Sat 10:57 pm:
It was JT’s 3rd hat trick of his career with an empty netter.

On the ice he said “The first game we came out a little slow.” But they fixed that. “ With our skill level and talent it will take a lot to hold us off the board.”

The difference is special teams and the power play has been far better. “We’re playing with confidence in the lead that we didn’t’ have before.”

The Islanders three headed Goalie Monster that everyone snickered out may prove to be their best asset. All three can come up big when they are needed. JT classifies them as “exceptional.” Nabokov in his first start as an Islander made 29 saves in the biggest rivalry he’ll see in this area. He can add this to his almost 300 NHL wins.

There was a brief injury scare in the third, but Nabby shook it off and continued to play the game. He made the saves he had to even though he hasn’t played an NHL game in 17 months.

The Rangers were 0 for 4 and have not scored a PP goal yet this season and remain one of three winless teams in the NHL (the Jets & the CBJ are the other two) They fly tomorrow to Vancouver, then Calgary Edmonton and Winnipeg before coming home to play their home opener in their renovated rink..

The Islanders top line has become lethal. Tavares, Moulson and Parenteau have confidence and swagger along with points. They had a combined 9 points. You can attribute a some of that productivity to JT’s improved skating ability and strength on his skates

The Isles went .2 for 8 on the PP as the Rangers held them off through five power plays and the Coliseum sold out crowd went back and forth in their chants The Isles even had a 44 second two man advantage, but they didn’t’ score on it. The Rangers probably thought they dodged a bullet there, but then JT scored on the ONE man advantage..

Again the Isles were faced with an empty net for the last minute and a half of the game, and again, the Rangers got hurt on JT’s empty netter.

John Tortorella’s post game press conference was typical for him - antagonistic. “After they scored their 3rd goal we couldn’t generate any momentum after that…That team played better than us. They were more disciplined than us.” When asked about the upcoming trip and the 13 day trip they just returned from, Torts lashed out. “Europe has nothing to do with tonight’s game.”

And that was the end of that.

Another two points for the Isles another loss for the Rangers. But the season is young.


8:27 pm: The Rangers spent a good amount of time in the box giving the Islanders plenty of PP time. From too many men on the ice to delay of game, the Isles had chance after chance.

Trevor Gillies even got a few shifts in where he showed that he knows how to play the game. Mark Streit seemed to never leave the ice and Travis Hamonic played like an NHL veteran.

John Tavares was denied by Lundquist once, but he couldn't save a second attempt and JT put the Isles up 2 - 1. The end to end action had us all screaming in the living room but a stroke of luck gave Prust the Ranger equalizer as the puck hit Frans Nielsen in the crease and managed to get behind Nabakov. Good luck for the Rangers bad luck for Nielsen.

Score was 2 - 2 at end of 2 and the SOG were pretty even as they headed to the dressing room
7:41 pm: "Good job of putting pucks where they need to be. We can do an even better job on our fore-check." Matt Moulson scores the first Islander goal in the Ranger/Islander rivalry of 2011-2012. When asked about Nabokov in net, he said he has a "Great attitude. He's been playing great today. Hopefully, he'll keep it up for another 2."

That was a beautiful short handed attempt by Frans Nielsen and some nice work by Josh Bailey. The Penalty Killers worked their magic and the Rangers were kept scoreless through the first.

10 am: Evgeni Nabakov gets a chance to prove he's still got it. This time he gets to prove it against the Rangers on the Nassau Coliseum ice. He told the attending media that he's looking forward to a great atmosphere.

Jack Capuano made the choice this morning to give the net to Nabby while the Big Cubano gets to see a game from the bench.

The Rangers come to the Coliseum after spending five days recovering from their European vacation that took them thirteen days and countless planes, trains and automobiles. Will the time off give them an advantage or a disadvantage tonight?

Will the Rangers without Sean Avery in the line-up be any different?

All this and more will be answered tonight, starting at 7 pm. Pre-game at 6:30. I'm going to be watching it from the couch from the safety of my living room. Let's see how often this time the new MSG guy screws up.

Art Staple said RDP has no ill effects from yesterday's workout -- so far. But he's still day-to-day.

Trevor Gillies has been activated off the IR. What.a.surprise.

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