The interview on the NHL Hour almost overshadowed the game at the Rock between two teams that are fighting for last place. I expected only 15 to 20 minutes of interview with Charles Wang and Garth Snow, it took almost the full hour. All phone calls except for one were from Islander fans looking for answers.

Gary Bettman set the stage for the interview by telling a story about how he was repeated asked in 2004 what the league was going to do about a franchise that was struggling with attendance and finances. That team was the Chicago Blackhawks. Things seemed to turn out pretty good in the long run.

As often as callers tried to get Cahrles Wang to say he would look at Queens or Brooklyn, he continued to hold his stance that Long Island his home and that is where he would like the Islanders to stay. He also explained the Islanders are not currently for sale.

Mr. Bettman did not filter the calls or the questions. I would suggest you listen to the podcast on NHL.com for yourself. That way you can hear the answers about drafting Cody Rosen, the fact that Bryan Trottier is still with the organization and how spending on players has not been easy.

Both men were in the XM studio at the NHL store in NY. I wonder who drove.

Back at the Rock, Radek Martinek was not draping himself all over Kovalchuk as he was out of the line-up due to that sore wrist curtesy of Chara.

The game was chippy from the get-go as Matt Moulson was leveled by Volchenkov and left the ice early in the first. Konokpa battled with Mair and then Josh Bailey decided to make the Devils pay but getting one past Brodeur at 3:09 of the first. He repeated the performance again at 5:39 on a power play sitting in Marty's lap.

While John Tavares was getting hit up high every time he was on the ice, rather than whine about it, he put the Isles up 3 - 0 with one over Brodeur's shoulder. Take that Devils!

Matt Moulson returned to the bench and to the ice, but didn't skate on his usual line. Maybe he wasn't quite sure what day it was. He did seem to be knocked into Sunday.

The Devils were extremely frustrated and got one back at 1:21 of the second. The Devils must have had one heck of a pep talk in the locker room after the first, because they out skated and out shot the Islanders. Things looked bleek when Konopka was called for delay of game with my least favorite penalty: puck over the glass. But Josh Bailey stole the puck on a short handed chance and headed towards Brodeur. He didn't get the hat trick but Frans Nielsen was right there to knock in the rebound while Marty couldn't recover in the crease.

4 - 1 on a short handed goal by Frans Nielsen and the game wasn't over.

The Isles started the third down a man as Michael Grabner was in the box. Dwayne Roloson and the PK were tested but didn't falter. With the teams at even strenght at 3:15 of the third Blake Comeau took a pass from Rob Schremp and shot it over Brodeur's shoulder to put the Isles up 5 - 1.

In an effort to even things out, the refs called Comeau for tripping at 5:29. No problem, it just gave Frans Nielsen another short handed chance. That one didn't go in.

As Butch and Howie kept mentioning, it was strange to hear the fans booing Marty Brodeur. Marty, effing, Brodeur is getting booed in his home arena. How sad. Also funny how they kept saying Lemaire shouldn't have taken Lou's phone call to come coach. Loved the "That's why caller ID comes in very handy." line from Howie earlier in the broadcast.

At 9:01 the Islanders announced that Matt Moulson would not return to the game and will be evaluated tomorrow. He is being kept from returning as a precaution. This had better not be serious, but either way, I would like the league to please look at that hit on Matt's HEAD.

Interesting observation by Howie and Butchie regarding Jack Capuano's coaching in this game. While so many of us questioned Jack's ability to coach at the NHL level, it seems that perhaps the team as well as the coaching staff have turned a corner. But what Howie found interesting was that Jack was facing the players and talking to the defense and the forwards looking at them with his back to the ice.

Goring said when you're coaching sometimes you wonder if the players are listening since you're talking to the back of their heads.

With under two minutes left, Konopka and Clarkson claw at each other's faces. Konopka was really looking for Volchenkov, but Clarkson wanted the dance. The problem is Jack kept Gillies out of this line-up and Matt Martin is serving his second game of suspension. They were a little bloody and Konopka was hailed by his team mates as he left the ice

While the two points are a nice Christmas Gift for the Islanders confidence, the possibility of losing Matt Moulson is the coal in the stocking.

Dwayne Roloson let out a deep exhale as he left the ice after facing 35 shots. Our 41-year-old goalie can still stand on his head proving the reason why Garth Snow gave him a two year deal for a nice chunk of change. He's worth every penny of it.

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