The Islanders got a much needed notch in the win column last night defeating the Nashville Predators by a score of 3-1. The way the Islanders played and looked was as important as the results as the pounced all over a banged up and struggling Nashville team early.
The Isles were flying last night and it's amazing how much easier is it to play this game when you actually possess the puck. John Tavares scored a much needed power play goal in the first and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Kyle Okposo added markers as well. It was perhaps the best Bouchard has looked in an Islanders’ uniform to date.
Brock Nelson continued his strong play on the first line as he has created time and space by simply driving the net regularly. His play has been good enough to stay with Tavares and Okposo once injured forward Thomas Vanek returns. It will be interesting to see if perhaps Vanek joins Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey to spark that second line.
Kevin Poulin continues to impress between the pipes as he took a shutout late into the game. Poulin continues to look like a NHL goalie. His rebound control is much better and he looks more calm and relaxed in the net. I have certainly had my doubts about Poulin's NHL prospects and I hope he continues to prove me wrong. The Islanders did make a few mistakes last night leading to Preds’ chances but Poulin was there to snuff them out. This is something that has not been happening under the reign of Evgeni Nabokov as every mistake seems to end up in the back of the net.
The Islanders will hope to make it two in a row tomorrow night as they host the L.A. Kings. Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick was injured last night so it will be interesting to see who is between the pipes when they face off against the Islanders. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter @DanDanNoodles78.
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