The New York Islanders
looked to skate away with huge romp after scoring four straight goals against
the Tampa Bay Lightning. The problem was they stepped off the gas pedal and
Tampa came roaring back with three unanswered goals in a space of what – eight minutes?
After Islanders head coach
Jack Capuano called for time only then did New York find their verve again as
they held off the Lightning for 4-3 win for a 1-1-0 record in this young NHL
season.
Playing their second consecutive
home game, Michael Grabner, Matt martin, Kyle Okposo, and David Ullstrom scored
for New York. They outshot the visitors 45-26 but it took the goaltending of
Evgeni Nabokov to help secure the first win. Nabokov stopped 23-26 shots for
his first win of the year.
Tampa came roaring back
and gave me ulcers when Martin St. Louis scored in the third period. Five
minutes later, Benoit Pouliot somehow found the puck in the scrum in front of
Nabokov to flick it in making it 4-2. That’s when the “uh oh” changed to “oh,
crap”. When Steve Stamkos’ snap shot made it 4-3 who didn’t think this was
going to be a meltdown of infamous proportions?
If there was ever a timely
timeout then the one Capuano called after Tampa’s third straight goal was it. The
Islanders buckled down from that point forward, reversing the momentum back in
their favor.
What I liked was the
Islanders aggression in front of the Lightning’s net that made it difficult for
them to skate out on offense.
I though that New York’s
defense in the first period where they fought off two Lightning power plays was
huge! That makes them 5-5 in two games in penalty killings.
I like the line of Keith
Aucoin, Colin McDonald and Ullstrom who combined for 11 shots on goal. The trio
averaged 10:53 of ice time meaning they played well enough to stay in the game.
Now’s the tough part after
the home stand – five games on an eight-day road trip. This reminds me of the
last NBA season that was cut short by a strike. Lots of games with little rest.
Hope no one gets seriously injured. As for this season, I, a long-suffering Islanders fan, hope too that things turn around. One thing at a time, a winning season as a send off to Nassau Veterans. I'm a little greedy in asking for a playoff slot. Go, Isles!
Next up – the Toronto
Maple Leafs.
New York Islanders
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 - 39
Rick DiPietro
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