The Islanders were floundering last night trailing the Flyers 2-0 in the second period. In recent history this would have been another loss for the Isles. With the issues this team has shown playing in Philadelphia this could have easily have been a defeat. However, this Islander team is different. It has character, grit, determination and heart. This team is Matt Martin playing with a broken nose. This team is Johhny Boychuk taking a shot off the leg and playing through the pain. This team is Cal Clutterbuck crashing the net to tie the game then firing a wicked snipe in the shootout for the win. This is what simply separates this Islander team from years past and this is why the Islanders were able to come back and defeat the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout.
By no means was this game perfect last night and the Isles still have plenty to clean up moving forward but you have to tip your cap to the teams willingness to fight, scrap and take points when maybe they aren’t playing their best hockey. The Isles weren’t firing on all cylinders early in this game but they kept skating and found their game and started carrying the play. Steve Mason was very good for the Flyers but the Islanders kept coming and got their game in order.
We have talked at great length about the events that brought Cal Clutterbuck to Long Island. I don’t want to go down that road again and rehash a trade that will be viewed however the fanbase and critics want to examine but one thing is clear, you need players like Cal Clutterbuck to win in this league and what Cal provides to this team is invaluable to the Islanders success. Clutterbuck embraces his role and flourishes in it. He annoys, he agitates, he harasses but he also does whatever this team needs to help them win and last night he stepped up when the team needed him.
Last night’s win can hopefully right the ship of a three game losing streak. The Islanders will have their work cut out for them as they are on the road playing the Boston Bruins on Saturday and the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. You would think that Chad Johnson would play one of these two games this weekend and the Islanders can’t afford any more clunkers from him.
With the trade deadline less than a month away I do expect the Islanders to make some tweaks to the lineup. I have been told that they are in the market for a backup goalie and a veteran defenseman. I do not see any blockbuster moves up front at the forward position. From what I have been told there is a very good chance that injured forward Kyle Okposo will return before the expected six to eight weeks that he was listed to miss. If Okposo does return around the deadline it will be like acquiring a top line forward without giving up the assets. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.