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Who had 10/14/11 In the RDP Injury Pool? & Game Recap |
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Say it ain't so, D'OH!
Yes, it is said on Twitter by Art Staple who used "BREAKING NEWS" in his Tweet so you KNEW it was important, Rick DiPietro has been diagnosed with a concussion from the puck to the helmet and is "out indefinitely."
My husband had November 5th in the RDP Injury pool. It looks like he loses.
Okay, and here is last night's game recap.... finally.
Was it a full moon? Maybe. But it seems the players connected to the Islanders were doing pretty well under these skies. Ryan Strome had a hat trick in his first game back with The Ice Dogs. Nice way to celebrate your return.
The Isles blew out the Tampa Bay Lightening with a score of 5 - 1. It all started with a Victor Hedman mistake that was credited as John Tavares’ first goal of the season. That set the tone for the night as John Tavares and Victor Hedman seemed to be at odds with each other. Hedman knocked JT around enough for him to leave the bench before the game was “officially” over.
The fourth line was very effective and Matt Martin was more than noticeable. He seems to be able to do it all. Jack Capuano said “That line, for the games were played up to this point, has been our most consistent line. They make the opposition come 200 feet. They block a lot of shots.”
The on ice celebration was good to see. But there was a difference. It seems that Mark Streit requested the team form two receiving lines for the three stars of the game. Montoya and Moulson laughed as they were called out to the line-up. But when John Tavares was called out to be honored as the first star, Reasoner took his place and his team mates got a good laugh. They then tossed tee shirts out to the crowd.
Moulson was interviewed by the new MSG on ice. Of course Matty had a few unusual answers along with the obvious ones. What was the difference in the game? “We stuck to our game plan for 60. We got some good fore-checking and put pucks to the net. We got some lucky bounces in the beginning.” Okay, that’s the normal stuff. Then he said they were talking on the bench about how it took them five games to find their winning ways so he’d like to play a few more exhibition games next season. “We need to play four. The fifth one we’re ready to go.”
For the game Saturday against the Rangers he’d like to see a packed barn.
This was the first time I’ve seen Deb Placey’s replacement. I can say this honestly -- I don’t like him. I’ve never seen an on-air personality mess up as much as he did.
The Islanders top line of Tavares, Moulson and Parenteau played like a top line. Their chemistry is paying off. Butch Goring called them “flawless" and "Unselfish."
The Islanders 2nd line has speed most of their goals come from turnovers. Kyle Okposo had the assist on Michael Grabner’s goal tonight. Grabner could have had one or two more, but they missed the net.
As Howie and Butch said, it was a solid effort from top to bottom as a group. Jack Capuano felt the same way.
Michael Grabner was interviewed post game in the downstairs MSG studio. It was painful to watch. The only notable and worthwhile comment from Grabs40 was regarding his goal off the Okposo rebound. “They tried to make a move and we got the turnover. We were kind of laughing about; it could have gone in by itself.” Nyuck Nyuck. Tell that to Dwayne Roloson that was chased from the crease in his old home rink.
In his postgame appearance before the media, Jack Capuano was so subdued it almost seemed as if they lost. “You can always tighten up in the D zone for sure. When it was 4 - 1, you can’t play to the score, it’s a zero - zero game. Our puck management could have been better.”
He was happy with his top line, but you couldn’t tell by the tone of his voice. “They worked hard and they get rewarded for it.”
Capuano admitted his star player puts a lot of pressure on himself. But when he plays relaxed he does the little things right. “I thought he was the best player on the ice.”
When JT spoke with Stan Fischler, he complimented Al Montoya for great goaltending. When asked about his goals, he told Stan with a smile “It’s always nice to break the ice and get a positive feeling and get rewarded.”
John also complimented his buddy Matt Moulson when Stan asked if Moulson was “the real deal?" “Moulson is for real, for sure. He finds a way of getting in front of the net. He’s got some more vision this year. Our chemistry off the ice helps us on the ice. It’s been a good start and we’re excited to get going.”
While JT left the ice before the game was officially over, it was only because he was “cramping up.” It's nothing to be overly concerned with. Or so we are told.
Al Montoya, who will STILL be known as the Big Cubano, had high praise for Tavares as well. “You see what he does in practice. He’s a special player every single night.”
When it comes to understanding the confidence Jack Capuano is showing Al, he can only call it “big.” He knows the situation and who else is sitting on that bench – waiting. “I’m happy to get the opportunity…”
Mike Mottau had the usual hockey cliché’s for Stan, “We managed the puck well. Got the puck deep. Established the fore-check.” Okay, NEXT!
And NEXT – is the dreaded Blueshirts!
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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