The Islanders got in the imaginary win column last night with a 5-3 preseason win over the New Jersey Devils in Newark. More importantly though the Islanders avoided any injuries last night as news came out that Islander forward Cal Clutterbuck will miss 4 to 6 weeks with a skate laceration suffered against the Flames earlier in the week.
The Islanders team that took the ice last night mostly resembled a combination of junior and AHL players but the regulars that did play were the best players on the ice. Josh Bailey scored two shorthanded goals both assisted by Kyle Okposo. Eric Boulton; when not in the penalty box scored a breakaway goal late in the first and new acquired center Peter Regin also scored on a partial breakaway.
Many though wanted to see how the kids would play. For the most part they were noticeable for the right reasons. Anders Lee got the scoring underway beating Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur early in the first. The goal was assisted by Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome. The trio of Islander prospects played a solid game overall. The game also featured numerous fight including a hat trick of scraps from Sound Tiger forward Brett Gallant. Gallant fights like he has no concern for his own well-being; I respect that quality in a fighter and he may be a better long solution as Islander enforcer than Eric Boulton.
The young Islander blue liners played a solid game. There were a few shaky plays but for the most part the likes of Griffin Reinhart, Scotty Mayfield and Andrey Pedan did not look out of place. Former Quinnipiac University defenseman Mike Dalhuisen stood out with his physical play and he willingness to drop the gloves. I have seen him play numerous times in college and Dalhuisen will be an interesting player to keep an eye on in Bridgeport this season.
Kevin Poulin played the entire game last night giving up three goals. The first two were scored on deflections and the third was a screen shot. We all know this is preseason and I didn’t go crazy after the Isles split-squad losses, I’m not going overboard after a win. With that being said I am still very skeptical with Kevin Poulin as a NHL goalie. If you have been on this board for years you know my opinion of the young netminder. I do not think he has the skill set to be a successful goalie at the pro level. Poulin has the mantra of making the amazing save while the routine save eludes him at times. If Poulin is going to be on the roster, the Islanders have to play air tight defense on nights he is between the pipes. I want to keep an open mind but the body of work that I have seen of Poulin leads me back to the same word; skeptical.
I don’t want to throw a wet blanket on last night’s win. It was a quality effort and it’s always good to get in the win column even if it isn’t a regular season game. It was a good chance for the veteran players to show that the rust is gone and a great opportunity for the young kids to stand out. Moving forward the Islanders play the Devils again tomorrow night at the Barclays center marking the first Islanders game ever in Brooklyn. When rosters and lineups come out for tomorrow’s game I will pass them along to you. With it being in Brooklyn I would expect an Islander roster that will be close to resembling the final one we see on opening night.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»