Dallas Stars vs. New York Islanders [Game Thread]

Howie and friends confirm the change: Presenting Chris Campoli’s 2008-09 debut. Campoli sounds happy to be back. The feeling’s mutual.

Bergenheim is indeed set for the first line with Weight/Guerin, while Sim forms a new energy line with Nate Thompson and Hilbert.

Marty Turco: 2-4, 4.20 GAA, .841 save pct. Yikes.

“has impressed the coaching staff the last couple of games,” says Howie.

Shoot it, and they will come.

I wonder if Emblem Health knew, when they signed up as a sponsor, that their sponsored reports would entail no more than “lower body,” “upper body” and — only after the obvious is clear all the way to China — “hand surgery.”

“Feeling not well? Come, see us. We’ll tell you which hemisphere of your body is afflicted.”

Avery checked Pock after he passed the puck at center ice, then went for an extra gratuitous shove as Okposo dumped him from behind.

Do I blame myself for failing to out-jinx my fears of an Avery jinx ?

Howie: “Frankly, I don’t think there are enough Sean Averys in the NHL.”

Billy Jaffe: “Parts of his behavior are indefensible though.”

Again, I welcome the Vogue/fashion/new markets attention that Avery’s hobbies bring to the league, but it’s not worth the tasteless behavior that comes with him (for me).

“He’s in a lot of pain.”
—“A lot of pain.”
“And this is a guy who already plays in a lot of pain.”

Well then! Ten minutes in, and the news is not good from the front.

Receiving a hit in the corner, he knocked knees. Slo-mo wasn’t pretty, showing the knee bend (slightly) the wrong way. At the break, he goes to the locker room, and I doubt he’ll be back tonight.*

*I’m not a doctor or PT, and I’ve never stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

Comrie just set up Park for a break-in, then Okposo had a golden chance in the slot but shoots wide … play goes the other way and it’s 2-0 Dallas.

They’re telestrating the backcheck on the goal replays, but Thomas Pock on right D let Morrow skate by, then behind him, for the tap in.

Ribeiro blocked a clearing with what may have been a high stick, leading to the third goal. Gordon complains to the refs at the break, but of course … yes, Toronto has called in and apparently we’re not allowed a do-over. Good times!

During intermission, they air an interview with Bettman about the Lighthouse Project. I believe it’s a few weeks old, but essentially it’s Bettman throwing his support (duh) behind it and saying approvals are well overdue.

The period starts with a fracas after Stephan Robidas — a clean player who made a poor split-second move — knees Trent Hunter. In the scrum, Bergie steps up and goes to the box, but the Isles get a 5-on-3 and promptly … hit the post three times on one play! There’s just no luck tonight. The Isles have been moving well, creating chances, but transitions and a few mistakes have equaled three easy goals for Dallas, who needed it after last night’s spanking.

Meanwhile, domestic duties call, so I’ll be stepping away now and catching the rest on Tivo later …

So, I caught up on the 2nd half of the game. Bitter pill tonight: The Islanders did not play all that poorly, but every bounce went the wrong way, and all of their well-earned mistakes were punished ruthlessly. Once it was 3-0, though, they were not coming back with the effort on this night.

Nice to see Guerin on the board, see Bergenheim’s nice pass, and to Streit finish a nice powerplay sequence. Don’t wanna think about Witt…