10:13 pm: You can tell by the way he answered Art Staple's questions in the locker room, Rick DiPietro was not happy. Not one bit.
You can think of it this way -- the man who has not played a game for the Isles since the December before last could have been happy as hell just to have put this first game back behind him. He played well the first two periods. This was not a blow out game. It really is nothing for Rick to be ashamed of.
It's just not the outcome anyone on the Isles wanted.
The positives: Colin McDonald threw seven hits to Matt Martin's five. David Ullstrom had four shots on goal. Neither power play earned a goal. Keith Aucoin continues to impress on the faceoffs.
9:33 pm: An incredibly exciting and frustrating last few minutes of the third period as the Bruins just out skated the Isles all over the ice. But somehow the tired Islanders managed to keep the Bruins from scoring.
At the two minute mark, Jack pulled Rick for the extra skater, and John Tavares did everything he possibly could to give the Isles a chance to tie the game.9:26 pm: Okay, that one was Rick's fault. He didn't get anywhere near the left post to protect the net and Patrice Bergeron just scored easily.
With six minutes left in the third, this one is getting away from the Isles. Did we expect anything less? It's the Bruins.
9:13 pm: Chara with a screen on Rick makes it 3 - 2 and I am not happy.
8:35 pm: Campbell's goal on DiPietro has Isles D Finley on the assist. What was that? But it's a bad break for the Isles.
8:29 pm: Make that Keith Aucoin 2 Bruins 1. Wow! Look at this kid go.
Casey Cizikas took a hooking penalty and the Bruins are back on the power play and the crowd actually begins to boo them. Rick DiPietro has learned rebound control. It's about time.
Isles kill off the penalty and Cizikas attempts the Martin breakaway move but misses. Again, John Tavares is just a pleasure to watch. He is a playmaker.
8:20 pm: Second period and the score is still 1 - 1. Fifteen shots on goal for each team and almost a goal for Matt Moulson, but the replay was deemed unconclusive. A penalty on Chara for interferrence on JT earned the Isles nothing but skating in their own end, but they are holding their own.
7:42 pm: So far so good. 1-1 in the first and even my daughter said Rick didn't have a chance on the goal he gave up. Keith Aucoin continues to iimpress me as he scored his second Islander goal.
Paille leveled Strait in the corner and Matt Martin wants to have a chat with him. Thornton jumps in and gets a ten minute misconduct for it, but not a 3rd man in. For some reason, Matt Martin gets a double minor and the Isles are down a man.
I am guessing Matt Martin is still in the Refs cross hairs.
4:56 pm: I pulled this from today's game notes:
Matt Moulson has 99 career goals as an Islander (105 career NHL goals).
Then I'd like to hope for his 100th tonight against Tuuka. Thank you.
I see they are taking bets and making jokes on the net about our net. I'm also hoping that the outcome of tonight's game puts a stop to that. It's a hope. Not a prediction.
11:26 am: The Islanders have confirmed Jack Capuano has chosen Rick DiPietro to start tonight's game in his old home town. Do not panic.
7 am: Not enough coffee yet!! BEANTOWN! BEANTOWN!!!
Are you ready? Are they?
The first of this season's back-to-back tilts in tough cities will be an excellent test for an Isles squad just getting used to each other.
The goals are coming from more than just the top line, so Jack Capuano is finally getting what he wants. Will the question then be, can he get what he wants out of his back-up.
All pundits suggest this will be Rick DiPietro's debut. We won't know for sure until after this morning's press availability with Jack. It's suggested that Nabby will say he's not tired, but after facing as many shots as he did yesterday, it may be a good idea to keep him on the bench.
OR -- since the Bruins have beaten the Isles more often than not last season, Jack may take the chance and ride the hot hand one more night.
What do you think will happen? Will Radek Martinek or Thomas Hickey play tonight? Casey Cizikas was knocked around a little last night, will he get a rest?
Congrats to Keith Aucoin (Mr. Face off) and Brad Boyes for their first goals as Islanders. Congrats to Matt Moulson for his two goal night and the money he'll be donating to charity for them.
Isles should keep a close eye on Milan Lucic. He's dangerous -- in more ways than one.
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