11:21 pm: To a man, in the locker room, the Islanders said they were not happy with their game. The two points mattered, but that wasn't the type of game they know they have to play in order to continue to win.
Each said they know what they need to do and when they get away from it, Nabby bails them out. Mart Streit admitted he was scared when he saw Nabokov go down, but Jack said he know Kevin Poulin would be able to do the job.
Casey Cizikas, who did not return to the game, was still smiling in the locker room according to Matt Martin. Hopefully, he will not be lost for long, if at all.
They know they have never been in this position before, they have to stay focused. They are not looking past the next game so as to not get ahead of themselves. "It's so close we can taste it." said Matty Marts, but first they have to get past this road trip.
And that will start on Thursday.
9:36 pm: Another great save by Nabby and a broken stick for Grabner.
Now the crowd is really really loud in their playoff chant.. 2:05 to go and now Joensuu is called for a penalty.
Obviuosly the refs are trying to give the Panthers a way to save face.
Panthers take a time out.
We know they're going to win, so I have to shut down now.
9:30 pm: The last few minutes of this game have become a little slow. None of us are really watching. but while we're not watching the Panthers are increaseing their shot count. Now 27 to 23 in favor of the Isles.
This may be a long night as they will be doing the jersey auction after the game. While that's a great charity fund raiser, I still liked it better when it was random winners from the audience. The excitement that caused was just nuts.
This is cool, but you're buying the jersey.
Interesting the crowd kept singing the Kiss song after the music stopped playing.
Travis Hamonic is called for tripping with 5:38 left of the third. Lousey call, but maybe it will make things interesting again.
9:15 pm: Nabokov doesn't seem worse for the wear as he is making some excellent saves.
Andy MacDonald takes a tripping penalty with 12:45 left of the third period. Not exactly what they need right now.
The fan appreciation prizes keep coming! Lots of folks going home tonight with some great prizes. None of us in the press room will be. LOL
9:11 pm: Ugh, official announcement that Cizikas will not return to the game. Upper body injury. No kidding. And not good.
Good observation by Brad Kurtzberg: "Who would have thought the Isles would have five goals and Tavares would have no points? How many times has THAT happened this season?"
Uhhhhhh.... none?
9:06 pm: Still no Cizikas to start the third period. uh oh.
Interesting to see so many writers taking phone photos of Gordie Howe in the break room.
8:47 pm: Kyle was one second away from his FIFTH goal of the season, but he ran out of time -- and shot wide.
8:39 pm: Nabby stays in, but we may have lost Cizikas. Art Staple has noticed he hasn't returned to the bench since blocking a shot with his arm.
Not cool!
8:31 pm: This is not good. Nabokov is run into and looks like his head hits the post. His helmet goes flying and he stays on the ice waiting for the trainer. He doesn't look comfortable but he stays in anyway.
Colin McDonald just delivered a hit that sent a mouthguard flying. No call on the hit and the crowd is behind the Islanders.
It's going to get ugly. They need to get out of this period to settle down.
8:22 pm: Panthers make it interesting as Nabby was swimming outside his net Goc makes it 5 -2.
And meanwhile back on Twitter, Art Staple announces that TSN is reporting an outdoor game between Rangers & Isles on 1/29 at Yankee Stadium as part of a six pack of outdoor NHL games.
I guess they're just trying to make back the money they lost this year. Wow. As Brad Kurtzberg said -- Overkill!
8:11 pm: Radek Martinek with a beautiful goal makes it 4 - 1 on a one timer. And I'm thinking Denis Gorman may be right when he said this game will end 5 - 1.
Uh... yeah Now it's 5 - 1 as Grabner nets his second of the game on a turnover from his backhand. Nice moves Grabs40.
Panthers take a time out and replace their goalie.
And the crowd chants "We want playoffs!"
8:42 pm: Michael Grabner makes the breakaway count this time as he makes it 3 - 1.
But the Panthers are getting a little annoyed. Pile up on Cizikas and a fight with Joensuu that took a few seconds to break up.
Shots on goal are doubled at 14 - in favor of the Isles. Zeeker gets a tripping and roughing penalty and JT ends up in the box to serve it with Cizikas.
Amac without a stick as the Isles are down a man. It didn't take long for #7 Kulikov to bang one past Nabby. Penalty is over. Full strength with less than two minutes to go in the first period.
7:36 pm: A cross check to the back of McDonald earns the Isles a power play chance. A stick to the chin of Matt Moulson earns the Isles a 5 on 3 chance. After some miscues, Streit finds the twine and the Isles are up 2 - 0 in the first.
It was almost a 2 - 1 game but Visnovsky played goal at five feet in front of Nabby to block a shot with his knees!
7:23 pm: Matt Moulson scores the first goal of the game at 8:01 of the first with Hickey and Visnovsky helpers, even though it looked like Matt Marts touched it also.
7:19 pm: Josh Bailey in the box for holding and crowd has a wonderful sound to it. Almost that canned applause. It's so perfect. The crowd for a Tuesday is an awesome one and they are into it as they chant "Defense!"
Nabby the best PK on the team.
A little pile up against the boards with Hamonic in the center, but nothing comes of it.
7:07 pm: And Matt Martin wins the Bob Nystrom award once again. A great choice!
The moment of silence for those who suffered through the Boston Marathon attack as even the screen was dark. Our prayers are with Boston.
6:39 pm: And here we are at warmups. Neither Brad Kurtzberg or I can find Strait out there taking warmups, so I suppose a no-go.
Did you get your Islander Swag at the door?
Nabokov will make his 12th start of the last 13 games. Kevin Poulin is still a bench warmer. But he has to understand his time will come -- eventually.
Radek Martinek will replace Carkner in tonight's game, but the forwards have not been announced as of the 11 am mark today.
Jack Capuano is quoted by Newsday's Art Staple on Twitter, when asked about the possibility of a "trap" game, "If it is, we got problems."
Uh oh.
The winner of this year's Professional Hockey Writers' Assoc. 'good guy' award went to Nabby. Staple gave it to him at this morning's practice. He deserves it.
Great quote by Thomas Hickey on the Isles Twitter feed. "Any team can beat any team right now. They're a good team and are going to be ready. Guys are out to prove themselves."
Yes they are. At this point you have many players trying to show what they can do in order to earn new contracts or not be traded in June. It's a desperation level that will be evident from here on out.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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