Thurs 10:13 pm: Matt Martin talked about learning to play a full 60 minutes. This time the Isles only played 40. But they managed a superior comeback from a TWO goal deficit. Does it always have to be so difficult?
Toronto was strong in the first period and it looked like it was all over for the Isles and then they found a way to turn it around. They just outplayed them . Brad Boyes with one goal and two assists had his first 3 point game since 2011. He must be getting comfortable on the team.
Jack Capuano wasn‘t gushing over the win. “It’s getting better. It’s gonna get better.” When he discussed Brad Boyes he told Peter that they spoke to him “…about moving his feet. When he gets going he can have that punch for us.”
Jack talked about the mistakes and the fact that they need to take ownership of them. “The second and third exemplified the way we need to play.”
Capuano felt Aucoin played quality minutes and played offensively for them. The goal was a bonus. Nabokov turned his game around after the first period and came up big late in the game.
The Isles will have the same challenge tomorrow night that the Leafs had tonight. It’s almost a given that Rick DiPietro will be in net tomorrow. The game will certainly be interesting.
Thurs 9:31 pm:With 2:05 left of the third, on a defensive breakdown for the Isles gives Frattin an opportunity to beat Nabokov since he didn't know where the puck was. That made it 6 - 4 Isles. It was almost 6 - 5 as Keith Aucoin saves Nabokov's butt but keeping the puck just on the line before it entered the net.
Keith Aucoin was called for a penalty for putting his hand on the puck during a faceoff. So with only 1:40 left of the third, and an empty net, the Leafs have a 2 man advantage.
Michael Grabner steals the puck from Phaneuf at the blue line and dances around with the puck along the boards and just waits him out and manages a goal on a spinaround move.
Thurs 9:21 pm:Matt Moulson scored after Dion Phaneuf creamed John Tavares along the boards to the right of the Leafs net. There was no call on the play as Tavares was slow to get up wonder where the hell the refs were looking.
As soon as the goal was scored, Carkner went to introduce himself to Phaneuf. Luckily, some zebras interrupted and sent Carkner to the box for roughing. Luckily JT was out for his next regular shift. However, Nielsen will be sore tomorrow after blocking a shot late in the third.
Thurs 9:05 pm:Well, the Leafs exhaustion from last night is now visible. Scrivens is pulled from the net after both Michael Grabner and Keith Aucoin score for the Isles within a blink.
Capuano wanted 'secondary' scoring? I believe he has it.
Thurs 8:27 pm: Okay, I spoke too soon. Two goals in 1:26 as Brad Boyes gets his 1st goal of the season as an Islander. They have taken the play away from the Leafs. Than you howie. But it has made the game a little more exciting.
Now, who get's the next one?
Thurs 8:24 pm:The Isles with a power play opportunity looked like they were on the PK instead. Just when I was giving up hope, John Tavares created opportunity and a beautiful play that looked choreographed that ended with Mark Streit scoring his first of the season and cutting the deficit in half.
The goal seemed to energize the Isles and "the Isles have taken over the momentum of the game." Thank you Butchie.
Thurs 8:12 pm: Even when the Isles look like they are doing something right, the Leafs get the puck from them. This game will get ugly come the third period for sure.
Thurs 8:06 pm: First period over and the Isles trail 3 - 1. Slow start, defensive lapses and one 'garbage goal' by Matt Moulson.
Thurs 11:08 am: Jack has made his decision and Nabby will make his third consecutive start. Can he do it? Of course he can!
Thurs 7:15 am: WAKE UP!!!
It's Isles Away-Game-Day and time to drag out the blue white and orange and wear it to work -- finally! The isles will be at the rink early this morning for warm ups after having two days off. Hopefully they have found a little chemsitry together after spending some time together.
Will we see Thomas Hickey?
Will John Tavares score more points than the Leafs JVR? How many relatives will he have to pay for tickets for?
Will Nabokov stop more shots than Reimer? I am assuming Nabby gets the start and that Rick will see the ice some time during the eight day road trip. But not today. Not after the Leafs gave the Pens such a hard way to go.
So many questions to be answered tonight that the suspense is very exciting.
For those who will be joining me on Twitter, SwedishIslander told me that Sweden uses a hashtag all the time #TwittPuck. I like it. Join in the conversation there and find Isles fans from all over the world.
Wed 10 pm: This from today's practice on ITV, watch John Tavares talk about playing in his old home town.
http://video.islanders.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6&id=195285&cmpid=embed-share-video
Oddly, tonight the Leafs stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins with a score of 5 - 2. From all accounts the Leafs outplayed the Pens tonight and the score proved it.
James Van Riemsdyk scored twice for the Leafs and Colton Orr fought Deryk Engelland. Crosby and Malkin scored for the Pens, but that's all the Leafs defense allowed them to get passed Reimer.
The Islanders will have their work cut out for them.
The Leafs may be a little tired, but they'll have the sweet taste of this win to carry them into tomorrow night's tilt.
This one will be interesting for sure.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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