The Islanders have a new name for the month; “The Comeback kids.” For the fans, it’s more like the heart-attack kids. Why they can’t just get a lead and stick with it, I don’t know. It only took Rick Nash 1:02 to score on Kevin Poulin, setting the stage for a Rangers’ win. Ten minutes later, Nash did it again. It was deflating to everyone but the Isles.
With an incomplete Isles change, Matt Martin was on the ice with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. With Tavares behind the net, Martin was in the right place at the right time in front of the net and at 17:22 of the first, Martin cut the Rangers lead in half.
The Islander fans that made their way in the snow storm showed their appreciation while the Ranger fans in the house were mum. With the confidence boost, Martin made his presence known, especially to the officials who were a man short last night. At 8:45 of the second, Matt Martin was given a roughing penalty for a pushing match with Brian Boyle. Boyle didn’t join him in the sin bin. Martin let his displeasure be known since Boyle was not innocent in the matter.
When Chris Kreider scored a power play goal that put the Rangers up 3 - 1, Martin’s penalty was being called “disgraceful,” “joke,” crap,” and “2 minutes for being an Islander” by those on Twitter. Butch Goring was thrilled with the penalty either.
Watching the game, many thought that John Tavares wasn’t himself. He seemed to be sloppy making terrible decisions and turnovers. Vanek was guilty of the same. Jack Capuano wasn’t happy with his top line and told the media he had thought of separating them, but rode it out. His top stars became the set up men and Vanek and Okposo were given the assists on Thomas Hickey’s goal that made it 3-2 at 13:22 of the second. Three minutes later, with Tavares on the ice, Colin McDonald tied the game banging home a rebound after Talbot made the save on JT.
What? Martin, Hickey and McDonald were the Isles first three goal scorers against the Rangers? How does that happen? Who cares. It happened.
Kevin Schultz had the best idea of the Twitter night saying all Islanders games will now be played on the road, will start in the second period and have an automatic 2 goal deficit. That seems to be the formula.
Kevin Poulin seems to get better as games drag on forgetting about that quick goal he gave up to Rick Nash. Later he made the save of his season by stacking his pads and robbing Nash of a hat trick.
Vanek had a horrible turnover at 9:19 of the third that left him having to chase down Rich Nash. Of course, his faux pas was forgiven when he scored with 4:38 left of the third giving the Isles the lead. It was a power play goal as the Rangers had their own miscue and were called for a too-many-men penalty. It was a gift from the Rangers and one we’ll thank them for.
The last few minutes of the game had everyone on the edge of their seats with their hearts in their mouths. The Isles fourth line seemed to be out there for the entire time as Poulin was peppered with shots (okay only three that got through), but there were no whistles and no way to get a line change in almost two and a half minutes.
When they finally did get a whistle from a puck hitting the netting, Matt Martin fell to his knees on the ice and stayed their to catch his breath. The Rangers pulled Talbot to get the equalizer and called a time out with only 20.2 seconds left, but Frans Nielsen skated into the Rangers zone alone and nonchalantly put the puck in the empty net with .061 seconds left.
Isles win in a hostile building. Jack said in between periods they talked about how they needed to play in the third period and mentioned commitment, focus and determination. He admitted, as always, that fourth line did exactly what they needed to do but felt he didn’t have all his guys going.
When Jack was asked about the play of Thomas Vanek he said “Vanek delivers. Sometimes you notice him some times you don’t. But ha always on the score sheet.”
Josh Bailey was not on the score sheet. Again. Both Bailey and Martinek seemed to be irking fans all game. On the other hand, Brock Nelson is turning into a face-off machine winning 11 of 15 draws.
On the Vanek contract front, the only news was from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun who published some glowing comments from Vanek’s agent regarding how the Isles have treated Thomas. The decision has not been made, but at least we know that he is not miserable here.
However, he also knows that if there is no deal before the March trade deadline, he’ll be shipped off someplace so that the Isles get something in return.
Tough business this NHL Hockey. It’s not for the meek.
Isles have the day off today.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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