10:07 pm: "Good movement, that's what we got going for us" Brad Boyes on Moulson and Tavares.
Brad Boyes a goal and an assist on the final win.
This was finally a great effort by the Isles to play a full sixty minutes. Nabokov earns his 54th career shut out and his second this season. He seems to play well on the road.
Gee we hear Mike Dunham is being interviewed by MSG. But we wouldn't know because we don't have a post game show because the MSG networks are running two sets of Knicks games and the Rangers. Thanks guys.
These two days of practices really did help this team. Jack has complained about the lack of practice time. I guess he was right.
Amac gets the assist on the empty netter.
Nabby, JT and Lindback 3 stars of the game.
Isles get a day off tomorrow before playing in Sunrise Florida on Saturday.
10:01 pm: Brad Boyes! Empty net goal to make it 2 - 0 with 39 seconds to go in the third period. I have been biting my nails for the last two minutes as Nabokov has a shut out. The first Isles shut out in Tampa in four years.
9:57 pm: Oh no!!!! David Ullstrom's reward for playing well is getting hurt and being helped to the dressing room not putting pressure on a leg. Don't know why.
Less than two minutes left and still 1 - 0. Someone keep an eye on St. Louis.
9:51 pm: Your best penalty killer has to be your goalie, and for two full minutes, Nabokov was exactly that. With Stamkos and St. Louis doing everything they could to even the score, Nabby turned all the shots away. Hamonic has been lucky tonight. Let's keep it that way.
9:46 pm: In a game that has only seen two penalties, one per team, Nielsen gets brave and takes a really dumb penalty for holding. he had to know that would be called. Nielsen sits in the box and the Isles PK without Grabner has to work even harder.
This is classic Islanders. They will wait until there is only a few minutes left and let the Bolts even up and then double up the score.
9:39 pm: Marty Reasoner can't catch a break. I'm starting to feel for the guy.
9:30 pm: Frans Nielsen victim of a hip check, but it made me more worried that he could have been hurt when he hit the ice close to his checker's skates.
9:06 pm: Mark Streit takes a hooking penalty with less than two minutes left of the second period. Such dangerous territory. Cizikas skates with Nielsen with Grabner out of the line-up.
St. Louis is the one that will be the most dangerous to defend against. But the PK does their job and the Isles manage to leave the period with the single goal.
There can be no letting up for the final twenty minutes. The Isles will have their hands full with a Tampa team that will be hell bent on scoring. I think I'll start biting my nails.
8:55 pm: A penalty to the Bolts for pulling down Matt Martin leads to a John Tavares power play goal on an unselfish pass from Matt Moulson.
It was interesting to hear Butchie talk about Thomas hickey playing his position properly while his team mates were making it difficult for Nabokov. He has been making some excellent saves.
A one goal lead will not win this game because St. Louis will score on Nabokov. They need a few insurance goals. If they need to be on the power play, then so be it.
8:37 pm: Only one MacDonald on the ice tonight for the Isles as Colin is out sick. Hopefully he didn't get anyone else sick.
8:35 pm: one period down and the Isles and Bolts are tied at zero. David Ullstrom with the Isles best chance so far and Matt Moulson a little angry with himself for not scoring.
Forty minutes to go and the Isles can't take a single one off.
Noon: Evgeni Nabokov will face a Tampa team who will be without Vinny Lecavalier. Newsday's Art Staple Tweeted that Jack wasn't excited about that loss to the Bolts.
Capuano on not having to face Lecavalier: "We didn't have to face Malkin on Sunday either."
Yeah, you remember that outcome, right?
While Jesse Joensuu made the trip, Jack has deemed him as not ready, so he will not be in the line-up tonight. He will have company as Carkner and Finley will also sit tonight. Aucoin will be in.
In NHL News, as I received it five times, the NHL BoG has approved realignment and division based playoff format for next season.
More as it comes by, hope you're ready for game night.
Don't forget! Viewing party at TGI Fridays in Massapequa tonight. Go join the fun!
Sideboards: Hey! Feel a little annoyed that you didn't win one of those cool Green St. Pat's day Isles jerseys? Well, I know someone who won TWO of them and for the right price, he may be willing to part with them.
He's got the
John Tavares one from this year and
Casey Cizikas from last year. If anyone is interested, shoot me a DM and I'll put you in touch.
I was surprised that the auction ended when it did, so maybe someone else eels the same way. Just a thought.
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