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ISLES INFO |
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ISLES INFO |
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IslesInfo Comments: The Islanders came out tonight looking more like a team than ever in their first 13 games of the season. They were flying and playing at a high pace, but we've seen that before as the Islanders have often overpowered the opposing team only to end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Tonight things were different right off the bat as slumping Dave Scatchard put the Islanders up 1-0 1:24 into the game. The Islanders were heading to the net and after Scatchard took an initial shot, a crowd of players collected in front of the net. An Oiler player had dropped down to block the shot and the puck ended up under his legs. With Brad Isbister there as well, the puck eventually squeaked back out where Scatchard found it once again. With everyone busy scrumming in the goal mouth, Scatch backhanded the puck into the open side of the net off former Islander Tommy Salo for his 4th of the season. After the Isles got shutout last night in Montreal, Scatchard and Isbister were very excited as they celebrated with Arron Asham. After a fight between Jason Wiemer and Jason Smith, the Islanders would go on the powerplay with Smith getting an extra 2 minutes. At 4:49 the Islanders made them pay as they kept up their pace. Mark Parrish set up a perfect screen in front of Salo as Adrian Aucoin blasted a shot through everyone for the 2-0 lead. It was Aucoin's 3rd goal of the season. At one point the Islanders were outshooting Edmonton 7-1, but once the Oilers got a few powerplay opportunities for themselves late in the period, they edged the Isles in shots overall 10-9. But perhaps that's what Islanders starting goaltender Chris Osgood needed as he had a solid first period with more to come. The period saw 3 fights and one very interesting mini scrum which I will get to more later. - With the Islanders entering the second period up 2-0, the question was could they have a strong period since the second has been a problem for them this season. Edmonton surprisingly held the shot advantage in the second as well, 9-6. The Oilers are a very similar team to the Islanders and have a lot of speed. Both teams have also had similar starts this season. Even though the Islanders momentum was not the same as it was in the first period, they still manged to stymie Edmonton's scorers, especially Chris Osgood. But that was all after the Islanders took their first three goal lead over a team this season. Scatchard would score his second of the game, and 5th of the season, at 3:19 of the second. Sven Butenschon, who was called up this afternoon to replace Kenny Jonsson because of the flu, made a good play with the puck up at the point in the Oilers end. Without hesitating Butenschon wristed the puck at Salo. The rebound came back out to Isbister and even though he was heavily covered managed to kick the puck over to Scatchard. Scatch chipped the puck at the upper open portion of the net and with a little bit of help from Dan Cleary's stick the puck flipped over a sprawled out Salo. Scatchard's goal tied him for the team lead with Alexei Yashin. As mentioned earlier, Osgood started to make game saving stops throughout the second period. He was clearly proving that this was his best game of the season up to that point in the game. He was much more focused. There was one save he made where he stacked the pads and seemed to scoop the puck away from trickling over the line with his bottom pad. - It was good to see the Islanders grab a 3 goal lead going into the third period, but the game was still not out of reach for the Oilers, especially with the new rules this year where a couple of extra powerplays in the third period and you're right back in it. But three goals is better than the two goal dreaded lead. And it came to be that much more important when Edmonton would finally get on the board at 2:34 of the third. Ryan Smyth would tap in his 4th goal of the season on a very poor coverage play in front of the net by Radek Martinek, who continues to struggle big time for the Islanders. But the Islanders continued to play well in front of the superb goaltending by Osgood, especially the line of Isbister, Scatchard and Asham. Scatchard must have had 4 or 5 chances to bury the puck for the hat trick. He missed on a two on one shortly after Edmonton made it 3-1. He then blasted a shot that Salo made a save on a few shifts later, and even had a glorious chance to bury the rebound. But he shot it wide of the net. Isbister had one of his best games as he assisted on both of Scatchard's goals. He showed his strength to get to the net on a scoring chance in the first period and even impressed when he jumped in to Roman Hamrlik's defense during a scrum. - The Islanders held on in the third until the 16:46 mark when Jason Chimera managed to push a shot by Osgood as he sprawled out on his back to make it 3-2 Islanders. Chimera's goal was his second of the season. He has three in his career and two of them have now come at Nassau Coliseum. With just over three minutes the Islanders were looking to tighten up and not blow what they worked all game to achieve. The Oilers pulled Salo with a little over a minute remaining. They tried to work the puck down low in the Islanders zone, but the Isles would have nothing of it. Laviolette had Scatchard out there to try one last effort to get the hat trick. But it was Hamrlik who would eventually steal the puck and relay it up to Shawn Bates in the neutral zone. Bates paused at the blueline and carefully aimed the puck into the bottom of the net. Bates put up a great celebration as you can see in the pic, along with the relieved fans. Everyone was relieved to have the 6 game losing streak ended. A funny moment took place when a very frustrated Oiler player slammed his stick against the net when Bates scored. He then tripped over the net and fell on his back while Bates skated around him. But overall it was a great effort and the Islanders improved to 4-9-1-0 and 9 points. They still have some work to do and the Isles will have some work ahead of them as they face the rebuilt Dallas Stars Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum. Fight Card #1: Jason Wiemer vs. Jason Smith. This fight took place early in the first period. Wiemer just earlier had layed a big hit on Oiler defenseman Steve Staios against the boards. Smith took acception to that and the Oilers captain went at it with Wiemer, who hadn't fought since the first game of the season in Buffalo. Both players grappled so close together that neither got in any good punches. In fact they were both punching each other in the back of their helmets. Decision: Draw. Almost Fight: The edmonton Oilers were about to be penalized when suddenly something broke out between Yashin and Oiler defenseman Steve Staios. Either something happened between the two on the ice, or it just broke out after the two skated into each other after the whistle had blown. Staios thre a bit of a hard puch at Yashin. Alexei followed back with a glove hit, then led with his stick as he crosschecked Staios towards the face. Staios must have really gotten Yashin mad because Alexei began throwing punches at Staios's head. Perhaps it's because he never dropped his gloves but the officials ended up giving Yashin a double minor and all penalties were washed out. The only fight Yashin ever had was in a 6-3 win at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers last year when he went at it with Dale Purinton. He was ejected from that game after not having his jersey tied down. Yashin also scored a hat trick in the first period of that game. Fight Card #2: Eric Cairns vs. Georges Laraque. Cairns is a very good fighter for the Islanders and considered a heavyweight when he decided to throw them down. But Laraque is just plain scary when he decides the same. As both players initially tried to gain the upper hand, Laraque started swinging first and the punches came fast and hard. Cairns started to go down to the ice at the same time so it's unclear if any of the punches really landed. But overall you have to give this one to Laraque. Decision: Laraque. Fight Card #3: Steve Webb vs. Steve Staios. Webb recorded Staios's little get together with Yashin in his head and saved it for later and the first chance he got on the ice with the Oiler defenseman. Sizing Staios up, Webb probably figured that this was one guy he could kick the crap out of. And that's what he kinda did as he got right in Staios's face and challenged him. Webb just kept swinging and possibly landing as the two drifted towards the boards and the lineman eventually jumped in. Win: Webb. Commentary: Finally the Islanders come out with a strong effort all around. Although coach Laviolette said he felt the Islanders put forward a good effort in Montreal the night before. But even though the Islanders played the night before in Montreal and didn't get back home until late, they looked very good tonight and as we all know NEEDED this win. Now they have to focus on Sunday and continuing this play. They need to go on a winning streak. Dallas will be tough though with Mike Modano and Bill Guerin in the lineup.
Report Card: Brad Isbister: Besides the two goal effort he had against the St. Louis Blues in a losing cause, this was clearly Isbister's best game of the season. He generated scoring chances and stuck up for his teammate Roman Hamrlik. It was nice to see. With all the trade rumors swirling around there is one thing GM Mike Milbury needs to have forsight with. Isbister is currently 25. What will he be like in 3 years when he's in his prime? Can the Islanders afford not to find out? Alexei Yashin: Had a good game and even tried to drop the gloves with Staios. He didn't really have a good game offensively though as he only took 2 shots on goal. And he was a -2, on the ice for both Edmonton tallies. Shawn Bates: Is struggling big time on the powerplay as the Islanders are possibly giving him too much responsibility as the pivot. He is making all the decisions and the powerplay is showing no creativity. But, give him credit for carefully aiming the puck into the net for the empty netter and giving us a familiar exciting jubilant celebration to end the losing streak. Mark Parrish: had a good game. His screen on Salo helped Aucoin's blast find the back of the net. He's looked good playing on a line with Eric Manlow and Jason Blake at times. Dave Scatchard: Came up big for the Islanders tonight. He was slumping as of late and starting to hear his name in trade rumors and calls to be sat out of the lineup. Hopefully he can keep this up and pot a few more in upcoming games. This two goal effort was the 7th of his career. He had many chances to get the hat trick but it didn't happen. Hopefully another time it will. Jason Wiemer: One of his better games as he saw some ice time tonight with Yashin. He, and the rest of the team at times, are still suffering from sending the puck up the middle of the ice. A very dangerous play that we've already seen the Islanders burned on. He fought too, something the Islanders want to see him do. They need him to get more involved and become more a member of this team. Hopefully tonight was a step towards doing that. Also, he only has 1 goal on the year and that is his only point. Jason Blake: Awesome, he was plain awesome tonight. If he couldn't have been named one of the three stars of the night for the Islanders than he definitely was #4 as he killed penalties with some flare tonight. He was a treat to watch and everywhere on the kills. Claude Lapointe: Also played very well on the PK tonight as the Islanders held the Oilers to 0-6. Had some good offensive chances as well and as we all know with some better hands Lapointe would have more goals. Steve Webb: Stepped up and stuck up for his team's offensive leader in Yashin by taking on Staios late in the first period. He even won it. Way to go Webby. It was a question as to whether the Islanders would play Webb in the game over Mattias Weinhandl. They decided to go with Webb because of how he plays at home and gets the home crowd energized. Eric Manlow: It somewhat unfair that many writers over the last few days have been inadvertantly putting down Manlow because the team was losing. Labeling him a "journeyman minor leaguer" was maybe a bit extreme. He's only been with the Blackhawks, Bruins and Islanders organizations. Manlow played well tonight particularly killing penalties and on faceoffs. Mattias Weinhandl: scratched. Arron Asham: Had a strong game playing on the Isles best line as of late with Isbister and Scatchard. He didn't get a point but made some very good passes including an outlet pass to Scatch when he was trying for the hat trick. Oleg Kvasha: Yes, the Mighty Oleg has returned. But only for limited duty. He was noticed earlier today icing down his fractured ankle. The Islander originally announced he'd be out 2-3 weeks minimum. He returned after missing 7 games and just a little over 2 weeks. A bit early. But did his return strengthen the Isles depth and help spur them to a win? He only saw about 2 and a half minutes ice time in the first period and same throughout the rest of the game. But his presence helped, even though he is back to being scoreless in 7 games. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: Had a very good game. Showed some resolve when Ethan Moreau tried to goad him into taking an even up penalty. That was when Isbister jumped in to help. Hamrlik also played sound defensively and made the outlet pass that led to Bates getting the empty netter. BUT, he also missed the net twice when the Islanders were up 5 on 3 in the second period. They were very good screened shots and he just fired it wide both times. Luckily that did not come back to haunt them. Adrian Aucoin: Also missed the net a few times. But he scored a valuable goal in the powerplay that put the Islanders up 2-0 in the first period. Eric Cairns: Had a strong game defensively. Maybe pushed his luck a little against Laraque. Cairns can stand up to any player in the league. But there are not many players in the league that can stand up to Laraque. Kenny Jonsson: Did not play due to a sore back after the Czerkawski hit in Montreal. But even more so because he's suffering from the flu. Radek Martinek: Still struggling badly. Missed his check in front of the net on the Smyth goal. Before he knew it, he turned around and Smyth tapped the puck into the net. Martinek also lost a check late in the first period and was taken to the Islanders net hard as he tried to catch up to his assignment. Mattias Timander: Played well defensively and also physically tonight. Sven Butenschon: The big defenseman played well in his first game as an Islander. He was acquired back on October the 11th for Juraj Kolnik. Since then he has been an anchor for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and is leading them in scoring, along with Alan Letang, with 6 assists in 9 games. Butenschon, who coach Laviolette admitted he knew nothing about except for what Bridgeport coach Steve Sterling told him, is a big guy at 6-4 and 215 lbs. He notched a big assist on Scatchard's goal that made it 3-0 in the second. He used his body well too. It will be interesting to see if he sticks around for Sunday against Dallas. If Jonsson returns would they keep Butenschon in and scratch Martinek who is struggling badly? Probably not, but food for thought. We don't want to mess with Martinek's confidence right now and if he turns it around the Islanders chances are better with Martinek in there. A couple more notes on Butenschon, he became the first Islander to ever wear the obscure #64. Also, he played for Hamilton, Edmonton's AHL affiliate last year and was their leading scorer. He signed with Florida this summer but saw action in 21 Oiler games over the last two seasons. Goal: Chris Osgood: Ozzie had his best game of the season tonight. He made several spectacular saves. Among all the saves already taked about, he made one beautiful glove hand save on Ryan Smyth off a breakway. Osgood was his old familiar self tonight. More focused and hopefully he will continue to be focused in upcoming games. Coaches: Laviolette called Sven Butenschon before the game a big "canadian boy". Well, he was partly right. Butenschon was born in Germany but grew up in Canada. A few criticisms I have tonight of the coaching staff. The biggest was why they didn't try and play Oleg Kvasha on the 5 on 3 powerplay in the second period. I don't think that would have been too harrowing a situation to give him a try. The current powerplay squad was failing miserably. Which leads me to: PK & PP Like I mentioned, Bates is getting too much responsibility on the powerplay. He has to stop faking the shot and just shoot the damn puck. The powerplay was doing a little bit better but the last two games they have shown no creativity and are not getting quality shots off. On the flip end, the Islanders PK was rated 30th overall in the league coming into the game, but a few more games with performances like they got out of Blake and Lapointe and that rating should improve. But both special teams still need major work, especially the powerplay, which is run by assistant coach Kelly Miller. Somebody has to get Yashin the puck. AND, Yashin has to start taking better shots that are not blocked by opposing defenders. GM: Mike Milbury is in Finland for the entire weekend. I wonder if he had any input over the decision to call up Butenschon or if he just let the coaching staff make the decision. If you are wondering why they didn't call up Ray Schultz instead, it's because they just sent him down on a two week conditioning program.
Islanders Top Oilers, 4-2
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSE GOALTENDERS EDMONTON OILERS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions:
EDM - 0 of 6, NYI - 1 of 5.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview When Will it be Time? Nov 8: The Islanders come home tonight after suffering their latest loss, and sixth straight in Montreal. With both Osgood and Snow still struggling, when do they call up Rick DiPietro? Isles vs. Edmonton Preview: Or do they? Odds are the Islanders won't be calling on DiPietro anytime soon. Probably at least not until November 15, which seems to be a good benchmark for a change if the veterans continue to struggle in net. If Osgood and Snow don't have impressive games over the weekend against Edmonton tonight and Dallas on Sunday afternoon, Islanders GM Mike Milbury may make the decision sooner. But then you have to ask another question. As bad as the Isles goaltending has been, is it in large part because of the team in front of them. Well, it's a combination of both. But with Ozzie and Snow combining for the worst save percentage in the league, and Osgood's numbers so awful, a large part of the blame has to go to them. That said, would you put DiPietro behind this team right now? Osgood and Snow are giving DeePee practically a rolled out carpet to make an appearance and steal the job that he so very much wants. DiPietro can either be the answer to wake up the Isles, or his youth and inexperience, not to mention his psyche and confidence, could be killed by a team that is in a bit of disarray right now. - The Islanders have only 3 wins this season. Their three wins have come over Atlanta, Nashville and Florida. Those teams have combined for a 7-21-4-7 record. 5 of those 7 wins belong to Florida. - Let me know in my Guestbook or Forum what you think about the Islanders goaltending situation.
Oilers Waiting for Isles The Edmonton Oilers have been off since Tuesday night when they lost to the Rangers 5-2. Tommy Salo left that game in the second period after getting hit by a slap shot, so it is not known yet whether he will be in net to face his former team tonight. If Salo does not start then the goaltending duty would be handed over to 27 year old Finn Jussi Markkanen. The Oilers are currently in last place in the Northwest Division and second worst in the Western Conference, ahead of only Nashville. They have 10 points with a 3-5-3-1 record. Their top player thus far this season, a player the Islanders would love to have, is Anson Carter. He is currently leading the Oilers in scoring going 6-7-13 in 12 games played. The Islanders will also need to keep an eye on two other shifty forwards. Mike Comrie is their top center and has put up 5-4-9 in 12 games, while Mike York is dishing off the puck pretty well going 1-8-9 in 12 games as well. Former Islander Eric Brewer would have been a player to watch on the blueline for the Oilers, but he missed their most recent game with a shoulder injury. Whether he'll play is unknown as well. With Brewer out Edmonton's go to guy on defense is Janne Niinimaa, who was rumored to be coming to the Islanders a few years back. Salo and Brewer are not the only former Islanders on the Oilers. Also coming to town is injury prone Josh Green, who the Islanders sent to Edmonton two years ago along with Brewer for Roman Hamrlik. He only has an assist in 5 games. A former Islander draft pick, Jiri Dopita is centering the third line. He's collected 3 assists in 12 games. Salo has struggled a bit in net for the Oilers going 2-4-3 with a 3.09 GAA and .888 save percentage.
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Lets Go Isles! |
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
