12:20 pm: It is official. Islanders Center Colin McDonald has been issued a two game suspension for his hit on Ben Lovejoy. I suppose it could have been a lot worse. McDonald will miss tomorrow and Sunday's games.
And from Twitter:
Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Colin McDonald's two-game suspension will cost him $7,567.56. #NYI
Ouch!
(You know... I've actually missed these Shanny videos!)
Josh Bailey will start skating with the team tomorrow, but is at least a week away from returning from his knee injury. Travis Hamonic didn't skate today. Good thing.
7 am: Early yesterday, one of my readers and Twitter buddies, @63Life told me the game would end with a 4 - 1 win for the Isles. I applauded his enthusiasm, but scoffed at the notion. After all -- these were the Penguins we were talking about. You know, Crosby, Malkin, Fluery. All those names that usually come up with the word “great” in the same sentence.
But while I was a non-believer, it seems that the Penguins coach, and ex-NYI employee Dan Bylsma was. He told the media yesterday
“The New York Islanders have scored 18 goals in five games. Their whole group is one that has been very dangerous on the rush. A lot of skill, a lot of speed, especially in the top two lines. They’re a very dangerous team. A team that looks to create and make plays.”
And so they did.
Matt Moulson on the Cisco NHL post game said it best.
“We couldn’t take a period off like we have been in recent games. I think that was our best 60 minutes we’ve put together so far.”
It was. They finally figured it out. They had played a good 40 minutes and a good 50 minutes, but last night, it was finally 60.
This was a home coming for Brian Strait who returned to Pittsburgh after being cut from their team on January 18th and claimed off waivers by the Isles. “It’s been a great fit so far.” He never had much playing time with the Penguins and looked forward to this opportunity. The bonus was playing with Mark Streit who Strait called “Amazing. He does unbelievable things with the puck. “ And while Strait has been very solid, his name sometimes gives Howie Rose fits “Strait from Streit” etc.
Matt Moulson, who scored his 101st goal as an Islander last night, was asked how the team felt about always being portrayed as “bottom feeders.” Matt chuckled a little.
“We embrace that. No one thinks we’re going to be a team that’s going to contend. I think we have a great group of guys and as long as we stay disciplined within our system, which we’ve kind of gotten away from in other years. Our main focus this year is we’re really going to surprise some teams and surprise ourselves.”
Last night, it was MA Fluery’s turn to be surprised as he was chased from the net after giving up four goals. The first to a rookie on a wrap-around that just took all the air out of the building. The Penguins had scored first in each game they had played so far this short season. That all changed last night, a night Casey Cizikas will never forget. As Matt said “All four lines have been playing some good hockey.”
When I went back and asked @63Life how he knew the Isles would win 4 - 1 (and whether he had tomorrow’s lotto numbers) he said “The Leafs did it, why not the Isles?” Very true. In this game, any team can win on any night.
Veteran writer and blog box alumni B.D.Gallof said “It’s nice to see them playing disciplined game (McDonald hit aside.)"
And there it is. With every rainbow, there is rain. Colin McDonald received a five minute major and a game misconduct for his boarding of Lovejoy. Thankfully the Pens skater was okay, but it was a dangerous hit that pulled him out of Jack’s lineup and gave the Penguins a very dangerous five minute man advantage. I wouldn’t be surprised if he receives a call from Brendan Shanahan -- and it won’t be a cordial one.
Travis Hamonic played all night with a protector on his skate and looked like he was in considerable pain from time to time. But being the trooper that he is, he stayed in the game and made a difference. They all did last night. Now they just have to do the same thing on Thursday against the Devils.
Thanks to Jesse D. Eisenberg for this great shot of Casey Cizikas with his 1st NHL goal puck.
On the down side today, Colin McDonald has a 10:45 am disciplinary call. Yeah. That.
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