Five years ago, an Islander PR guy told me to change the number "55" on my Isles necklace to a number 57 because -- "Blake's the real deal." I told him no I would not. I am pretty glad I did.

Once Blake Comeau was put on waivers, everyone knew it wouldn't be long until he was picked up. Hello Calgary. Goodbye Comeau.

Hello Al Montoya. Activated off the IR and put between the pipes to face the Devils. Nino is still out of the line-up and the questions regarding his health loom large.

So does the outcome of this game against the Devils.

Michael Haley went three rounds with Jansenn early in the first and the Isles had 3 power play oortunities before the 5:30 mark of the first. No one managed to get on the board.

David Ullstrom has please a noticeable game while up with the Islanders so far. Al Montoya has made classic saves but has also done his best impression of Rick DiPietro playing the puck. NO NO NO.

This is a game of who will blink first? Hedberg or Montoya. Now that I see the new sweaters on the big screen in my den -- It should be Hedberg because the orange is blinding.


End of scoreless first and Matt Martin does the between period interview. Asked about the start this afternoon he says he doesn't think they could do it any better and will have to continue to carry it through the game.

Haley played in Bridgeport and plays like Martin. "He's got a lot of heart." Having Haley in the line-up is a great help to Martin who can concentrate on his game and not just who his next dance partner is.

The Islanders are not well known for being able to win during afternoon games. Even Butch Goring said he could never be up for afternoon games and didn't get going until 7 pm. Let's see if that trend continues.

Second Period:

John Tavares is double teamed every time he's on the ice and he took acception to Zach Parise's check. Nothing came of it though. Michael Haley and Matt Martin are truly the energy on this team. They had excellent chances to get the puck in the net. But it wasn't to be.

Kyle Okposo definitely did a lot of thinking while he was sitting out those three games. He has been a different player. After seeming a little uncomfortable before the TV Time out, I'm hoping he's okay.

During a Michael Grabner hooking penalty, Sykora put the Devils on the board giving Adam Larsson an assist with 5:47 left of the second. It seemed to bang off the post and behind Montoya.

So why wasn't a high sticking penalty called on Kovalchuk for clipping Matt Martin? Interesting.

3rd period:

Michael Grabner is going to kick himself in the butt for missing an open net due to a poke check on him. He looked up tot he rafters in disbelief.

The Isles played excellent hockey during the first period. They need to bring that momentum to the third.


Travis Hamonic takes a high sticking penalty and Michael Grabner had a short handed chance on a turnover. Grabner was taken down by Larsson and awarded a penalty shot. He stood at center ice huffing and puffing and thinking. I was thinking too about how many wide open nets Michael has missed lately.

He missed again.

Zach Parise playing a very chippy game today takes a penalty for hitting MacDonald up high. This gives the Isles a power play opportunity to even up the score.

They were 0 for 4 with 7 power play shots and nothing but bruises to show for it. I can't wait to see the number of blocked shots there is in this game.

The isles call a time out with 1:48 left of the third. Scotty Allen draws up the plan and Al Montoya is on the bench. Dangerous play for the Isles as they lose the puck to Clarkson who misses an empty net. Elias, who can usually pull a goal out of his butt to win against the Isles, missed the net as well.

The Final minute of the game and Streit brings it up to Parenteau to Tavares who has the best chance of the entire 60 minutes to score. It bobbles above Hedberg and Kyle Okposo waits to try to bat it into the net without using a high stick.

Another chance in front of Hedberg's net and the clock is moved from 5.7 to 6.4, but it doesn't matter. The Isles are shut out again on home ice.

This type of game makes my life at home very difficult. The family starts yelling and screaming at me about how bad the Isles are as if I actually have anything to do with it.

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