Calvin deHaan’s first goal of the season wouldn’t have happened if Cal Clutterbuck wasn’t keen enough to lift his feet. Actually, it didn’t happen. They gave the Isles goal to Clutterbuck and his skates.
The Isles and Devils were tied at one before mid-way through the first period. Kyle Okposo continues to not be able to buy a goal. It really looked as if it was possible, but the puck didn’t go into the net and laid in the paint in front of Schneider until Kulemin skated in and banged it in the back of the twine. Damien Brunner had the Devils goal in the first period less two minutes after the Isles scored.
I can only say “Sorry Kyle.” I think John Tavares said the same thing to Okposo in the second period after JT set Okposo up for a clear shot that Schneider gloved and laughed at. It’s okay Kyle, Josh Bailey is having the same issue: lots of opportunities, no goals.
With 3:13 left of the second, TooToo and Clutterbuck both went to the box and continued to jaw at each other between the glass. Both received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. My money is on always Clutterbuck. But nothing further transpired between then. At least nothing they were called for.
It was forty -six seconds into the third period and the Isles were on a power play as Brunner was called for hooking. Okposo on the PP with JT spent a good amount of time passing the puck around and then gave it away. No goals on that power play, or the other three the Isles were awarded. To be fair, the Devils were 0 for 4 as well..
Cizikas and Lee had a beautiful opportunity to increase the Isles lead, but Lee couldn’t get the shot off. They were just showing how good they actually are.
The Devils had a golden opportunity to tie the game when they were on the PK during the last two minutes of the third period. Tomas Hickey saved a goal or maybe two along with Jaro Halak. The sellout crowd chanted “defense” in the final 31.7 seconds of the game with the Isles leading 2 - 1. Jaromir Jagr tried everything he could to even the score for the Devils, but Casey Cizikas managed a short handed empty net goal at the final 4.3 second mark. Halak won another one for the Isles even without Boychuk and Visnovsky in the line-up.
The Isles obviously have more talent than last season. “They’re not going away. They’re legit.” Butch Goring was not shy about that one.
Calvin deHaan was the third star of the game, followed by Cal Clutterbuck and Halak, with 34 saves and his ninth consecutive win, was first star of the game. “Too bad penalties at the end and the PK came up big at the end.” he told MSG’s Shannon Hogan. The crowd chanted “Jaro, Jaro.” He was humble and just kept saying the guys played great and he just did what he was supposed to.
This was their sixth straight win at the barn What a difference from last year. Halak would not take credit at all As the only player who stayed on the ice the full sixty, it is amazing how much credit he gave his team mates. The Devils out-shot the Isles 16-2 in the third, and yet Halak felt his team did all the work. Really?
The Isles have more points in November (22) than hey have since 1982. Some of the fans weren’t even born then. How great this this? Butch is right, these guys aren’t going away. They are indeed ’legit!”
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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