9:42 pm: "How do they change this?" Butchie peladed with Howie to figure out something he could say to make sense of yet another loss after 40 good minutes of play.
The Sens squeaked out two goals after the "exasperating" failure to call a high stick play that was not called. But whether or not it was called, the Islanders once again gave up on their lead in the third that "steamrolled."
9:11 pm: The Isles wait to see if the goal Aucoin believes he scored is reviewed. Jack Capuano paced the bench blowing bubbles. Howie and Butch did nothing but discuss how it was NOT a distinct kicking motion. Toronto felt otherwise. No goal for Aucoin and the game still tied at three with the Isles not earning a goal on their power play when Gonchar had been called for holding on MCDonald
I am hoping this call by Toronto will just make John Tavares angry.
9:01 pm: Okay, we've seen this movie before. Wieroch shoots from the blue line and the puch deflects right over Nabokov's should to cut the isles lead to only one. They gave the goal to Silfverberg.
And just a few seconds later Zach Smith scores the Sens third goal of the even. Just like the other games. Isles play great for 40 and somehow the Hockey Gods find a way for them to lose all their momentum.
8:56 pm: Doug Weight used the word 'resillience' to describe his team that have a two goal lead over the Senators. The key was getting back to what they need to do. Simple. Defense first. For the third, they need to continue to be physical and play the same game they have.
8:41 pm: Isles earn a fifth power play on a high stick to Casey Cizikas' head. They don't score, but that doesn't bother me. How good is Casey Cizikas getting every week? He many not have any points tonight as of yet, but he is just everywhere.
8:22 pm: Some less than perfect ice conditions gave the Islanders a great opportunity only 14 seconds into the second period. Josh Bailey had a clear look at the net and managed to backhand it in. Kyle Okposo had a hand in that one too.
Brad Boyes, with a clean hit, takes out Methot and it looks a little scary for a few minutes. You never want to see a player really hurt, no matter what team he is on. He was helped off the ice but no penalty was called.
Isles with another power play chance spend almost the entire two minutes in the Sens zone, Bishop was definitely the Sens best PK, but he couldn't do it forever as Visnovsky beats him to give the Isles a 3 - 1 lead.
7:38 pm: A power play opportunity for the Islanders netted them nothing and the Sens managed a goal on Nabkov to make it 1 -0. But a little hand move by Latendresse gives the Isles another chance to tie it up with theman advantage and Keith Aucoin jumps off the bench with patience and purpose and scores on Bishop to even up the score before the teams head to the dressing room all tied at one.
This is Kyle Okposo's 300th NHL game and he has an assist on @Coiner11's goal. Casey Cizikas had a chance too, but he ended up in the net instead of the puck. But this is good. Very good.
7 am: It's mid March and the Islanders are one game over that pivotal .500 mark. But as Jack Capuano told Newsday's Art Staple, they shouldn't feel too good about themselves. I was happy to read that quote this morning with my coffee and sunflower seed bagel. It shows that Jack understands the real urgency -- even though he doesn't show it very often in the post game reports when the MSG cameras are on him.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet." Staple's article continues. Well I suppose they have accomplished a few things. They have accomplished making John Tavares a household hockey name and even booked him a guest spot on NBC's MikedUp. Not bad. Everyone should know John Tavares has grown into a full blown NHL star. Even if the officials don't exactly give him the same respect as they do other stars. (See, I can say that. It's my opinion and I don't work for the team. No fine for complaining about officiating for me.)
I am surprised that Matt Moulson isn't getting as much press this season since he really is a package deal with JT. But he did have his Cinderella moment already, so -- it's someone else's turn -- Matt Martin. Scoring goals, making plays and hitting hard has made Martin's season so far an "accomplishment."
The injury bug hits every team, but I am surprised that while the Isles have their share -- Joensuu, Carkner, Grabner, and who knows about Ullstrom -- they haven't called anyone up from Bridgeport as of yet.
The Senators have their share of injury woes including Anderson, Spezza, Karlsson and Michalek, yet they don't seem to mind as they continue to grind out wins and earn points. Jack can't say it enough, they have to play a full 60 minutes. Every time they let up for just a shift, it changes the momentum of the game and they end up watching their opponent score.
Work ethic: it's what Capuano stresses repreatedly. Sadly I believe he does because only one line actually has pure talent, so hard work is all the Islanders have. With the Rangers winning in the shoot out last night, they better have all their players working hard for those two points or by the end of March, they will once again be on the outside of the playoff race just looking to play spoiler for someone else.
Personally, I'm getting tired of doing that math.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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