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Real Deal Islanders SO Win |
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We knew tonight would be a real test as the Sharks came into the building also riding high on an undefeated start. No matter what, one team’s winning streak would end. Early on, it looked as if it would be the Islanders.
With a loud, cheering crowd the Islanders were getting the majority of shots on net. Okposo wasn’t backing down from Vlasic as they exchanged pleasantries with no call even though Kyle had blood showing. But things didn’t get really worrisome until John Scott hit Grabovski while his head was down and knocked him into Saturday. Grabovski laid on the ice until the trainer came for him. He didn’t look as if he knew where he was. There was no call on the play which was deemed ‘clean.’ But as Art Staple said ‘unnecessary.’ Grabo would not return to the game.
Whether it was the camera angle or he really is that fast, Conacher was impressive moving the puck up ice. He’s a pest, a buzzing pest that keeps buzzing no matter how many times you swat him. The Isles out shot the Sharks 14 - 3 in the first period, but Stalock denied them all.
As the second period began, there was a moment of fear after Tavares blocked a shot and had to be attended on the bench. Would they lose him too? Thankfully, no.
Brett Burns scored the first goal of the game at 1:39 of the second, but unlike the Isles of old, they didn’t fold. About three minutes later, Nick Leddy scored to tie the game. Tavares and Okposo with the assist points.
At 9:07 of the second, Ryan Strome was called for a cross checking penalty. Seven seconds later, the Sharks would score. Ryan’s penalty would get him a seat on the bench for awhile. That’s how you learn. The Sharks would go to the dressing room up 2 - 1. But the game was far from in the bag for them.
At 5:38 of the third, the Isles would get a power play opportunity, it would be the final penalty of the game. With the man advantage, Kyle Okposo would score a power play goal to even the score again. With the crowd energized Josh Bailey would find a hole from a bad angle and put the Isles ahead. I’m not sure if he was more elated or relieved that he scored his second goal of the season.
No lead is safe and once again the Sharks tied the game at 11:16 of the third Tomas Hertl blasted a puck past Halak and once again, they were tied. Truthfully, I would be happy with just the one point. There was a strong possibility they would get none, but one I could live with.
The overtime frame looked like a Sharks power play, but it solved nothing. The Isles fans were on their feet and chanting as the shoot-out started. It seems Mr. Shoot-Out has gone a little cold; Frans Nielsen failed on his attempt. Logan Couture beat Halak. Brock Nelson shot wide, and you had to wonder why JT wasn’t the second shooter for the Isles. Halak made a save on Pavelski and Jack sent out -- Kyle Okposo who scored. Okay, but where was JT? Hertl wasn’t getting another passed Halak, so he was denied. Then Ryan Strome skated toward Stalock. WHAT? He should be still in the dog house! He missed. It wasn’t until after Halak made a save on Brett Burns that we would see John Tavares center ice.
He skated in mulling his options and then did something that could have been dangerous, he slowed down to a crawl and I worried it would be deemed a failure of forward motion. It was that slow. With the goalie out of position, Tavares saved the day.
Yeah, the Sharks had one more shot at it, but Halak made that save too. He kept the puck in his glove as he skated toward the bench seeming screaming “YES! YES! YES!” And so was everyone else whether in the stands or on the couch.
It’s been a long time since the Isles had a 4-0 start to the season. But then, it’s been a long time since they’ve had solid goaltending.
Calvin deHaan played 18:38 in his first game of the season and Grabovski will be evaluated tomorrow. His injury is the only negative thing you could say about this game.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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