It only took 80 games and 11 rookies to be in their lineup, but the New York Islanders played perhaps their most complete game of the season last night, shutting out the Canadiens in Montreal by the score of 2-0. The Islanders were the better team from opening faceoff to the final whistle, and if it wasn’t for the outstanding play of Habs’ goalie Carey Price, the Islanders would have ran away with this contest.
Montreal had a lot on the line in this game with potential home ice still in the balance for them. However, coming off of games on back-to-back nights, it appeared as their legs never go off the bus. It was quite possibly as complete and dominant a performance that we have seen from the Islanders all season.
Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson scored the two Islander goals in gorgeous fashion. Strome saw some time at wing and really stood out throughout the course of the game. On his goal, he curled off the half boards, found some open ice and fired a blast of a slap shot that beat Price to put the Isles up. Brock Nelson scored on a rush up the left wing and his beauty of a snipe beat Price clean to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead after two periods.
The Islanders did not sit on their laurels as they continued to carry the play for the remainder of the final period, ultimately concluding with the 2-0 victory. Brett Gallant dropped the gloves again and took on NHL tough guy George Parros. Gallant did not look out of place and, as each fighter landed some punches, Gallant finished strong taking the much bigger Parros down to the ice. If Gallant could improve this offseason with his stickhandling and increase his skating ability, he could have a chance of sticking on this roster.
The only negative last night was the injury to Johan Sundstrom. Sundstrom was cross-checked high and from behind by Habs d-man Douglass Murray, sending the rookie Islander into the boards head-first. Sundstrom left under his own power but was taken to the hospital for further testing. There is no word yet on his condition, but one has to expect that it is a concussion. Murray received a major penalty and game misconduct but will not face any supplementary discipline from the league.
The Islanders return to the ice tonight as they are in Newark to take on the New Jersey Devils. After the game tonight, they will be off tomorrow and conclude the season with a game in Buffalo Sunday against the Sabres. This season is long over, but the play of some of these Islander rookies will go a long way into defining their roles with the club next season. It is important that the likes of Strome and Nelson continue to grow and mature as they will be counted on for offense come October. As always, for more on all things hockey, please follow me on Twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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