The Islanders are making franchise history and gaining respect at every turn. A total of 15 wins in 21 games is the best record the Islanders have ever had.
It took a shoot-out to get a puck past the Flyers' Mason because he was just a brick wall for 65 minutes. On the other end, Halak put on his own show, although his work load was far less as he only faces 21 shots to Mason's 46. He should have been the first star, but that honor went to Halak.
Perhaps it was because the Isles gave the puck away 19 times giving the Flyers excellent opportunties to wiin the game. The Isles out hit the the Flyers 30 - 11 and Matt Martin was only responsible for two of those. Clutterbuck had seven. Martin was also the only one involved in an actual fight that seemed unending with Wayne Simmonds. They were making plans all though the first period. At 2:48 of the second, plans came to fruition.
Matt Donovan made his season debut and played an impressive 16:15. Kyle Okposo lead the team in shots with eight, but none of his went in. Not so bad considering no one else's did either.
Johnny Boychuk is a warrior. Not only has he played through some discomfort in his legs, but he also was thrown against the crossbar of Mason's net and took a little time to get up. That's going to leave a mark. He still didn't miss a shift and came very close to winning the game.
Mason was a thief. He robbed the Isles at every turn. Until the shoot-out. Now, say what you will about "the skills competition," but the fans were on their feet and crowded by the glass watching and cheering. It's one of the most exciting things in hockey.
Frans Nielsen made it look easy -- as usual. But it was the dipsy-doodle moves of Captain John Tavares that put the Isles over the top and sent the Flyers home with only one point.
Amazing. Who are these guys? They are YOUR New York Islanders.
Sideboard: If players were "under the weather" with the flu, what happened with the idea of flu shots? huh? How about it?
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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