On Thursday Al Montoya kept the Islanders in the game till the very end as the team in front of him had a horrible game. Tonight the Islanders did just about everything right as Rick DiPietro had a tough night. Two soft goals within 22 seconds in the first period (including another goal almost directly off the faceoff) was the difference in the game. He wasn't helped at all though by a PP that went 0-4 and an inability to finish some great chances. Sergei Bobrovsky also had an incredible game for the Flyers as he continued his undefeated streak against the Islanders.
Game Sum | Event Sum | H2H | Corsi | Recaps: NHL - BSH - Isles
Things started off interesting to say the least, as Micheal Haley and Dan Carcillo dropped the gloves two seconds into the game. 20 seconds later and Zenon Konopka was fighting Sean O'Donnell. It was curious to say the least, and considering this was the Isles first game against the Flyers without Trevor Gillies in a while it makes you wonder if the Isles wanted to make a point early.
With Andrew MacDonald not in the lineup the rest of the defense stepped up, holding the Flyers to 22 shots and only 15 through the first two periods. His minutes were spread out, as Ty Wishart and Bruno Gervais both had 18 minutes, Radek Martinek and Jack Hillen had 20 minutes and Travis Hamonic had 19:50. The chances were there for the Islanders, especially Michael Grabner and Kyle Okposo. Okposo continues his streak of just being absolutely snake-bitten when given excellent chances.
Game Highlights
Thoughts and Notes
- James van Riemsdyk had his first career hat trick. This feels like the second or third time this year someone's had their first hattie against the Isles.
- Blake Comeau scored the Islanders lone goal, it's amazing what happens when he drives towards the net.
- Although Grabner had some scoring chances, he wasn't able to get a breakaway.
- Matt Martin was given a major following his fight with Sean O'Donnell in the third
- Jack Hillen was a -3 on the night and Milan Jurcina was a -2. Everyone else was either -1 or even.
- Mentioned during the broadcast was that the Islanders have only 6 wins out of 28 games in which they've outshot the opposition.
- Matt Moulson led the team with 6 shots, Ty Wishart was right behind him at 5.
As if everything didn't already go wrong with my predictions in the pregame thread, it seems like both my streaks have blown up. Not only did the Isles lose both games in which I wrote the recap, but the opposition got a hat trick. Oh well, all good things must come to an end. Prospect report tomorrow (hopefully including more info on Brock Nelson's injury). Bit of a break for the Islanders as the next game is Wednesday against the Devils who are desperately clinging to playoff dreams. Also returning for the Devils is Islander Killer Zach Parise.