Two Outta Three Ain’t Bad
So it’s not a streak -- yet, but the Islanders have managed to pull off two half-way decent wins sandwiching the loss to the powerhouse Anaheim Ducks (who won again last night).
Maybe the Islanders are finally figuring it out. John Tavares had told reporters only the night before “If we knew (what the problem was), we would obviously fix it.” Of course they would. They’re trying.
Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said “The bottom line is we played catch-up all night long,” Babcock continued. “I thought we made it easy on their team. We never got in on their D, we weren’t physical like we have been, or heavy in the offensive zone. We had a push in the third period when we hit a couple of posts, but reality is, catch-up hockey is losing hockey, we say that all the time. You have to start on time, do things well.
Then again, playing against a team who has a similar string of loses, an 11-game winless streak in shootouts, it only took an early lead to carry them. Three goals in the first period and excellent goaltending by Nabokov for the balance gave the Isles and Nabby their FIRST shut-out of the season.
Michael Grabner found the net again about four minutes after Kyle Okposo put the Isles on the board midway through the first period from a beautiful pass from John Tavares. Rookie goalie Petr Mrazek got the start even though up until warm-ups, everything though it would be Jonas Gustavsson. He made 16 stops on only 19 shots. The veteran on the other end had to make only 23.
Casey Cizikas gave the Isles their third goal of the first period and spent much of his time on the ice trying to feed Matt Martin for a goal of his own as his parents were in the stands. It didn’t happen.
While Thomas Vanek had said the Isles let frustrations with bad calls get the best of them in their last loss, last night’s game didn’t see a whistle until 13:11 of the third when Nabokov was called for tripping.
Really? How does that happen?
Well, two points are two points. Butch Goring is asking Santa for 30 more wins for the Isles. They will need them to get into playoff contention. Right now, it’s time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and blessed Holiday.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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