The Isles were “a half a step behind” most of the game -- according to a guy who would know: Butch Goring. Games against the NJ Devils are never very exciting, and this one was no different. There were a few interesting factors though. A Long Islander in net for the Devils, the return of Casey Cizikas and the absence of Michael Grabner. Then there is the oldest player in the NHL along with another Scott Gomez, who ended with a goal and an assist point.

Yep, there were plenty of interesting items in this game, and yet, it was slow and lack-luster. Marek Zidlicky put the Devils on the board first at 12:15 of the first with assists from Jagr and Gomez. That same line scored again three minutes later with Gomez getting the goal point. And just like it, it was 1999. (Thank you Ms. Kitty.)

Matt Martin told a rowdy crowd that they were disappointed in their play after the first and the coaching staff told them they weren’t happy about it. (At one point Doug Weight was yelling to shoot the puck.)

At 1:51 of the second period, Josh Bailey found himself with a clear path to Keith Kinkaid and just took the shot. It beat him and the Devils’ lead was cut in half. There were no other goals and no penalties in the second period, but the Devils were still leading.

At the four minute mark of the third, corresponding penalties to Helgesen and Tavares. Tavares had a rough game tonight, including a slashing penalty at 18:11 on Zidlicky that should have been a lot worse since it was a spear. But I digress.

Confidence; you don’t buy it. And the Isles fourth line has a ton of it. Howie Rose said it, “This fourth line may be the best fourth line in the NHL” Who’da thought? When would anyone believe it would be Matt Martin to tie a game midway in the third? But that’s just what happened. Cizikas and deHaan with the helpers and hugs, along with Strome.

Josh Bailey had the game on his stick during overtime, but it took more than 65 minutes to settle this score, once again, it took a shoot out. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t Frans Nielsen to put the Isles closer to that second point, it was Kyle Okposo and ultimately Josh Bailey.


Bailey was named first star of the game, but it didn’t seem to phase him. He told Shannon Hogan, “It’s always fun to contribute. We didn’t have our best game, but we found a way to win. That’s what good teams do.” Exactly!


Matt Martin, (after being serenaded by a crowd with his own song) told Shannon again about the confidence the teams has as well as the impact on his line that having Casey Cizikas back made. “They got two goals early and we just came out and found ways to climb back. We know we can come back from any deficit.” He also joked about having to find a way not to blow three goal leads.


Jack was smiling, but not quite as funny in his post game. “We’re that stingy team right now.” The Devils have always done a good job of being a ‘structured’ team (read boring). But the Isles found a way to not give them too much room. When Capuano was asked about Matt Martin’s game, as lights flickered he told them “Matty just plays the same way all the time. Obviously he’s shooting a few more pucks. What you see is what you get. He plays every shift like it’s game 7 of the Stanley cup.” That is quite the compliment from your head coach. But he also was brutally honest about how “Some guys need to play a little bit better and they know that. That’s a sign of a good hockey team. You got a handful of guys struggling a little and others step up.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Strome has as many assist points as John Tavares. Ahem.

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