10:05 pm: With what Jesse D. Eisenberg called a "pretty little x" next to the Islanders name in the standings, the Isles can prepare for playoffs.
So many fans on Facebook celebrating. It's a good feeling. One they haven't known in a very long time.
With tonight's events, as Butch and Jiggs said, Kevin Poulin will likely get a start either Thursday or Friday in the Isles final back-to-back games.
I'd guess it would be Friday against the Sabres.
9:50 pm: The tying goal has now been credited to John Tavares, although I still don't think he's a Hart candidate.
9:42 pm: It's almost like New Year's Eve waiting to find out if the Jets lose to the Caps. So the Isles have clinched a spot, the first since 2007. Wow.
Jack our guys have battled hard and they deserve it. Most importantly our fans deserve it. We knew it was going to be tough, they're a fast team. We'll take the point and move on. but I'm proud of the effort the guys put out tonight.
The Okposo line has been dominant, "That whole line has really played well. (Kyle) He's doing a lot of good things."
Jack giving a little more information than expected saying he lost a good friend two days ago who was a big Islander fan and knows he was smiling down on them. The idea this team is going to the playoffs is becoming personal for a lot of people.
9:32 pm: The overtime period is a game of turnovers and a puck off the crossbar by Grabner.
A few good chances, but no goals.
"The skills competition is next to decide this game in Carolina."
Frans Nielsen misses again in the shoot out. Very unusual for him.
Riley Nash scores on Nabokov and he is NOT happy.
Boyes is stopped by Ellis.
Skinner wins it for the Canes. They get the two points with the 4 - 3 score.
I'd like to know when Dan Ellis decided he was better than his numbers.
Killer.
9:24 pm: Josh Bailey was playing Lacrosse out there with the puck in the Canes zone and then Matt Moulson makes a long pass to John Tavares who passes the puck towards the net where Kyle Okposo is parked in front of Ellis.
Whether it bounced off a skate or Okposo tipped the puck in doesn't matter. It was the tying goal that sent the game to overtime.
9:10 pm: Keith Aucoin can't buy a goal. The puck was right at Ellis' feet when Coiner was looking for the quick goal, but the goal got to the puck before Aucoin did. You could just see his frustration. It was right there for the taking and he missed the opportunity.
9:03 pm: "A big save by the goal post as there really is Lady Luck in Carolina!!" Jiggs with the call as Nabokov goes behind his net to play the puck and Ruutu misses the empty net from three feet away. Without that clank off the goal post, this game would be out of reach for the Isles.
8:54 pm: Special teams are the deciding factors in tough games. The Isles get a power play when Semin dumps Moulson in front of their net. If they can't secore on this power play, it will absolutely be a game they can lose.
Tavares shots the puck right in front of Ellis, but it is deflected up and into the netting. He is not happy and the bench door feels his wrath.
With less than ten seconds left of the power play, they actually came up with a great set up and Bailey tried his damnedest to score, but couldn't get a handle on the puck. Power play ends and the teams are at even strength and still the Canes lead.
8:43 pm: The Isles want to make sure I throw up. Every game is a damn nailbiter!
Canes now up 3 - 2 after 40 minutes of play. Just like Butchie always says, you have to keep an eye on the player coming right off the bench. They didn't. Michael Grabner attempted to even things up after the Dwyer goal, but the puck only sat in the blue paint behind Ellis, it didn't actually go over the line.
Twenty more minutes in Carolina.
Thompson said they need to control their offensive zone time and eliminate turnovers. They were better in the second, but not as good as they need to be.
8:11 pm: Another goal for Josh Bailey with an assist to Kyle Okposo. Yes, Josh has finally found his rhythm!
7:42 pm: When Butch calls it "not very good," and Art Staple calls it "ugly," you know the Islanders didn't play the first period of the game very well.
Isles are down 2 - 1 in the first period and they look "sluggish" and are being "out hustled." Jack Capuano is NOT going to like that at all. Expect the second period to be much better.
1:46 pm: As per @HockeyFlan from Bridgeport on Twitter talking to Newsday's Art Staple about Bridgeport Sound Tigers sticking around and heading to Uniondale Sunday:
Mike Flannery @hockeyflan
@StapeNewsday This per Anders Nilsson. He will be there as well as the Swedes Sundstrom Persson. Nelson also to stay. Nino home for Worlds. On D Donovan Ness Pedan staying. Not necessarily a complete list but interesting. Go Islanders!
So, a hopeful Isles team is keeping the young stars around to feel what playoffs are all about -- and also as insurance.
I like it.
11:57 am: As if you had any doubts, Nabokov is the first off the ice at the PNC arena this morning.
9:34 pm: As Art Staple is the one who is doing the scoreboard watching, he just announced that the Isles will NOT be able to clinch tomorrow as the Jets have won tonight. However, he also said if the Jets lose in Washington tomorrow, then the isles would.
TOO MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER!
8:30 pm: I haven't said much about the playoff push. Mostly because I'm scared to death of jinxing it! I don't want to be the Howie Rose shutout jinx. Just the mention of it ensures it doesn't happen.
So I can't say this game is a lock since the Canes have been slumping this season. They've won only two in nineteen games. But they have also beat the Isles twice this season. They'll be looking for a sweep. The Isles have to make sure that doesn't happen.
They have said they aren't watching the standings of the other teams ahead and behind them. They can only think of the game at hand. That will be imperative Tuesday night. If they get too cockey, they could blow it. If they are too nervous about blowing it, they could blow it.
This will be another game that Jack will say things like "playing within the system." But that is no longer just a phrase, it's a mantra. "Carolina is an extrememly talented team." Jack told reporters too after practice.
David Ullstrom was called up from Bridgeport, who played their last game on Sunday and won, but they have no playoffs in their immediate future. But I wonder why Ullstrom has been recalled. I'm not sure if he'll actually play in one of these last games, or he is just an insurance policy.
We'll have to see.
Art Staple will have all the info from Raleigh in the morning. For now -- we wait -- and watch other teams.
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