Isles vs. Habs with Okposo out of the line up again along with Mark Eaton and Nabokov back between the pipes.

There is a large contingency of Habs fans who may have taken advantag of the $30 discounted tickets.

The first period has seen the Isles taking a few penalties. Just a little undisciplined if you ask me. I put in for a Nielsen goal in the first. It would be nice if I win.

Scotty Allen is back behind the bench after spending too many games up in the suites.

For the second game in a row, Nabokov is hurt on a play. His right leg seems to be giving him the problem.

Rick DiPietro gets a chance between the pipes. He's ready, the fans aren't.

So much for the Nabokov showcase. Groin injury will keep him not only out of the game, but probably out for a stretch. That takes care of the Goalie Go-Round.


As Art Staple pointed out, the first shot RDP faced beat him but hit the post. I'd like to cut the guy some slack as he didn't have much time to prepare and get set.

Scoreless first with even shots on goal. Lots of chances but no goals in either net.


Matt Martin leads the league in hits -- already.

So PA Parenteau had to wait until the beginning of the second to score the Isles first goal of the game? Really? Okay, I kid. Jay Pandolfo scores his first Isles goal at 3:01 of the second and the Isles lead 2 - 0 giving RDP just a smidge of breathing room.


10:45 left of the second and Mark Streit scores an incredibly oportunistic goal to put the Isles up 3 - 0. Matt Martin gets the assist.

At 14:52 of the second, the Canadiens get on the score board as Mike Mottau blunders a shot up the middle that was cut off way too close to the net. Although Butch said RDP had no chance on the goal by Pacioretty, the Brat Baby was yelling all the way "How did you MISS that??" I tend to agree with her. I have to. I live here.

Mottau again on the ice for another Habs goal as Cole gets the puck behind a sprawled Ricky. Luckily Matt Moulson scored only a litle more than half a minute after the Habs looked like they were going to get more than energized.

Moulson and Grabner weren't that sure who the goal belonged to, but it was given to Moulson when it was shown that Grabner did not touch it. It actuall went off PK Suban's stick.

End of 2 Isles 4 Canadiens 2.

Islanders had a few chances early in the third that I probably missed because I switched on Parks & Recreaction.

Matt Moulson almost had his second of the game but just missed the puck at his feet in the paint.

Scott Gomez took off with the puck towards Rick and shot over the blue line. Rick stopped the puck -- and Gomez who had to hold onto Rick as to not fall into the boards.

Comeau played about 3 minutes in the second period? Wow. What a difference from last year. Sort of makes that contract negotiation he went through a little foolish

Michael Grabner is called for tripping and the Isles go on the PK at 9:05 of the third.

The Isles manage to kill off the penalty with flair. A short handed attempt by Frans Nielsen and a beautiful stop by Rick that caused the crowd of almost 10,000 to finally chant his name.

Staios takes a boarding penalty with 5:58 to go in the third. Staios is not hapy with the call at all and the Isles PK heads back to work after the TV time out.

Brian Gionta cuts the Isles lead to 1 giving the Canadeins their third goal. It was not pretty and caused Jack Capuano to get caught expressing his feelings regarding the goal. I'm blaming that one on Rolston.

The last few minutes are a mess as the intensity increased. I did hear "nice play by Niederreiter." The youngster doesn't look out of place for a moment.

1:30 left of the third and the play is in the Canadiens zone until 1:04 and the Habs pull their goalie. It is painful because every second I'm thinking the Habs are going to score and this will go to overtime. I can't type and freak at the same time.

Habs call time out with almost 8 seconds left and Camelieri almost ties it, but Rick makes the save.

But there is a huge fight in the corener with Pandolfo, Hamonic and a few others. All because Hamonic actually held the puck in his mid section to take time off the clock.

Rick DiPietro gets a win, a well deserved win, and Jay Pandolfo gets the first star of the game.

Matt Martin continues to improve. He had 4 shots on net, 2 assists and 3 hits. Josh Bailey is starting to see the plus side of the score sheet for a change. Mark Streit continues to prove how much the Isles missed him last year. He does especially like to play against the team that didn't know what they had in him.

Capuano was at ease facing the media post game, although I swear he gained a few gray hairs during the game.

PA Parenteau "It's a pretty big win for us. we've been playing some good hockey and not getting the wins." He admits it has been frustrating expecially when they've been playing well. "There's a lot of character in this locker room and we just have to stick with it."

(Geeze he talks fast!)

Rick with Stan Fischler talked about team effort and never mentioned he had another assist point. He joked about Nino being so "nimble" due to his age.

It was a good win for all involved. One that the Isles needed as much for the points as for the confidence.

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