Islanders Break Losing Streak, Win 3-2

After going 0-2-1 in their last 3 three games the Islanders finally picked up a win defeating the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 3-2. Despite a span 8 seconds where Edmonton’s Taylor Hall scored two goals and another where Edmonton had 3 power plays in 8 minutes, this was a game completely dominated by the Islanders. Josh Bailey got the scoring started with a goal in the first period. Kyle Okposo scored the game-tying goal on a power play and then later in the period John Tavares would score the eventual game-winning goal on a wrist shot from the slot area. This was an important win for the Islanders who were in danger of losing to a team with only one win.

Islanders Lose to Nashville, Losing Streak at 2

October 12, 2103

On a night where the Islanders were out played and out skated most of the night, they only lost 3-2 and at one point in the second, even led the game 2-1. Tonights loss is solely on the hand of goal-tender Evgeni Nabokov, where all the goals against him were shots that should have been stopped. The goal scorers for the Islanders tonight were John Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Kyle Okposo picked up assists on both goals.

The Important Things:

After a lack-luster first period, and going down by 1, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano made a bold change to his line-up. He swapped his top two centers Tavares and Nielsen and it had immediate impact. After the switch the two lines seemed energized and were skating hard, which led to the two quick goals. It will be interesting to see if Coach Capuano will stick to these changes going into the their next game on Tuesday. This is one of the few times Tavares and Moulson have been split up since both joined the team 5 seasons ago.

Islanders Drop Close Game to Blackhawks

October 11, 2103

Even though it is early in the season, many were viewing this game as a barometer as to how good the Islanders are. They played the Blackhawks very close all game but fell just short losing 3-2 and are now 2-1-1 on the season. Both Islanders goals came in the final minute of the first period, the first by Josh Bailey, the second by Kyle Okposo.

The Important Things:

Backup goaltender Kevin Poulin got his first start the season, and actually played pretty well. He seemed to be a little nervous in the first period, which is where 2 of the goals against him were scored. He settled down and made 3 very nice saves in the final period. He wound up stopping 25 of 28 shots against him.

Cal Clutterbuck made his season debut tonight as the rookie Brock Nelson was a healthy scratch. Clutterbuck was the only Islander not to see double digit minutes tonight. His minutes should go up as the season goes along. It will be interesting to see if Nelson will be in the line-up tomorrow night.

The first and second lines were once again buzzing creating the majority of the scoring chances tonight. John Tavares and Michael Grabner picked up assists tonight. After only 5 assists in 45 games last year, Grabner now has 5 in the first 4 games for the Islanders.