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.

Islanders Invade the Rock, Win in Shootout

October 4

It was a nail biter but the Islanders finished off the Devils in a shootout, thanks to Matt Moulson, to get their first win and first two points of the season. Nabokov started for the Islanders and allowed 3 goals on 29 shots, but stopped all 6 shootout attempts. Michael Grabner tallied 2 goals on breakaways, one in the first period and the other in the second, and then added an assist on Frans Nielsen’s goal in the third period. Hamonic, Bailey and Donovan each had one assist on the night.

NHL 13: Islanders-Penguins Game One

Tonight the Islanders and the top seeded Penguins will begin their quarter-final series at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are the heavy favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup, and to win the cup.

The Islanders have been given no chance to win this series because Pittsburgh is far and beyond the most talented offensive team in the NHL. Oh and they have been playing without their golden boy Sidney Crosby, who looks to return during this series, but is likely out tonight.

Before we all watch the real life action that begins tonight at 7:30, let's take a look at how NHL '13 thinks game one will unfold between the two teams.

*Crosby played in this game.

The Islanders held their own in the first period, and jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Michael Grabner off a nice feed from Casey Cizikas. After the goal, the Penguins began to put the pressure on Evgeni Nabakov and the Islanders defense, but the Pens could not capitalize on any of their chances.

The Penguins play carried over into the second period, and dominated puck possession. Five minutes into the period, the Islanders could not clear the zone and they paid for it. Brooks Orpik took a shot from the point that stopped by Nabakov, but James Neal was there to bury the rebound and tie the score at one. Five minutes later Brooks Orpik ripped a shot from the point that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net.

The Islanders offense disappeared in the second period and were held to just two shots on goal. It got worse for the Isles when Kunitz struck from the high slot. Kunitz blasted a slapper past Nabakov to give the Pens a 3-1 , lead after two periods.

The game looked to be over halfway through the third period when Kunitz picked off a pass by Mark Streit in the high slot and ripped it high glove side by Nabakov for a 4-1 Pittsburgh lead. The Islanders cut the deficit to 4-2 with three minutes left when Matt Moulson put home a rebound off of a shot by Marty Reasoner. The Islanders pulled Nabakov with a minute and a half left desperately looking to find some magic, and with 50 seconds left in regulation John Tavares stole the puck from Paul Martin and found Brad Boyes who buried the shot and made it a 4-3 game.

The Islanders again pulled Nabakov right after the face-off and got the puck into the Penguins zone looking for a game-tying tally. After a blocked shot from the point, James Neal skated up the wing and hit the empty net to give the Penguins a 5-3 victory.

If any Islander players or coaches are reading this, take care of the puck in your own zone. Clear the puck when you get the chance, and don't let any offensive opportunities go to waste!

Hopefully NHL '13 is not correct with it's game one predictions, but it will be up to the Islanders to force a different outcome.

Three Stars:

3rd Star: Brooks Orpik 1G, 1A

2nd Star: James Neal 2G

1st Star: Chris Kunitz 2G (Game winner)

Islanders and Rangers Battle in Uniondale

Photo: sportsradiony.com

Tonight's match-up between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers will have all the feel of a playoff game mixed with a heated rivalry. Expect the emotions to run a little bit deeper, the will to win to be a little bit stronger, and the noise in the Coliseum to be that much louder. This late season meeting with both teams in the playoffs and separated by only two points has this game shaping up to be one of the greats. What will the scene be like tonight in Uniondale? To describe in one word...electric.

The Islanders have not made the playoffs since the the 2006-2007 season where they slipped into the final spot on the final day of the regular season. They were ousted in the first round by the top seeded Buffalo Sabres and haven't tasted playoff hockey since. Now this young and energetic team has Islander fans buzzing about a playoff berth, and their team is playing some good hockey at the right time.

The Islanders are 8-2-0 in their last ten games, and had some big wins over teams fighting for a playoff spot. Not only are the Isles scoring goals, they are playing strong defense. In the ten game span the Islanders gave up more than two goals just once. The most impressive win came this past Thursday night up in Beantown. The Islanders shut down the high powered Bruins and held them to just one goal. I know Boston was missing a few players, but that does not take away from the stout defense the Islanders played. Josh Bailey, who has come on strong as of late, netted both goals against the Bruins. The Islanders currently hold the number seven spot in the Eastern Conference right behind the Ottawa Senators and right in front of the Rangers.

The Rangers are playing their best hockey of the season as well right now. Since April 1st, the Blueshirts are 4-1-1, and have out shot their opponents in every game. Newcomers Derick Brassard and Ryane Clowe have added a boos to a Ranger offense that at times looked like they couldn't score on a soccer net. But Tortorella has his team turning things around, and look to make a late push up the playoff ladder.

Derek Stepan and Rick Nash will be targeted all night by the Islanders defense. Nash and Stepan are one and two on the Rangers in points (Nash 35, Stepan 34). As for the Islanders, we all know who the Rangers must keep an eye on, and that's John Tavares and Matt Moulson. In twenty career games against the Rangers, Tavares has 8 goals and 13 assists, including two goals in two games at the Garden this year. The Rangers must also keep an eye on the speedy Michael Grabner who seems to have at least one breakaway every game. There's no room for error on the Rangers defense who has broken down at times and left players wide open in front of the net.

The intensity will be at an all-time high tonight between the Rangers and Islanders. Expect there to be some scrums and maybe a fight, but don't look for a slug fest between these two. Two points, and a stronger hold on a playoff spot are on the line tonight, so the two teams will have to play smart hockey. It is going to be a fun game and a game that let's New York hockey fans know that the hockey rivalry is back, for now at least.   It's going to be loud, it's going to be exciting, it's going to be fun. And did I mention it's going to be loud tonight?

Puck drops at 7 p.m

P.S Ranger fans,

Don't expect the Coliseum to 60-40 or 70-30 in favor of the red, white, and blue tonight. They Islanders have had 17,000 fans filling the seats the past few home games and they are hungry for the playoffs.