Good evening everyone!

Home game number 26 brings us a match up between John Tavares and the New York Islanders and Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, always a great time for sure.

I am going to apologize in advance, I am not feeling 100 percent tonight so I may not be so quick on the draw this evening. Enough about me though—onto the good stuff.

The Islanders find themselves jam packed in the Eastern Conference tonight, should they win and Montreal lose they will finish as high as 6th but a loss by the Isles and a Boston and Florida win will find them as low as tenth. Interesting parity as always in the East.

The Islanders will also leap frog the Rangers, whom they trail by one point.

Roster notables for the evening, Dustin Kohn finds himself back in Bridgeport now that Andy Sutton’s suspension is over. Josh Bailey is under the weather (maybe he has what I have) and no word on him yet, Jeff Tambellini appears to be scratched as well and of course Martin Biron is sitting comfortably in the press box as well.

Dare I say it, but let’s see if the scary Islanders team the Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau talked about in the pregame interview is the one that comes out in the first period.

First Period

7:10pm Islanders lose the opening draw, taken by Richard Park
7:10pm Islanders forecheck is on point already, caused a turnover and forced Theodore to make a stop. Islanders find themselves with two shots on goal due to the turnover. Ovechkin accepts a feed and from his knees makes a wrist shot and almost scored.
7:11pm The Capitals are on the board first, a passing play that caught Roloson out of position. Morrison from Erskine
7:14pm Well, Josh Bailey IS dressed tonight, go figure.
7:16pm A Semin wrist shot makes it 2-0 Capitals. Where is Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek to shut him down when you need them?
7:17pm Morrison gonna sit for hooking, Islanders power play.
7:19pm Rob Schremp makes it a one goal game on the power play off a feed from Doug Weight
7:22pm Schremps 6th of the season from Weight and Hunter
7:26pm Capitals get a penalty for goaltender interference (Green), I thought for sure it was on Roloson
7:28pm 12 seconds remain on Green’s penalty, and now they have taken a holding penalty as well. Islanders extend their power play.
7:30pm Okposo looking for something down low, misses the net and it rims around and out. Regain control and are working down low. Islanders hit the post, not sure who shot the puck.
7:32pm Even strength, Capitals shoot and it’s deflected out of play.
7:36pm Tavares the recipient of a great Bailey pass and rang on off the iron. That’s now two posts for the Islanders this period.
7:41pm First Islanders penalty of the period called on Bergenheim for a hold. Jack Hillen was just BLASTED in the mouth with the puck. Ovechkin shot the puck….bloody mess.
7:46pm Capitals score on the power play, Roloson pissed he allowed them to hack away and get it through his pads.
7:48pm Another forward for the Islanders who cannot buy a goal, Frans Nielsen who missed the net completely unimpeded.
7:49pm Semin dances through the Islanders defense and then scoops a backhand over a fallen Roloson from behind the net. Great effort, but it’s now 4-1 Capitals.

End of the period.

I don’t have the energy to really break down the play of the Islanders this period. The Capitals are riding a hot streak and are leaps and bounds the better team.

Second Period

Rick DiPietro comes into the game in relief of Roloson.

8:07pm Islanders are underway, hopefully the change of a netminder gives them some confidence back as DP makes his first save of the game.
8:10pm Early reports are that Hillen was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
8:10pm Capitals score on fresh goaltender DiPietro to make it 5-1 on Erskine’s first of the season.
8:14pm Capitals called for hooking, Islanders fourth power play of the game, they are 1/3 right now.
8:18pm Nothing going for the Islanders on that power play. 1 for 4 on the evening.
8:22pm Islanders score on a nice play – Okposo from Tavares and Bailey 5-2 Caps
8:29pm DiPietro gives the team some life with a nice save moving post to post.
8:31pm Chimera’s hard wrister beats DiPietro to make it 6-2
8:34pm Capitals called for tripping, Islanders 5th power play of the night.
8:38pm Islanders all over the Caps that power play, DiPietro with two long passes to his forwards, three scoring chances but not enough quick shots.

Final minute of the period

Another not so great period by the Islanders, maybe they are all feeling the way I do tonight with the sneezing and burning eyes.

The Capitals are too good of a team, they block almost every shot and pass, they cause turnovers and they seem to be able to score from just about every single spot on the ice. DiPietro is doing his best to stem the tided, but he has allowed two goals himself this period.

All those power play opportunities have been wasted tonight, save for the first one of the game.

Maybe they can work a miracle in the third period?

Third Period

8:57pm Now in goal for the Capitals Michal Neuvirth
9:01pm Capitals beat writer Tarik ElBashir claims Neuvirth was warming up the end of the second period. Perhaps that second shot of the mask late in the second shook up Theodore.
9:09pm There aren’t many times I say this (and it’s more because of the way I feel tonight) – I cannot wait for the game to end. I should have stayed home tonight.
9:12pm Islanders get called for holding, MacDonald did all he could to prevent a Semin hat trick.
9:14pm Andy Sutton just cleared out Laich from in front, it looked like he gave him whiplash the way he moved him from the crease.
9:15pm Islanders kill off that penalty and MacDonald sprung from the box and chased down the puck and carried it into the Caps zone. He made a nice move and found Bergenheim streaking to the net, Neuvirth was there for the save though.
9:19pm I just realized that countless Islanders are invisible tonight. Matt Moulson was just out on the ice and I couldn’t remember when the last time I saw him was, then I said the same thing about four of five other players.
9:22pm Laich just danced around everyone and roofed a wrist shot past DP to make it 7-2
9:24pm If the Islanders cannot rise up and find the will to win a huge game like this tonight, how would they do in the playoffs?

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I didn’t get the opportunity to post up a preview for this, I got called into work on an emergency today and haven’t had much time. However, I just did a quick Islanders chat with The Hockey Guys on their radio show. Be sure to check out the site and the replay of the show when you get the chance.

Once it’s up I will post the link.

Big thanks to Anthony Curatolo, Brandon Augienello and Dustin Leed for having me on today, I look forward to appearing again!

Update!

You can listen to the show in the player below:

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Good evening everyone, this should be an interesting night for sure!

Less than a week ago on home ice, the New York Islanders took on the New Jersey Devils and not only chased all star and hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur after two periods, but they completely dominated play and shut out the Devils 4-0.

The Devils have been struggling as of late, I guarantee beating them tonight will be no easy task. However, that said they are without the firepower they were once getting with Elias out of the lineup and Bergfors goalless in the last 11 games.

In that 4-0 win on Monday afternoon, Rick DiPietro was between the pipes for the Islanders and earned his first shutout in only his third start of the season. DiPietro is once again your starter, look for some magic in that area given his strong play that seems to grow the more his confidence returns.

In their home win on Thursday night over the Florida Panthers, several players were ALL over the ice—even though they were without points I liked what I saw. The line of Park, Weight and Bergenheim was awesome the other night, as was Jon Sim. Okposo, Shremp, Bailey, Tavares and Moulson all had chances—great chances as did Doug Weight who looks like he is about to break out offensively himself.

Dustin Kohn made his NHL debut and assisted on Blake Comeau’s second period goal, giving Kohn his first NHL point. I witnessed the PR guys shuttle the puck down the hall to Kohn after the game, it’s amazing how many times I catch important small acts like that the more I am around the team. I hope he continues to play the game that earned him a call up to cover for Andy Sutton while he serves his suspension.

The Islanders are on a streak here at home, winning six consecutive games—and it’s no secret to the crowd as this is the second consecutive sellout.

This is a big night, against a conference and division rival so the points are HUGE.

First Period

Delayed start due to some problems with the ice where the Elementary school sang the National Anthem. There was a big carpet near the zamboni door.

7:13pm Islanders pull the opening draw back, the Devils got to it and shot it, it was deflected out of play.
7:14pm Devils taking it to the Islanders early, they look a bit more focused tonight
7:17pm Okposo finds a streaking Streit and Brodeur makes a great save or it hit the post. Devils come right back down and DiPietro makes one of his own.
7:21pm Devils control the puck from behind the goal line and pass out to an awaiting Langenbrunner, stick cocked—Goal 1-0 Devils.
7:24pm 9 minutes into the first, the Devils are out shooting the Islanders by the wide margin of 9-1
7:27pm Devils penalty for slashing, this should jump start the Islanders—hopefully.
7:29pm What a horrible power play, we had one shot. Dis.Organ.Ized.
7:34pm They sure aren’t making Brodeur work much tonight.
7:36pm DiPietro finds a fluttering puck through traffic with his glove. Islanders needs to step up their play here, shots are 11-4 with 6 minutes remaining.
7:38pm Hillen beats his man to the puck for an icing, and then takes exception to Davis’ late hit.
7:45pm This game feels the same way the Panthers game did on Thursday, you know except for the 1-0 in favor of the opposition and everything.

End of the first period.

Islanders got outplayed in almost every capacity during the first period. The Devils must have studied nothing but the tape of the Islanders last three games because they aren’t allowing them to establish their forecheck or generate any shots. They are clogging the lanes and stepping in front of every shot and pass much like the Panthers did the first period on Thursday.

Hopefully Scott Gordon has some heated words of wisdom for the Islanders, they need to find their game—or at least a game that works.

Second Period

8:04pm Devils control the opening draw this period and take it back into the Islanders end.
8:05pm Islanders strong on the puck, leads to another power play. They are 0/1 with one shot so far tonight.
8:09pm Islanders fail to convert that power play, but added four or five shots to their total.
8:10pm Park just rang one off the post behind Brodeur, poor guy cannot buy a goal.
8:13pm Just wanted to add, the Islanders have hit three posts tonight….
8:14pm Nielsen alone in front, takes a few swipes at the puck but Brodeur makes the save, and then three more for good measure.
8:15pm Islanders now hold the edge in shots 14-13, now only if they can notch a goal to knot this up.
8:20pm Bergenheim injured on a boarding play, Colin White assessed a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. 5 minute PP
8:21pm Okposo ties it on the Power Play! Still a man up for 4:42, they can score at will with the major penalty.
8:22pm Okposo from Tavares and Streit
8:24pm Islanders score again on the major 2-1
8:25pm Hillen from Okposo and Shremp
8:26pm DiPietro needed to stop a short handed breakaway.
8:28pm HUGE turn of events, Islanders really capitalize on the major power play and score twice to get the lead. Shot count 18-13 in favor of the Isles.
8:30pm I gather Lamaire didn’t see that Coyotes-Islanders game last week? He failed to put someone in the box and the Islanders had an extended five on four until a whistle.
8:36pm Gervais in the box for hooking
8:38pm :32 seconds left in the period, Devils tie the game on the power play, ending their 52 pp scoreless skid

End of the second period.

Well, that was quite different. A big power play for the Islanders after White boarded and injured Bergenheim gave them two goals. A note of interest, the Islanders—should they have been able to, could have kept the man advantage for as long as they kept the puck in play as the Devils failed to put anyone in the box for the penalty. Hopefully Bergenheim returns, he looked to be cut pretty bad but got up under his own power.

The Islanders had 13 shots that period, the Devils 1—the complete inverse of the first period oddly enough.

The game is tied going into the third, but given the turn of events it should be a great third period.

Third Period

8:56pm Islanders control the opening draw this period. They’re off.
8:58pm Report on Bergenheim as he has returned, full cage and broken nose.
9:05pm Devils controlling the flow to this point, not many shots but they have been in the zone a few times. Islanders FINALLY took a shot this period. Only took eight minutes.
9:13pm Shot did not count, almost 13 minutes into the third and the Islanders are yet to register a shot on goal.
9:14pm Bruno Gervais takes exception to a late hack on DiPietro and throws Salvador out of the crease.
9:17pm Devils take a 3-2 lead off a deflection and screen in front of DiPietro. The way he reacted makes me think he had no look at the puck.
9:19pm Two icings in a row, Scott Gordon needs to take his timeout soon.
9:23pm How this team can be so different from period to period escapes me.
9:28pm Devils make it 4-2 into an empty net.

Islanders managed 3 shots on goal through the last twenty minutes of play, inexcusable. Cannot wait to hear the post game tonight…..

Devils shots 14 and the Islanders 3 in the third.

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Good evening everyone!

Checking in as always live at Nassau Coliseum from the Blog Box located in Section 201 getting ready for another live blog. Tonight we have a special guest, Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Loat is in town visiting family and came out to support the Islanders tonight as they take on the Florida Panthers.

You can read what he has to say tonight as he will be on Twitter giving plenty of updates. Follow @mozy19 and myself @islesblogger on twitter all night for constant updates there as well as here in the live blog.

Game News

Yesterday the biggest Islanders news was the two game suspension given to defenseman Andy Sutton for his hit on Pascal Dupuis in Pittsburgh, but that overshadowed another piece of news—Nate Thompson being placed on waivers in order to free up a roster spot for a defensive call up from Bridgeport. It was expected that Thompson would clear waivers, but he did not. The Tampa Bay Lightning plucked Thompson off of waivers and he is set to play for them tonight in Florida. It was a risk that Garth Snow needed to take, Thompson has played well for the Islanders but let’s face it he can be replaced. The biggest hit will come on the penalty kill, one of Thompson’s best qualities as a defensive forward.

Good luck Nate, it was always a pleasure dealing with you and I know I will miss what you brought to the Islanders the last two seasons.

To replace Andy Sutton tonight, the Islanders called up defenseman Dustin Kohn from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. Kohn will wear number 56 tonight against the Panthers.

Your netminder tonight, Dwayne Roloson and expect Rick DiPietro to start on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

First Period

7:10pm Islanders push the opening draw forward and fail to gain full control, play down in the Islanders zone.
7:13pm Roloson makes his first save of the period, and then looked around to make sure he wouldn’t be called for a delay of game.
7:16pm Game is fairly even up to this point, granted it’s only five minute in. Neither team is setting a tone, for the most part.
7:18pm Bruno Gervais shows his rare rough side as pushes a Panther out of the crease after the whistle.
7:26pm Panthers are out shooting and out chancing the Islanders tonight, it looks like they are skating in mud.
7:32pm I hear this giant sucking sound, yea—that’s the Islanders tonight.
7:38pm Final minute of the first period. Note the lack of updates in my live blog….

Wow what a period! It took both teams a bit of time to get their legs moving but Florida has the edge in shots 14-6. Islanders looked better late in the first and had a few chances of their own, but they definitely need to generate more shots and offense. The forecheck isn’t really working tonight either, they need to wake up and perhaps hit up some Red Bull between periods. Let’s see what happens in the second frame.

Second Period

7:59pm Islanders once again fail to fully control the opening draw and allow the Panthers a chance down low.
8:00pm Moulson finds Nielsen alone out in front, but Frans fanned on the shot as the puck was bouncing.
8:03pm Islanders with several chances bunched up here in the second. Jon Sim looking to get involved physically and catches a cross check or two behind the Panthers net.
8:04pm The Park, Weight and Bergenheim line seems to be getting chances tonight at will.
8:07pm Panthers on the board first, 1-0
8:09pm Islanders spring back to life after the goal, who’s out there? Park, Weight and Bergy – they had maybe four scoring chances. However, Bergenheim should have shot instead of passed in the slot.
8:17pm Islanders tie the game on a nice slap shot by Blake Comeau – Dustin Kohn may have his first NHL point on the play.
8:18pm Comeau from Dustin Kohn and Gervais that is Kohn’s first NHL point! Congrats Dustin.
8:19pm Doug Weight absolutely robbed by Vokoun on a virtual empty net. Nice desperation save there.
8:29pm New line out there for the Islanders, Bailey, Tavares and Okposo – three first rounders (12th, 6th and 1st respectively).

End of the second period

Much better period all around, shot count is now 25-22 in favor of the Panthers. Islanders tied the game on some great work in the Panthers end. No penalties thus far, Jon Sim is being a pest in front of the net and they are not calling a thing on him or the players playing against him.

The Islanders are getting to pucks, passing, shooting and really outplayed the Panthers that period. As I said earlier I think they realized they were actually playing tonight. Let’s see if they can keep it up.

Third Period

8:50pm Islanders working hard already in the third, they need an early goal.
8:54pm Islanders have stormed back in the shot department and are one away from being equal at 26
8:58pm Of course, the Islanders get the first penalty of the game – 45 minutes in on a weak slashing call on Sim.
9:05pm Great pressure by the Islanders, but they called another penalty on Sim, this time for goaltender interference. Pathetic officiating tonight.
9:09pm Islanders kill off the second Sim call, but prior to that Nielsen and Okposo went in on a shorthanded two on one, Okposo gets crosschecked and taken down in front of the referee and there was NO CALL. Pathetic officiating and they hear it from the crowd in unison.
9:13pm Florida “FINALLY” commits a penalty….a high stick, two minutes.
9:16pm Weight with a chance in front but missed the net. Okposo and Tavares both crosschecked in the corner, no calls.
9:22pm Bergenheim just missed a wide open net.
9:23pm Roloson comes up big to preserve the tie late in the third.

And we are headed to overtime, what’s this the 40th time this season?

Overtime

9:27pm Islanders need to wrap this one up quick and sink these Panthers.
9:28pm Islanders penalty to Comeau for slashing. Bad, bad, bad.
9:31pm Hillen caught with a broken stick, Islanders make huge clears. Streit just rocked his man along the boards and we are even up.
9:33pm Odd man rush in the final minute and Vokoun makes the stop.

End of overtime, we are headed to the shootout.

Shootout

Nielsen – NO GOAL
Olescz – NO GOAL
Shremp – GOAL
Frolik – NO GOAL
Moulson – GOAL

Game, set and match – Islanders win in a shootout 2-1

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Unfortunately big hits and injuries are part of the game we have all grown to love and respect, it’s also unfortunate that sometimes they both go hand in hand. Such is the case for Andy Sutton who laid a booming hit on the Penguins Pascal Dupuis in a 6-4 loss last night. Dupuis was hit from behind on the play and lay crumbled, disoriented and bleeding as a result of the hit. Sutton was given a five minute major and a game misconduct on the play. Dupuis was helped off the ice and did not return.

Sutton attended a disciplinary hearing earlier today and learned he has been suspended for two games as a result of his hit.

My reaction and opinion are up over on Bleacher Report.

Sometimes, it’s best to just accept your punishment and this is one of those times for Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton.

Last night in the Islanders 6-4 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sutton laid a booming check on Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis. This isn’t far from the norm for Sutton, as he hits players hard and quite often on the regular (Sutton is in a three way tie for ninth in hits on the Islanders with 44 and is six shy of the team lead). However, this time he caught Dupuis in the numbers and in a vulnerable position.

Read the entire article HERE and be sure to vote in the poll!

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Look out, Islanders are about to take on the New Jersey Devils in a Matinee game here on Martin Luther King day. As always, I am live from the Coliseum in the Blog Box bringing you live game updates and some witty banter and comments through out.

Islanders scratches today, Jeff Tambellini, Nate Thompson and Martin Biron.

Should be a good game today, let’s see if John Tavares can build on his goal on Saturday after going ten consecutive games without scoring. It would also be great to see Josh Bailey, Rob Schremp and Matt Moulson to contribute offensively today. If you noticed I left Kyle Okposo off that list, I did so for a reason—he has continued to contribute in so many ways for the Islanders and that’s one of the main reasons the Islanders have had success as of late.

We are close to the puck drop, check back often for updates!

Ok, this is interesting—Rick DiPietro is your starting goaltender today, which is news to just about everyone in the building. He must be feeling great, apparently. You know how DiPietro LOVES to match up against that guy down at the other end of the ice in Martin Brodeur, I’m sure that has something to do with that.

First Period

2:09pm Islanders control the opening draw (I still want to look back and see how many times they’ve won and lost).
2:11pm After great a great flurry in front of Brodeur the Devils ice the puck and on the next flurry, Moulson bats in a rebound for an early lead. Islanders lead 1-0 1:30 into the game.
2:13pm Moulson from Nielsen and Hunter, that’s Moulson’s 18th of the season
2:14pm Islanders thought they scored again, but it was waved off due to a blown whistle. That’s two games in a two that Park had “scored” but it was blown dead.
2:15pm Devils just shot the puck over the glass, Islanders power play – THEY NEED TO SCORE HERE
2:16pm Mark Streit with a blast from the point beats Brodeur on the power play and it’s 2-0 Islanders
2:18pm Streit (7th) on the PP from Tavares and Okposo
2:22pm Devils have stepped up their physical play, which was a given considering the first period they are having.
2:22pm Devils going to the box for holding, Let’s get chili boys!
2:25pm Brodeur doing what Brodeur does and making seemingly impossible saves look routine.
2:29pm Islanders are out shooting the Devils 12-3 with 9 minutes left in the first.
2:31pm Islanders are on their third power play of the period, they are currently 1/2 and have a tremendous amount of shots.
2:35pm Islanders are now 1/3 on the power play, but I think 12 of their 17 shots have come on the man advantage. Great job tonight, keep plugging away.
2:37pm Islanders forecheck is on point tonight, I think the Devils have iced the puck 7 times this period.
2:38pm DiPietro with his first tough save of the game, a scrambler where he had to kick out his legs from his back.
2:40pm Islanders deviate from their game plan, pressure leads to a penalty in the defensive zone while protecting DiPietro in the crease Tavares for tripping.

End of the first period. Time for refreshments.

Great period, Discuss.

Second Period

3:17pm While I was away, apparently we missed pretty much nothing. More Isles shots and a Devils post.
3:23pm Hunter and Tavares ran into each other and both looked shaken up – then Tavares got tripped as he got up and slowly skated to the bench.
3:26pm Brodeur was just hit up high int he mask on that snap shot. He looked shaken up for a minute.
3:28pm Bailey alone in front redirects a rebound past Brodeur and it’s 3-0
3:30pm Bailey’s 12th of the season from Jack Hillen
3:33pm Jon Sim gitting hammered out there tonight, he skated off the ice sucking wind and looking sore. Doing his job though.
3:34pm Islanders take a 4-0 lead – Sutton with a shot from the point that may have been tipped by Moulson
3:37pm After the final horn here in the second, the goal was annouced as Sutton’s and the assist going to Hunter

So two periods in the books here today and the Devils are sucking wind. The forecheck is absolutely perfect tonight, it’s leading to turnovers, hard hits, icing, and the Islanders are going to those hard areas and taking the body in order to score gritty goals – not to mention goals by defensemen tonight (Streit and Sutton). An all around perfect game so far, the onus is on the Isles to continue the effort going into the third.

Third Period

3:55pm Moulson credited with the Islanders 4th goal, and Yann Danis in net for the Devils.
3:58pm DiPietro shows some nice stick work and bats a rebound out of the zone mid-air.
4:02pm Doug Weight is in the box for tripping.
4:05pm Devils even up man power – four on four for a minute twenty.
4:10pm DiPietro got hit in the mask earlier, a crazy play after that where he had the puck covered and therre was no whistle – turns out NJ dug it out and took another shot. Isles go down into the offensive zone and forced Danis to make a save. First real save of the period for him.
4:25pm Islanders completely own the Devils here today. Final minute of the third, DP chants rain down

The perfectionist also known as Rick DiPietro earns the shutout on 20 saves in his third start of the season.

Good on ya Ricky. Welcome back.

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