rumor right now.  It will be another summer of looking forward to the draft party unless a miracle happens, but I still believe in what should be for the Islanders.

Remember, the Dynasty team took Mr. Torrey 8 years to build.  To those of you who hate ownership and management so much, don’t worry.

It may not matter after 2015.

Isles Notes:

Per Arthur Staple, The Islanders send F Micheal Haley and G Anders Nilsson back to Bridgeport. Al Montoya ready to back up, M. Martin/C. Cizikas back from flu bug.

Prospect Anders Lee’s season ended tonight at Notre Dame. Will he turn pro right away within the Isles system?

Per a team press release on Saturday, The Islanders signed Mike Halmo to an entry level contract on March 10.  Halmo is ranked fifth overall in the OHL in scoring with 84 points.  Halmo had this to say after signing with New York, “There were some other teams in the mix. It came down to the best opportunity for me to play NHL hockey.”

“Halmo, 20, led the Owen Sound Attack and ranked fifth overall in Ontario Hockey League (OHL) scoring with 84 points (40 goals, 44 assists) this season. In his four-year OHL career with Owen Sound, the Waterloo, ON, native has 76 goals and 88 assists for 164 points. He served as captain during his fourth season.
In 26 career OHL playoff games, Halmo has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He helped lead the Attack to an OHL championship in 2011 with 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) in 22 games.”

Mike Halmo continued to make the news when he delivered what most are calling an illegal hit on top prospect, Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, knocking him out of the game on March 10^th.  He required stitches and tried to get up on his own before falling back to the ice where he was seen by the team trainer and doctor.  He will miss the final 3 games of the regular season and be re-evaluated.  The hit may result in a suspension by the league.

In other news:

Per @ dchesnokov, Brooklyn Nets arena will host KHL regular-season games, according to Medvedev/Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports.

The Islanders have the Washington Capitals at home tomorrow and the Philadelphia Flyers at home on Thursday with the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal @7pm on Saturday.

Isles and Devils, Game 2

In Game 2 of the Islanders and Devils trilogy, revenge is on the mind of Marin Brodeur and his New Jersey Devils squad.  The Devils are coming off a 4-1 crushing of the first place New York Rangers, and are two points behind the fifth place Flyers in the standings.  New Jersey would very much like to get one back against the Islanders who outplayed them in the first game of the series.  Rookie Goaltender, Anders Nilsson shut out the devils in game 1.  With that win, the Isles were able to string a couple of wins together, and need to continue that trend into the weekend if they intend to keep their slim playoff chances alive.  What will happen tonight in N.J.?

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey; Niederreiter-Cizikas-Okposo; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo

Defensive Pairings: MacDonald-Hamonic, Streit-Staios, Eaton-Jurcina. Nabokov in goal, Nilsson backing up.

Evgeni Nabokov is in goal for Isles in Newark tonight.

Grabner, Reese healthy scratches.

All three games this season between the Islanders and Devils have been decided by one goal.

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The Isles start the game with the Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey line, who have been starting to be an answer the Isles need of secondary scoring reliability.  Nabokov left alone on the rebound, Kovalchuk scores, Devils make it 1-0.  Islanders are getting out worked for most of the first period.  Isles get some pressure late on a PP chance, but take penalty at end of period.  Shots on goal are even at 6.

The Islanders need a better effort in the second period to get back in the game.  The Devils continue to pressure, Kovalchuk scores again on the PP.  2-0 Devils.  The Islanders effort is there, but they need to step up against the Devils who have dictated the play in the game thus far.  Isles have shown they are not good with spotting multiple goal leads.  Pressure of play evening out half way through the second.  Isles get some good chances, but come up short.  Andrew MacDonald (Ullstrom, Bailey) scores!  2-1 Devils.  Isles continue to fight, making it tough for Brodeur.  Isles are out shooting Devils 19-11, and out hitting them 19-15.

Isles come out strong to start the third period.  Nabokov with some big saves early.  Devils changing momentum.  Devils score on a delayed penalty to Pandolfo, and take the 3-1 lead off a sloppy defensive effort again by the Isles.  Only 1:04 later, Kovalchuk gets another one for the hat trick, 4-1 Devils.  Islanders are chasing their tails, off their game and taking too many men on the ice penalties.  Too many melt downs, mental mistakes for New York.  Is it the Coaching?  Brodeur continues to thwart the Isles attack.  5-1 for N.J. Clarkson was all alone in front of the Isles net.  Where’s the coverage?  The Isles outshoot the Devils 30-20.  Evgeni Nabokov was 15-20 with a .750Sv%.

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Between all the rebounds and uncovered Devils in front of Nabokov, scoring goals have been easy for N.J. tonight. The same issues have plagued the Isles all season long.  Katie Strang notes, Nabokov has given up 12 goals combined over last three starts.  I would say his individual effort has been there, but the defensive help has not.  The Isles are way too soft in their end and they team seems unprepared to me.  I am going to have to point back to the Head Coach on this loss.  The offense is hot and cold.  The team has skill, passion and doesn’t quit, but they are too inconsistent and seem to get frustrated and melt down quickly.

Coach Capuano wants the guys to play with more passion and urgency.  He has once again called out his team’s effort and compete level.  His take is the execution just isn’t there tonight.  While I would agree, it has been in the past.  Why wasn’t it there tonight?  Am I to understand that, all of a sudden, they are just content with getting smashed by the Devils in their home arena?

Per Isles, Capuano clearly not happy with aspects of the game. Said, without naming names, "we can't have passengers."  I don’t think Coach Capuano has been able to foster a winning culture.  The Isles are 28-30-9, still 7 points out and running out of time.

Isles Notes:

The Islanders are 15-7-4 when Andrew MacDonald leads TOI coming into tonight’s game.

Per Tom Gulitti of Fire and Ice, The Islanders blocked 27 Devils' shot attempts in game 1 of the trilogy -- 14 in the 3rd period.

Per Brian Compton, Anders Nilsson is the 5th different goalie to win a game for the this season (Montoya, Nabokov, DiPietro, Poulin).

Per Arthur Staple, Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya were on ice after practice to get work in, although neither is close to returning. 

Per Jeff Capellini, As far as goal-scoring goes Isles Moulson ($3.1 mil) is best value in NHL: D. Sedin ($6.1 mil), Stamkos ($7.5 mil), Kessel ($5.4 mil)

For the Bridgeport Soundtigers, Rhett Rakhshani scores twice on his birthday, Kevin Poulin makes 32 saves in 3-2 win to move into 1st place.  Poulin left off the three stars despite big saves throughout, 32 in all. Romano 3rd star with 2 assists, Mashinter 2nd, Rakhshani 1^st.

The #Pengwhines had a large statue erected to stand in glorious tribute to Mario Lemieux beating former Isles Defensemen, Rich Pilon and Jeff Norton to an epic goal scoring moment.  Classy.

Per Darren Dreger, GM meetings next week. Return of the red-line will be discussed. Video review for goalie int. will draw interest. Concussion and CBA talk as well.

Give some love to Dave Schneider’s band, The Zamboni’s.   http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/04/the-zambonis-captain-free-download/

## I will be seeing to other commitments this weekend, and sadly, missing game 3 vs the Devils, and Sunday's game vs the Rags, but I will at least post a summary of said games, that will hopefully be wins.##

Isles and Devils, Game 1

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey; Niederreiter-Cizikas-Okposo; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive pairings: Not clear as of yet.


Anders Nilsson, aka "Thor" gets the start in goal today with Evgeni Nabokov backing up.

Michael Grabner (flu) and Dylan Reese (flu) most likely will not play.

Aaron Ness recalled on emergency basis, and subsequently returned to Bridgeport with Mark Eaton (lower body injury) able to play today.

The three game series against New Jersey this week will be a good barometer for your New York Islanders on what to expect in a playoff atmosphere.  They are fighting for every point, so every game can be seen as a must win.  Playing their rival New Jersey Devils will surely be an easy series to get up for.  In addition, they can build on the good team effort they gave in Boston.

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In the first period at the sold out NVMC, the Islanders are playing with a lot of energy.  Cizikas, Tavares, Bailey and Ullstrom have caught my attention.  Some good offensive efforts and strong power play time for New York.  Only a goal could make it better.  The Isles are strong on the puck and are playing a chippy game, standing up for each other with physical play.  Face-offs have been an issue lately, as the Islanders have lost in head to head face off totals in 11 of their last 14 games.  The Isles outshot New Jersey 10-6 and put some good shots against Brodeur.  The only negative is that Nilsson wasn’t really tested.  Hope he can stay focused.

The second period starts with an Islander offensive push as J.T. rings another off the post.  Kyle Okposo (Cizikas) power grinds, pushing through with a devil draped over him to put one past Martin Brodeur.  What an effort by K.O.  1-0 Isles.  Niederreiter is playing a tough game against Devils’ Kovalchuk.  If Nino keeps that up and the goals will follow.  Great defensive effort by the Isles, and a Devil shot off the post breaks out P.A. Parenteau whose relentless effort yields a PP for New York.  Strong offensive play continues, Isles moving puck well and draw another penalty to give them a 5-3 opportunity for 1:08.  Devils’ player closes his hand on the puck, Officials make sure Isles miss out on penalty shot chance.  Brodeur is keeping his team in the game.  Salvador slashes Moulson, bloodying his chin, skates into locker room.  Another missed call, terrible play by officials once again.  Isles fail to score on the chances.  If their strong play doesn’t convert soon, it may backfire by keeping N.J. in the game and giving the Devils confidence.  Good PK to end the period for N.Y.  Matt Moulson is still off the bench.  Isles are out shooting N.J. by a margin of 8-6 in period and 18-12 in the game so far.  Nilsson looks calm and cool in net.  Islanders will have a 1:45 PP to start the third period.

Matt Moulson is on the ice to start the third period with 10 fresh, new stitches!  Staios continues to show a renewed Isles attitude and takes exception to a Devil taking liberties against Nilsson.  4 on 3 PP.  Broduer is the difference for New Jersey so far.  Isles are 0-4 on PP so far today.  Parenteau gets slashed across his hand and skates to the bench in obvious pain, another non-call by the officials.  Devils are applying pressure, but continue to play a sloppy game in all zones.  The Devils net is empty with 1:18 to go.  A time out is called by New Jersey.  Isles out shoot Devils 25-24 and stay focused to hold on in regulation.

Isles win 1-0.

Head Coach, Jack Capuano says that team defense was a key to the win. Says team needs to have "defense first mentality."

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The trifecta.

Isles win 1-0 in a complete team effort.  Anders Nilsson’s NHL debut is a 24 save shut out.  A win in the (2-5-2) alternate black jersey!

The rebuild has yielded organizational depth.  These type of games prove that.  Signing a top Forward and top Defensemen (Goodness willing) will put this team over the top and make them a competitive playoff team next season.

This is the way the Isles need to continue to play against quality opponents and the playoffs are a distinct possibility.  Sticking up for one another, winning faceoffs (23-23 in the game), playing defensively, moving the puck, finishing checks and playing good defense will get the job done.  The Isles get 3 days off and play the devils in NJ, then back home, and then face the Rangers.  Want pressure, you have it and there is still a long way to go.  28-29-9 with 65 points will get them 5 points out of a playoff spot in the East.  Ground will be lost in the next three days off, but the Isles should only worry about what they can create for themselves.  Win and stay in.

Evolve or die. 

Lets finish the rebuild and put the bad stuff behind us.  I know it isn’t likely, but lets get behind them as fans and see where it goes.

Isles Notes:

@drive4fiveNYI reports that “Nilsson is the first goalie in Islanders history to have a shutout in his first win.”

With 59 points, P.A. Parenteau has points on 39.6% of the Isles goals this season and has 44 assists.

Per Eric Hornick, the Islanders now have 4 players with 10 + goals each of last 4 yrs: Moulson and Tavares are the obvious guys. Nielsen & Bailey are the others.

P.A. Parenteau assists on 29.5% of Isles goals (44/149) -- highest percentage in NHL.

Per Brian Compton, John Tavares has factored into 43.2 percent of all Isles goals this season.

Anders Lee has his team-leading 16th goal of the season for Notre Dame tonight.

Final score today from OHL: Niagara 13, Erie 4. Ryan Strome had 5 goals and an assist.

Islanders Handle Bruins

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey; Niederreiter-Cizikas-Okposo; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive pairings: Streit-Staios; Hamonic-MacDonald; Eaton-Jurcina.

Evgeni Nabokov is in goal with Anders Nilsson backing up.

Nino Niederreiter will be in for Michael Grabner, who is out sick.

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Today, Your New York Islanders were on target against the mighty Boston Bruins. 

They defeated the second place Bruins team by the score of 3-2 at TD Garden in Boston.  Evgeni Nabokov was the difference again for New York going 32/34 with .941 Sv% and improving to 10-4-1 in his last 15 games.  When asked about the win, Nabokov told NHL.com, "Well I think it's pretty obvious right? Any two points for us right now are important and this is no different," said Nabokov. "The next game is going to be important and then the game after that. We are in a position where every single game is important."

The Islanders looked good on offense and on special teams as well.  A resurgent Josh Bailey, Matt Moulson and John Tavares scored for the Isles.  You have to love the energy Casey Cizikas has brought to the line up so far.  He is playing like he wants to stay around for a while and may just be earning an opportunity to do so.  Nino Niederreiter continues to play hard but has stuggled to find his game.  All four lines played well and the suspect defense looked much better in todays effort, despite being outshot 34-25.

Travis Hamonic plays hard, and still mixes it up despite his badly broken nose and facemask.  P.A. Parenteau contines to play with a firey spirit and battles for his team mates throughout the game.  He is even vocal from the bench where he can be seen shouting to the officals in response to an unfair play against his team mates. While former Islander, Brian Rolston was on the ice for Boston, his team mate Mike Mottau was a scratched for 2^nd time in three games since joining the team.

The Islanders are barely in the playoff hunt at 7 points behind the eighth place Winnipeg Jets with 15 games remaining.  Starting tomorrow, the Isles will start a trilogy against the rival New Jersey Devils.  Sundays game is home @3 p.m., Thursdays game is in N.J. @ 7 p.m. and Saturdays is back at the NVMC @ 7 p.m.

"Out-Muscled"

The Islanders are currently 26-28-9, 61 pts and sit in 14^th place in Eastern Conference.  Tonight, they visit the Philadelphia Flyers at 34-21-7 with 75 pts, 6^th place in East.  Philadelphia is 4-5-1 in their last 10 and struggling to win at home at 14-10-5, tied for 3^rd worst in the league.  The Islanders have beaten the Flyers twice in the last two games played in the Wells Fargo Center, they lead the season series: 2-1-1 of 6.  What will happen tonight?

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau, Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey, Grabner-Cizikas-Okposo, Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive pairings: MacDonald-Hamonic, Streit-Staios, Eaton-Jurcina.

Evgeni Nabokov in goal, Anders Nilsson will be backing up.

Dylan Reese has been activated off IR.

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Your New York Islanders came out with jump and put pressure on the Flyers early.  Josh Bailey made it 1-0 Isles just 1:35 into the period.  Casey Cizikas and Mark Streit assisted.  For Cizikas, its his first NHL point.  The Flyers responded with an even strength and power play goal to take a 2-1 lead in the game.  Philadelphia out shooting New York 10-8.

Just :50 Into the second period, Josh Bailey (Nielsen and Streit) scored his second of the game to make it 2-2.  Flyers answered with two quick goals (:39 apart) and take the lead 4-2.  There were two goals tonight against Nabokov that he should have been stopped, but he cant single handedly win every game for the Isles.  The Flyers ahead in shots, 16-12 at the mid point of the second and outplayed the Isles.  Flyers continued to control the period.  Do you think Coach Laviolette’s decision to call a time out worked in settling down his team?  The shot count has the Flyers ahead 21-14.


Flyers continued where they left off and put one past Nabokov to make the score 5-2.  Islanders look rattled and unable to gain composure.  Where is the coaching?  The Flyers continued to dominate play, Nabokov making some key saves for New York to keep them in the game.  Kyle Okposo (Cizikas and Jurcina) scored to bring the Isles within 2 at 5-3.  A second point tonight for Casey Cizikas.  The Flyers starting to feel the pressure from the Islanders offensive push as the Islanders find some life.  A late PP is wasted by the Isles.  Islanders pull Nabokov with 2:00 remaining.  Flyers scored an empty net goal with :21 remaining.  6-3 Philadelphia, the final.

The Flyers out shot the Islanders 29–24 for the game.

Evgeni Nabokov was 24/29 with a .828 Sv%.

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I liked the play of Josh Bailey (2g) and Casey Cizikas (2a) tonight.  Marty Reasoner and Jay Pandolfo were virtually invisible on the grinding line.  Gillies and Haley are clearly needed there. The teams frustration is evident and they seem like they have a fragile confidence when adversity appears.

The Islanders started out strong in the first two periods but were eventually out played throughout the night in all the fundamental areas of the game.  At times they made attempts to regain control, but it seems as if they weren’t able to adjust consistently.  The Isles made mistakes and tonight, the Flyers exploited them.  Once again, they spotted their opponent a multi-goal lead, and couldn’t erase the deficit.  The Isles were out muscled with only Martin (no disrespect to M.M. here) in the line up while Gillies and Haley remain in Bridgeport.

Coach Capuano feels the same way I do: "They out-muscled us. They were stronger on their sticks."

2 down, 1 to go until zero hour.  Boston is next.  8^th spot in the east is slipping away.

Isles Notes:

Arthur Staple:  Nino Niederreiter on sitting out again: "Of course I'm happy and proud to be an Islander all year. But I'm ------ off that I can't play."

@7thWoman “Matt Martin leads the NHL w/ 293 hits. 68 more than the NHL’s next top hitter.”

G Anders Nilsson was named Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the month for February with a 6-0-1 record, 1.26 GAA, .955 SV%, 1 SO.

I wonder if Al Montoya is still feeling effects of concussion from a cheap shot from Evander Kane that went unpunished by NHL? Isles calling his latest scratch an upper body injury.  Montoya hasn’t been same since Kane collision before Christmas. It really may have negated his chance at an NHL comeback. I really hope it is not case.

Dee Karl RT @NHLhistorygirl Random NHL facts: “It took the Islanders 8 years to evolve from dead-last expansion team to a Cup dynasty.”  Food for thought.


I wont be around at game time on Saturday for the game against the Bruins.  Look for me to post an update later on in the weekend.

Ovi Capitializes Against Isles

New Forward Lines:  Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau; Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey; Grabner-Cizikas-Okposo; Martin-Reasoner-Pandolfo.

Defensive Pairs:  Streit-Staios; MacDonald-Hamonic; Eaton-Jurcina.

Evgeni Nabokov will get the start again with Al Montoya backing up.

Josh Bailey is back from a 2 game absence with back spasms.

Steve Staios is back from a lower body injury.

Nino Niederreiter is a healthy scratch for tonight's game.

Dylan Reese and Rick DiPietro are out with long-term injuries.

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The 13^th place Islanders at 26-28-8 with 60 pts, visit Dale Hunter and his 9^th place Washington Capitals who sport a record of 31-26-5 with 67 pts tonight.  New York is currently 8 pts out of a playoff spot in the eastern conference before tonight’s game, having gone 4-6-0 in their last 10.  The Isles are 2-0-0 against the Capitals this season with two games remaining, including tonight.  It is a must win game for New York.  Garth Snow didn’t make any major moves at the deadline yesterday.  Some would say he couldn’t. 

I would like to buy into the school of thought that no value could be had in the trades available to benefit the Islanders, so he is showing his current roster he is confident they could make the playoff as they stand.  While it is possible, I thought they needed a change at forward and defense by the deadline.  Hopefully, this will come in the form of solid prospects emerging from Bridgeport like Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald have been able to do over the past couple of seasons.  Casey Cizikas and David Ullstrom can make their presence felt with the opportunity available. 

As I mentioned previously, how the Isles perform in this week against the Capitals, Flyers and Bruins (now with Rolston and Mottau) will determine their 2012 play off fate.  Three loses will spell their doom while three wins may very well start a run to catapult them into the top eight of the eastern conference.

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The Islanders start out the first period being outplayed by the Capitals, being out shot 13-3.  Josh Bailey makes it 1-0, Isles with assists by Nielsen and MacDonald.  The Caps press and trap the Isles in their own zone throughout most of the period, but Nabokov staying strong for New York.  The Isles PK playing much better thus far in the game.


Islanders are 14-1-6 when leading after 1^st period.  The Ullstrom-Nielsen-Bailey line is playing very well.  I like the way Grabner and the Hamonic-A Mac pair is doing as well.  Islanders look like a different team this period.  Nabokov still solid.  Isles are 4-4 on the PK.  Isles out shooting the Caps 12-7 in the second.

Washington 4-20-2 when trailing after 2 periods.  Matt Moulson (Staios and Parenteau) scores 2:30 into the third to make it 2-0 Islanders.  Islanders make a mistake in their defensive zone and Washington takes advantage to make it 2-1 with less than 3:00 remaining.  Washington is buzzing and Nabokov remains focused.  Capitals take their time out to draw up a play with :31.8 seconds remaining with Neuvirth on the bench.  Capitals make the most of their opportunity and score at the :25 mark, game is tied at 2-2.  Weak defensive play undoes a good Isles effort yet again.

Game will go to O.T.

Nabokov was 31/33 .939 Sv% and Neuvirth made 21/23 .913 Sv% in regulation.

Alex Ovechkin wins it in O.T. 

Isles hang on to a point, but give away 2.  I have to start hanging these breakdowns, weak defensive play and player selection on Coach Capuano. 

Washington Capitals win the game 3-2. 


Arthur Staple: Travis Hamonic: "It’s cliche but it’s part of the process, learning how to win. Don’t know how many times we have to learn it the hard way."


1 down, 2 to go until zero hour.

Isles Notes: 

Frans Nielsen is playing in his 300th NHL game tonight.