The New York Islanders dropped their season opener to the Washington Capitals last night by a score of 2-1. Here’s the game recap.
The Islanders got the better start and were the better team in the first 10 minutes but the initial momentum was killed when Jakub Vrana opened the scoring. It wasn’t necessarily a bad goal on Varlamov but it was certainly stoppable and while it was from a good location off a rush, it wasn’t a great shot and went right through him. It was obvious Vrana was shooting, so Varlamov should’ve been ready to react.
Devon Toews tied the game in what was one of the weirdest opening night goals I think I’ve seen. It was a game of pinball, going off several Capitals players’ skates before eventually finding its way into the net.
Chances were pretty even in the second period until T.J. Oshie gave the Capitals the lead on a power play in the back-half of the period. I don’t think Varlamov can be faulted at all for this one. A point shot on the power play that was blocked and landed right in the slot and from a goaltender’s perspective, there’s just no way you’d ever think the puck is coming off a falling player’s stick and going far-side top corner. Just so unlikely.
The only thing is that Varlamov went to react with the elbow/shoulder rather than his glove hand, again though, that’s a tough shot to stop. The Islanders did a good job blocking the initial shot and that’s just an unlucky (yet skilled) goal.
New York wasn’t able to tie it up but it wasn’t for a lack of chances throughout the game. The Islanders couldn’t capitalize and that’s why they lost.
Anthony Beauvillier had a not-bad game. He wasn’t the sole driver of offense on many plays but he was in the game trying to create chances in the offensive zone. I thought the third line in general had a pretty good game overall. It does make me wonder what Beauvillier and Derick Brassard could do with someone instead of Leo Komarov but regardless, the line had a decent game.
The first line couldn’t get much going whatsoever. Mathew Barzal, Jordan Eberle and Anders Lee combined for just two shots and Barzal also had one horrible turnover to Chandler Stephenson who went in on a breakaway but was stopped by Varlamov.
Brock Nelson was getting quite a few chances but couldn’t seem to bury it. He had a superb chance where he went around Samsonov and tried to tuck it in but just couldn’t finish. Though Michael Dal Colle wasn’t carrying the puck a lot, he was great on the forecheck and created some turnovers. Josh Bailey was completely invisible.
The Islanders also relied on their defense for a lot of shots from the point and if they’re going to do that they need to do a better job at getting more second-chances. In net, Varlamov’s rebound control was quite good. He was also very good on shots in tight but seemed to lose track of some mid-range shots (Vrana’s goal and a Tom Wilson shot that hit the post). He was good enough to give the Islanders a chance though.
The game didn’t go New York’s way but there were some positives. The Islanders were getting chances and if they could’ve finished, it would’ve been a different game. Now add on the fact that many of their top-six forwards didn’t really show up to play or only showed up in short, occasional bursts and if this team puts together a full 60 minutes, they won’t be an easy team to beat this year.
The Islanders play their next game tomorrow when they host the Winnipeg Jets.
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