Isles Hold On To Beat Lightning

Head Coach, Jack Capuano was behind the bench this afternoon for the New York Islanders after having surgery for kidney stones that caused him to miss the season opener on Saturday. Some 15,322 fans came out to see the Isles play the Tamapa Bay Lightning at the NVMC. Even Commisioner Bettman was in attendance.

Forwards

26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 21 Kyle Okposo
40 Michael Grabner - 51 Frans Nielsen - 24 Brad Boyes
41 David Ullstrom - 10 Keith Aucoin - 13 Colin McDonald
17 Matt Martin - 16 Marty Reasoner - 53 Casey Cizikas

Defensemen

37 Brian Strait - 2 Mark Streit
47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
52 Joe Finley - 7 Matt Carkner

Goaltenders

20 Evgeni Nabokov - Starter
39 Rick DiPietro

Scratches: Martinek, Hickey, Boulton. Casey Cizikas in for Boulton.

 

The New York Islanders came out ready to play and applied good pressure early, including two stopages for fighting, not even 5 seconds into the contest. Frans Nielsen looked good early and came close to getting the opening goal. Casey Cizikas looked good as well, but saw only about 5 minutes of ice time.

Michael Grabner scored on a sweet breakaway off a nice pass by Mark Streit to put the Isles up,1-0. Matt Moulson went into the locker room after falling onto his shoulder, but came out shortly after. Matt Martin was sprung from the penalty box, takes a John Tavares pass and makes it 2-0 Islanders. Okposo moves in with an odd man rush and looks as though he is making a pass, but buries it for a 3-0 New York lead.

In the third period, a Keith Aucion give and go to David Ullstrom allows Ullstrom to put a sick shot over Linback's right shoulder, short side to make it 4-0 Isles. These guys are a great combination. The Lightning would rally and reduce the Isles lead to 1 at 4-3 with over 11 minutes to play in the third period. Coach Capuano called a time out to chance the tempo of the game and it worked. During this time, the Islanders still forced offensive opportunities, but came up short. They continued to pressure Tampa Bay and in the end, were able to hold on and win the game, improving their record to 1-1-0-0.

Per islanders.nhl.com, "Aucoin, who was 8-for-10 Saturday in the faceoff circle, won 9-of-12 draws Monday. The line of Aucoin, Ullstrom and Colin McDonald combined for 11 shots on goal while averaging 10:53 of ice time between the three of them.

Following the game, Nabokov said that the win was huge for the Islanders, especially with the team heading on a five-game, eight-day road trip beginning Thursday at Toronto."

The Isles outshot Tampa by a 45-26 margin. While the PP was only 1 for 7, the PK was 3 for 3 against a dangerous TB PP unit. Nabokov was solid again.  I thought it was a breakout game for Martin, Grabner and Okposo. Tavares, Mouson and Boyes looked good as well. Credit Ullstrom for showing he belongs and I am gaining more respect for Keith Aucion every shift he plays. He works hard and is a great roleplayer. Strait was pretty good again. So far, all of Garth Snows "bargin bin" waiver pick ups are working out. I just need to see Hickey play, and soon. Depth is a good thing everyone. The "sexy" player acquisitions will come in time. Enjoy the little things for now.

John Tavares was named the games first star while Matt Martin was given second star honors.

 

 

Matt Martin, "we're sick of not making the playoffs"

 

Isles Notes:

Per @NHLhistorygirl, "I don't think you ever really get over that fear [of losing] and I don't think you ever really should get over it." - Denis Potvin

"It's a seven-game series. If we win four of them, then I'll talk about how good we are." - Denis Potvin, 1980

"We'll beat [Isles] in four games." - Leafs Harold Ballard prior to first round of 1981 Cup playoffs.

"The Islanders aren't champions, they're chumpions." - Leafs Harold Ballard, prior to 1981 first round against Isles, where Leafs lost 3-0.

Sound Tigers Notes:

1/20

Sound Tigers score w/ 29.0 left in 3rd period on PP, Combs puts rebound past Dainton to avoid shutout, final score 4-1 Springfield.

NHL Notes:

 

Per Brian Compton, "Vinny Lecavalier gets ovation from Coliseum crowd. Playing in his 1,000th NHL game today."

Isles Lose Season Opener, But "Not Going Away."

 

The Islanders opened the 2013 NHL season to a boisterous sell-out crowd of pumped up fans.  The house system introduced the roster of players in uniform.  Cheers could be heard for crowd favorites like Matt Moulson and John Tavares, while Rick DiPietro heard from his detractors the loudest, but still skated down the length of the line up and tapped each  and every one of his teammates.  When the fog cleared and the lights came on to a chant of "Lets go Islanders," it was Game On.

Nabokov was good early and stayed that way, while the rest of the Isles look sloppy to say the least.  A plethora of giveaways and too much time in their own zone.  Bad changes continue to create problems.  Grabner with some good pressure, his efforts are evident that he is trying to make things happen.  New D, Strait looks comfortable out there, like he's been here forever.  Ullstrom and Martin are working well, Aucoin sound so far.  JT and MM are clicking in the 1st period.  The game is scoreless with NJ out-shooting NY by an 8-3 margin.

Evgeni Nabokov started the 2nd period right where he left it, in the zone while Hamonic and MacDonald are in sync defensively for New York.  PK starting to mesh and Okposo making big defensive play getting crowd back into it. The Isles start to make things happen.  Boyes and Granber seem as if they are starting to gel.  Another bad change creates 3 on 1 and a Devils goal.  1-0 NJ.  Period ends with Isles buzzing off NJ turn over, but fail to score.  NJ pulls away in shots, 21-11.  Isles need to refocus and get on target, its only 1-0.

Grabner comes close again with Brodeur on his back to start the 3rd.  He has been really good, but just like all of last season, Grabner needs to finish consistently.  Hard work will only get you so far.  The newly assembled defense had some trip ups, but looked pretty good considering their limited time together in a brief mini camp to start the season.  Offensively, the Isles haven' gotten anything going.  The Power Play clicks and Travis Hamonic wrists one, top shelf over Brodeur.  Game tied at 1-1.  The Devils get it back, 2-1 NJ.  Aucion continues to show his veteran savvy and why he has been around so long.  He looks really good on the PP and is a good fit thus far.  The team PP looks improved in my opinion.  Isles pull Nabokov, but come up empty.

Evgeni Nabokov was great and was named the games first star.  Although they did some things well, the Islanders never really found their offensive rhythm or their sustained attack.  They let the Devils dictate the slow, defensive style of play and were beat by Brodeur's solid effort.  Credit the Isles for forcing Brodeur to play at his best for the Devils to win. 

Eric Hornick mentioned, it was New York's fewest shots in season opener since they had 18 in Washington in 2003.  They were 30th in the 5 on 5 game last season and that needs to improve in a big way.  Also, credit them for not getting down and playing a more even game vs. the eastern conference champions.

 

But they need to do better. 

 

Weight: I liked our vigor comiing back, we're not going away.

 

Isles Notes:

The Islanders play the Tampa Bay Lightning at the NVMC on Monday at 1pm.

Sound Tigers Notes:

Sound Tigers WIN! Scott Campbell's first AHL goal proves to be a game-winner, Sound Tigers beat B-Sens 4-2!



 

Isles Claim Strait From Penguins

The New York Islanders have officially claimed D, Brian Strait off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 25 yr old Strait has appeared in 220 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  He has 8 and 32 for 40 pts and a +46 rating with 182 PIMs.  In 12 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was 0 and 1 for 1 pt.  Strait was selected in the 3rd round (65th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Strait spent two seasons with the United States National Development Team in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and in International play, Strait played for the U.S. National Team at the 2008 World Junior Championships and the 2006 Under-18 World Championships, winning gold as team captain in 2006.

 

 

The Islanders, Garth Snow has added depth and missing pieces from the waiver wire thus far this week when applicable free agent interests go sour.  Especially with Visnovsky's projected absense for at least another two weeks.  Call it dumpster diving if you want, but Snow is addressing team needs with low risk acquistions that he sees a value in as they become available.

 

If these acquistions dont pan out, no big deal.  If they do, the Isles could have another Matt Moulson or Michael Grabner on the roster.  The salary cap will make more quality players available from cap strapped teams as the shortened season goes on via trade.  And trades will happen from the Islanders side if tenured prospects or relied upon vets fail to live up to their projected skill levels as the team pushes forward in development.

 

 

Call the 2013 NHL season a live audition for the future product the Isles will want to introduce into the next stage of the plan.

 

 

The New York Islanders open the 2013 season tomorrow night against the New Jersey  Devils at the NVMC at 7pm.

 

Isles Notes:

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo, Grabner-Nielsen-Boyes, Ullstrom-Cizikas-McDonald, Boulton-Reasoner-Martin-Aucoin

Per Arthur Staple, "Keith Aucoin splitting 4th-line C duties with M. Reasoner in Isles practice. Otherwise, lines and D-pairs the same."

"Isles announce that they have suspended Lubomir Visnovsky. Move to get to 23-man roster limit."

"Jack Capuano says still no timetable for returns of J. Bailey (knee), J. Joensuu (groin)."

 

B.D Gallof, " (Isles) Now at 23-man roster with D Brian Strait off waivers from Pens. 13 F, 8 D, 2 G."

Per NHLhistorygirl, "1973: Isles defeated Bruins, 9-7, at Boston Garden. The highlight of their inaugural season, most reporters thought score was a typo."

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Per Michael Fornabio, "John Persson, Matt Watkins, Marc Cantin all on the ice in regular -- at least, non-non-contact -- jerseys. Couple of lines w/4 players.  In addition to today's full group, Scott Pellerin said Kirill Kabanov could be back to full contact as early as Monday."
 

NHL Notes:

Per Bob McKenzie, "NHL teams must submit official 23-man roster to league office by 5 pm ET today. Expected to be quite a few underage jrs on those rosters.  Underagers can play 5 games without burning first year of their entry-level contract. So many are on 5 GP - not team's 1st 5 games- trial."

 

Isles Claim Keith Aucoin Off Waivers

 

Arthur Staple said it.  "Also, I'd expect Isles to keep mining the waiver wire, perhaps for an extra forward. Only have 13 healthy now, including R. Strome."

They did it.  The Islanders claim C Keith Aucoin off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.  At age 34, Aucoin was 10 and 27 for 37 pts and a +7 rating for the AHL Marlies in 37 GP this season.  Aucion has compiled 233 and 581 for 814 pts and a +83 rating in his storied AHL career.  He has been named an All-Star 6 times, won back to back Calder Cups in '09 and '10 for Hershey and AHL's MVP in '09.  His career NHL numbers are 11 and 26 for 37 pts and a +7 rating.

 

 

 

 

Isles roster is now at 24 heading into cutdown day on Fri., with 2 injuries.

Islanders Notes:

Islanders have told Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart that they are going back to their JR clubs.

 

Islanders send D Jon Landry back to Bridgeport.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

Congratulations to Nino Niederreiter and Matt Donovan.  They have been named All-Stars and will represent the BST in the 2013 AHL All-Star game.

The Blue & White Scrimmage

The Islanders met the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the Blue & White scrimmage tonight in front of an estimated 2,500 fans (Arthur Staple).  Team Blue was made up of a mostly Isles roster while Team White was comprised of the Sound Tigers with Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart.  It was a tightly contested game, going back and forth on the score board.  The game ended in regulation by the score of 5-3 White, and a final score of 6-5 win for the Blue Islanders team, winning the shootout 3-0.  Nabokov and DiPietro switched nets half way through the contest to play with both squads.

While the Sound Tigers have gone 38 games into the season and have their team chemistry and routines in tact, the Islanders have only been together a couple of days and will only get a couple more until Saturday's opener vs. the New Jersey Devils.  Special teams were the difference in the game and need to be a focus of Isles camp.

For the Sound Tigers, I thought Nino Neiderreiter, Matt Donovan, Aaron Ness, Chad Costello, Johan Sundstrom, Ty Wishart and Griffin Reinhart stood out.  I also liked the play of Mike Halmo and Brett Gallant.  Jack Combs and Scott Campbell contributed in a big way.

For the Islanders, Matt Moulson, David Ullstrom, Kyle Okposo, Casey Cizikas, Colin McDonald and Jon Landry.  Newcomers, Thomas Hickey and Joe Finley played really well.

Rick DiPietro started the game strong making some big saves, including quite a few sprawling saves going side to side in the shootout.  Evgeni Nabokov looked comfortable, composed and ready for the season.


Per islanders.nhl.com:

Blue Team

Forwards
26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 21 Kyle Okposo
40 Michael Grabner - 51 Frans Nielsen - 24 Brad Boyes
41 David Ullstrom - 53 Casey Cizikas - 13 Colin McDonald
17 Matt Martin - 16 Marty Reasoner - 36 Eric Boulton

Defensemen
2 Mark Streit - 4 Radek Martinek
47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic
14 Thomas Hickey - 7 Matt Carkner
52 Joe Finley - 43 Jon Landry

White Team

Forwards
22 Nino Niederreiter - 29 Brock Nelson - 10 Ryan Strome
42 Brandon DeFazio - 28 Johan Sundstrom - 16 Sean Backman
40 Mike Halmo - 4 Scott Campbell - 20 Blair Riley
44 Brett Gallant - 18 Chad Costello - 5 Jack Combs

Defensemen
46 Matt Donovan - 6 Ty Wishart
27 Aaron Ness - 8 Nathan McIver
72 Griffin Reinhart - 2 Dallas Jackson

 

 

Per Neil Sheely ,Lubomir Visnovsky said he looks forward to reporting to the NYI after tending to "personal reasons" which have kept him from reporting.  Matias Strozyk adds, Visnovsky "I've asked permission to play for Slovan for the next 2 weeks. If I don't get it, I'll just practice in Bratislava." - pluska.sk, "I still can't fly, need to stay for at least 2 wks. My son has health issues. Nothing serious, but recovery will take a while."

NHL Notes:

 

Here is a list of available free agents via NHL.com.

Other Notes:

Today marks the 112th Birthday of Frank Zamboni. The Inventor of the modern ice resurfacing machine.



 

Isles Add Hickey On D, Suspend Bailey & Joensuu, Lubo News

The New York Islanders claim, D Thomas Hickey off waivers from Kings.  Hickey, 23, is a former 1st round (4th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was 3 and 9 for 12 points in 33 games with Manchester this season.

 

Hickey represented Canada in the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships for Gold medals in both campaigns.  He served as Captain in 2009.

 

The Islanders announced that Josh Bailey & Jesse Joensuu have been suspended due to injuries incured overseas. They will come off of suspension once they pass physicals.  Per Larry Brooks, "Clear DiPietro from injured list over summer. Suspend Bailey for injury playing in Europe. Nickel, meet dime."  Point taken.

 

Per Dmitry Chesnokov, Citing the MOU with the NHL, the KHL did not allow Lubomir Visnovsky to sign with Slovan until the end of the season.  The KHL says they will meet with NHL reps to figure out a solution, but for now he cannot play in the KHL and was unable to play today as a result of the matter.

 

Per Brett Cyrgalis, “I see Lubo playing for the NYI, but the timing of that, I don’t know.” - Visnovsky's agent.  Arthur Staple adds, "Furthering reports, Visnovsky has a personal issue to tend to in Slovakia. May take 2-3 weeks to resolve. Could report to Isles after that."

 

 

Isles Notes:

 

Slight change on Isles lines 2day: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo, Grabner-Nielsen-Boyes, Ullstrom-Cizikas-Strome-McDonald, Martin-Reasoner-Boulton.

 

Strome now working as 4th F with Ullstrom-Cizikas-McDonald. Rest of lines the same. New D Joe Finley out for practice.

 

Joe Finley wore #52 today and Thomas Hickey will wear #14.

 

Per Eric Hornick abreviates the television network schedule for your New York Islanders.

Joe Finley's message to Isles fans: I'm excited to be here and looking forward to fitting in and being a part of the team.

 

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

 

Per nhlfreeagents.com, New York Islanders reassigned (D) Ty Wishart to BST.

Bridgeport SoundTigers Released (D) Daniel Maggio from Pro Tryout Contract.

Per Michael Fornabio, AHL goes back to touch-up icing on Friday. Consistency w/NHL.

 

 

NHL Notes:

 

Per Katie Strang, NHL and NHLPA have reached agreement on accelerated compliance buyouts. Will carry full cap charge for 2013 season.  The hit will then come off the salary cap beginning this summer and the buyout will then revert to 2/3 spread out for remaining years.  So in Redden's case, team pays him 100% of salary owed this year. Full cap hit minus $ saved.

Isles Defense and Camp Notes

 

On the same day that Lubo Visnovski was on the team bus with Slovan Bratislava in the KHL, instead of reporting to Islanders training camp by the manatory 10 a.m. deadline, the Islanders brought back Radek Martinek with a one year contract.  Martinek appeared in 453 regular season and 9 playoff games with his original stint as an Islander that lasted 9 seasons.  A stable and solidly positional defensemen, Martinek wasn't previously resigned by the Islanders due his problematic injury history.  Last season, Martinek was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, but suited up for just 7 games, scoring once with a -3 rating due to injury.  As a depth acquisition, it will be a good signing if he can remain healthy and contribute more that the 87 he has played in his last 3 seasons as an NHL pro.  The Islanders selected Martinek in the eight round, 228th overall of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

 

 

Islanders claim Buffalo Defensemen, Joe Finley, a former first-round draft pick (27th overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.  Finley is listed at 6-8, 247 pounds.  B.D. Gallof mentions, Lindy Ruff said in Sabres training camp in 2011 that Joe Finley is the second-best big man skater he's ever seen behind Tyler Myers.  Ruff adds, "He skates very well, he’s able to handle the puck, and his first pass has been good. When you have that size and that reach, you’ve got an automatic advantage over a lot of players.”

 

 

 

The Islanders will have a blue and white scrimmage vs. BST on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum. Free admission/parking and game will be streamed. 

 

Per Arthur Staple, Some more info for Weds Isles scrimmage: $1 soda, hot dogs and popcorn and 25% off all items in the team store.

 

Isles Notes:

Today at Isles training camp:

Forwards: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo, Grabner-Nielsen-Boyes, Ullstrom-Cizikas-McDonald, Martin-Reasoner-Strome-Boulton.

Per Katie Strang, Told Visnovsky will NOT be reporting to Islanders camp this morning for "personal reasons." Still unclear whether he stays in KHL.  Team is within rights to suspend player who doesn't show up for camp. KHL has said repeatedly they'd respect agreement w/NHL.  Via Bill Daly on Visnovsky: "The KHL has repeatedly said that they will not permit him to play, so I guess we will have to see what happens."  If the issue cant be resolved between NHL and KHL, Strang adds, IIHF has not yet received any official letter of complaint from the NHL on Visnovsky issue. That is likely next step if not resolved.

Arthur Staple adds, NHL's Bill Daly via email: "(Visnovsky) will not be allowed to play in the KHL without the Isles consent."  And Isles will not be granting Visnovsky consent to play in KHL.

@FredPoulin98, $3M salary/ $5.6M cap hit --Visnovsky has been paid $25M last 4 yrs; would "only" be due abt $1.8 for this short ssn.

Per Arthur Staple, The Islanders place Defensemen, Ty Wishart on waivers to make room at camp for Joe Finley.

Camp opened yesterday and the Islanders have officially recalled Cizikas, Hamonic, Landry, C. McDonald, Ullstrom and Wishart from the Sound Tigers.  Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart have officially been recalled from their junior teams.

Per Arthur Staple, Lines for first Isles practice of '13: Moulson-Tavares-Okposo, Ullstrom-Nielsen-Boyes, McDonald-Cizikas-Strome, Martin-Reasoner-Boulton.

D pairs: MacDonald-Hamonic, Streit-Martinek (wearing No. 4), Landry-Carkner, Reinhart-Wishart. Nabokov, DiPietro in goal.

Injuries:  Grabner (abs), Bailey (knee), Joensuu (groin) not on ice.  Michael Grabner (abs) went for further tests after physical, checked out fine.

Snow on Niederreiter: "It's an opportunity for him to get quality minutes (in BPT). It's more conducive for him to be there at this point."

Jack Capuano concerned about PK with Bailey out. Says more about why Cizikas is here -- filling roles, not just who's playing best in BPT.

Per NHLhistorygirl, On this date in 1988, Isles Denis Potvin became the first defenseman in NHL history to score 300 career goals.

Per Bob McKenzie, former Islander, Mike Mottau's signed a two-way deal with TOR that pays him in $850K in NHL, $300K in AHL although he has $225K minor league guarantee. 850/300 are 82 games.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

1/13

BST vs. ALB

Forwards - Halmo-Nelson-Niederreiter, Persson-Sundstrom-Backman, DeFazio-Campbell-Riley, Combs-Costello-Gallant.

Defensive pairings - Hill-Maggio, Donovan-Jackson, Ness-McIver.

Matt Watkins out of the lineup today. Defenseman Dan Maggio will make AHL & BST debut, DeFazio/McIver/Riley wear assistant captain "A"s.

Sound Tigers without D-men Hamonic, Wishart & Landry, forwards Cizikas, McDonald & Ullstrom, all recalled by Isles for training camp.

Sound Tigers WIN! @SquatchDonovan nets game-winner w/ 1:16 left in third per, @thelnino25 scores twice, Costello/Ness w/ 3 pts each in 5-4 W.

Joe Bondi‏@Knight_of_Cups_

@TheSoundTigers Donovan and Nino came out 2 play! Maybe showing why they wanted call up 2 camp. Big win & great game by everyone. #BST. 

 

 

NHL Notes:

Per Erik Erlendsson, FYI, roster deadline is 3 p.m. on Friday to submit to the league, meaning noon Thursday is deadline to put players on waivers to send to AHL.

Per Neil Smith, the NHL Entry Draft June 30 at Newark's Prudential Center, Trading Deadline is April 3rd and Free Agency begins July 5, 2013 this year.

Per Nick Kypreous, Two biggest names not reporting for NHL training camp today remain Canadiens PK Subban and Stars Jamie Benn. Told both not close to deals.

Per Ryan Pinder, 114 players deleted today from AHL rosters, as NHL training camps began... At least by my count on the league's transaction page!

Pricing for NHL Center Ice will be $49.99 for the season.  Not free as first speculated.