NY Islanders Game 1: vs the New Jersey Devils, 1-2

New Jersey's Patrick Ellas celebrates the game winning goal of teammate David Clarkson as it beats NY Islanders goalkeeper Evgeni Nabokov. Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images.

New York Islanders 1 vs. New Jersey Devils 2

I wonder if the first game is an omen for the season. New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano was unavailable for medical reasons and I immediately thought of the Houston Rockets’ Kevin McHale. Can the Isles, fragile as they are, play well without their coach? Can they start off well to get into a groove?

It’s only the first game of the season but the Islanders labored to get a shot in. On the few times they did, they made it count as they leveled the match 1-1 with the tough New Jersey Devils. Unfortunately, about a minute later, they conceded a goal when David Clarkson rifled a shot past Evgeni Nabokov who stopped 26 of 28 shots fired at him.

The Nassau, in its last year as the home ice for the Islanders was packed but as much as the crowd tried to will the Isles to score first, it was the visitors who drew first blood.

How frightening is that when Ilya Kovalchuk darts towards a goaltender with Travis Zajac also scooting in? The result was an early second quarter goal.

The Isles need to generate more scoring opportunities and wear down the opposition in the neutral zone. The Devils looked plenty confident coming into their attacking zone. It’s a tough loss for the Isles in their season opener. Hope it’s not another downer of a season.

New York Islanders
 vs. New Jersey Devils

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 - 36 Eric Boulton



Defensemen:
 2 Mark Streit - 37 Brian Strait
 - 47 Andrew MacDonald - 3 Travis Hamonic -

52 Joe Finley - 7 Matt Carkner



Goaltenders: 
20 Evgeni Nabokov (starter)
 - 39 Rick DiPietro


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It's hard being a New York Islanders fan. But a fan I remain as I have been for three decades now.