October 5
On the second night of a back to back the Islanders lost in
a shoot-out after leading for the first two periods. John Tavares picked up two
assists, one on a really nice
semi no look backhand pass to the slot to Moulson. Lubomir Visnovsky
had the other goal of the game for the Islanders which came on a power play.
Nabokov was the goalie again and was fantastic except for a span of 6 minutes
where the Blue Jackets scored their two goals. The Islanders lost in the
shootout after Moulson once again scored, this time to keep the shootout going.
It was a tough one to swallow but the Islanders have to be content with 3
points in their first 2 games.
The Important Things:
The Tavares line
was alive and kicking as he factored on both goals and created a few more
opportunities. This is a complete 180 turn around from last night where this
line was practically invisible. The 4th line was also alive and
kicking and Colin McDonald found him
self with several scoring chances. Casey
Cizikas also was a big factor winning 79& of the faceoffs he took,
including a streak that 11 wins in a row to start the game.
The power play also seemed completely different than last
night scoring on the first chance and then setting up Frans Nielsen twice before regulation ended and then Kyle Okposo hit the post on a one-timer
in overtime.
Rising Stock:
Lubomir Visnovsky, get this honor tonight as he picked up
two points and was a +1. However that is not the reason he is being out here.
Late in the third period, Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky took what
looked to be dive and Visnovsky. Outraged by the call, he yelled at the refs
then slammed his stick into the door of the penalty box as he got in. That type
of intensity is what the Islanders need to show all year, especially when the
veteran defenseman who didn’t want the play for the Islanders is showing the
most now.
Falling Stock:
Kyle Okposo should be here for the second night in a row for
all the opportunities he failed to convert on. But, tonight it goes to the
“newbie line” of Bouchard, Nelson and Regin. It seemed like these guys were in
the defensive zone every time they were on the ice and any chance they had at
scoring came on a deep angle shot. These three players seem to be the ones on
the hot seat with Strome and Lee waiting in the minors.
What’s Next:
The Islanders will have a few days to rest up before the Phoenix
Coyotes come into town on Tuesday. Puck will drop at 7pm
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