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ISLES INFO |
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ISLES INFO |
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IslesInfo Comments: Right off the bat, you could feel that the Isles were on their game. Shawn Bates would break in almost all alone early and get a backhand shot off on Pittsburgh goaltender Sebastien Caron. Seconds later on the same shift, captain Michael Peca set up Mark Parrish all alone on the doorstep in front with a nifty thread pass. Parrish often scores on chances like that slam dunk, but could not get the puck high enough this time. The first period went by with not much fanfare. Both goaltenders, Caron for Pittsburgh and Rick DiPietro for the Islanders, making his first start since December, were the stars of the show. Jason Blake would wheel around the net and hit the post with 5 seconds remaining in the period. While the Islanders out shot Pittsburgh 10-6, the Penguins held the edge on faceoff's 17-8. The Isles decided to go with 5 d-men tonight, scratching little used Ray Schultz. Brad Isbister's ankle is acting up again, so Eric Godard was recalled to take his place. Raffi Torres was also inserted back into the lineup as the Isles dressed 13 forwards. - The Islanders finally drew first blood at 3:06 of the second period. Sven Butenschon wound up to take a shot on net, but the puck hit a group of players in the slot and ended up on Blake's stick. Blake waited and seemingly held the puck for too long. He finally let the wrist shot go on the angle and hit the post. But the puck bounced off the post and into Caron's back. The puck then redirected behind Caron and over the goal line. The play was reviewed, a little bit too long for a goal that was extremely obvious. Blake's goal was his 15th of the season to put the Isles up 1-0. Keeping the momentum going, the Isles would take a 2-0 lead at 5:02 of the second. Alexei Yashin relayed the puck up to Kvasha through the neutral zone. Kvasha chased down the puck in Pittsburgh's zone and pulled up. Kvasha then found Mattias Timander with a beautiful cross ice pass up to the point. Timander blasted a one timer by Caron for his 2nd goal of the season. The Islanders then got into some penalty troubles. Radek Martinek first went off for hooking at 9:03. Then at 9:54 Roman Hamrlik was called for a double minor, obstruction hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct for mouthing off about it. So DiPietro faced the Pens 5 on 3 attempt and during this kill showed why the Islanders drafted him. DiPietro made save after save, some spectacular as the Isles killed off the 2 man advantage. But Martinek got sent to the box again at 12:21 for boarding, setting up another Penguin 2 man advantage on the backend of Hamrlik's second penalty. DiPietro made some more outstanding stops, and was looking unbeatable for a while. He made an unbelievable diving save on a point blank shot from the slot by ex Islander Dick Tarnstrom. Unfortunately he could not handle the rebound as it dropped in the crease and big Steve McKenna was there to bang in his 7th of the season to cut the Isles lead in half to 2-1 at 13:35. Just seconds before the goal, Timander had a chance to clear the zone but rushed the play and put it back to the point. The Isles three penalty killers had already been out for a while and were tired. Pittsburgh out shot the Isles in the second period thanks to the two 5 on 3 advantages, 13-8. - At 8:27 of the third period, soon to be ex Penguin Alexei Kovalev took a bad penalty for boarding. At 10:02 Alexei Yashin scored a huge goal for the Isles to put them up 3-1. Yashin fired a shot from his favorite spot up high above the left circle. The puck deflected off Pittsburgh defenseman Michal Rozsival and behind Caron for Yashin's 13th of the season. It was also Yashin's 100th career powerplay goal. The goal proved even more crucial when 50 seconds after Yashin scored, Randy Robitaille banged in a rebound, his 4th, on DiPietro's doorstep to make it 3-2 at 10:52. The Islanders didn't wait long to gain their 2 goal lead back. At 12:54 Timander made a good defensive move at the Isles blue line to turn over the puck. Claude Lapointe made an even better play to relay the puck up off the boards to Blake who was behind the Pittsburgh defense. Blake broke in down the right side boards, made one fake and then rifled the puck into the left hand side of the net for the 4-2 lead. It was his second of the game and 16th of the season. The Isles weren't done there. At 15:46 Oleg Kvasha, who was having an excellent game, dished the puck off to Arron Asham in the neutral zone. Asham pushed the puck back up to Kvasha near the slot, and the Isles big winger wasted no time in letting the shot go. Kvasha whipped the puck up top shelf behind Caron for his 6th of the season to make it 5-2. That was when fans decided to celebrate by throwing the Michael Peca celebriduck giveaway's down onto the ice, despite the fact that it wasn't a hat trick goal. The Islanders out shot Pittsburgh 11-7 in the third and 29-26 in the game. With the win they broke the points tie with Pittsburgh, moving up to 53 while leaving the Penguins at 51. The Isles record overall improved to 23-20-5-2.
More stats: The Islanders are 11-4-0-2 in their last 17 games....The Isles are 7-4-0-2 in the month of January....The Isles improved to 13-12-2-0 at home....The Isles went 4-0-0-1 against Pittsburgh this season, winning the season gaining 9 out of a possible 10 points. Previous results: 3-2 win in Pittsburgh Nov 16th, 6-3 win in Pittsburgh Dec 7th, 3-2 OT loss in Pittsburgh Jan 4th, 6-3 win at home Jan 7th. Next Up: The Islanders play the second of a 3 game homestand against Montreal Thursday night. The All-Star Game weekend follows with a game vs. Philadelphia next Tuesday. Montreal comes into the game with 54 points, one more point than the Islanders, who have a game at hand. It will be 7th vs. 8th place. So whoever wins will end up in the 7th spot, with a possible tie for 6th depending on what Toronto does against Carolina Wednesday night. The Standings:
The Islanders with 53 points are tied with Tampa Bay for 8th place, with
the tiebreaker of wins going to the Islanders, 23-21. The Canadiens remain
in 7th place with a 6-3 win over Florida. Tampa Bay remained tied with the
Islanders in points by defeating the Flyers 3-0, handing Philly their 3rd
straight loss. The Boston Bruins defeated Nashville to remain in 5th place
with 58 points, thanks to the great play of newly acquired goaltender Jeff
Hackett. The Rangers remain in 11th place after losing once again to the
Thrashers in Atlanta 5-2. The Rangers, 49 points, have now lost 3 straight
including two to Atlanta, who are 5-1-1 under Bob Hartley. The Isles have
4 games at hand on the Rangers. The Caps lost at home to St. Louis 5-3.
Tonight, 6th place Toronto, 55 points, will be in Carolina, 13th place
with 45 points and looking all about out of it after going to the Stanley
Cup Finals last year. Fight Card: Jason Wiemer vs. Jamie Pushor. Sometimes you wonder if players are aware of things on the ice and if that may play a part in the decision to drop the gloves. The Penguins were right about to get a good open point shot on DiPietro when Wiemer and Pushor decided to go after jousting for the previous few seconds. The fight was kinda close, with both playing throwing punches that weren't really connecting. Wiemer did seem to throw the harder of the two and eventually won a take down, both players falling a bit awkward face first to the ice. Wiemer seemed hurt at first but was ok. Decision: Wiemer. Commentary: Great win. The Islanders could have looked towards the all-star break and getting a much needed rest all too early. But these two game were huge and have crucial playoff implications. The Isles are playing two teams in Pittsburgh and Montreal that are right in the thick of the race. Coming out and defeating the Penguins was a big step and broke the tie in points they held coming into the game. The Islanders need to take that same attitude into Thursday night's game against Montreal. Then hopefully they will get Adrian Aucoin back and heal some other wounds after the all-star break....Did the fans throw the ducks out on the ice as a celebration of the possible coming out of enigmatic Oleg Kvasha? Or is that just an excuse for a bit of stupidity on Isles fans part? Why throw the ducks out when there was no hat trick? It didn't make sense. And why would fans be so quick to throw away a giveaway? Recently some moron writer from Toronto wrote that Long Island had the second worst fans in the league. I frowned on that and tossed it up as just another know nothing Toronto writer. But after this you have to wonder what Isles fans were thinkin.
Report Card: Brad Isbister: Sat out for the 8th time in the last 11 games. Alexei Yashin: Notched a goal and an assist, and was a +2 on the night. His goal was huge as it ended up the game winner. A good confidence boosting game. Shawn Bates: The Peca line was a -1 collectively, but started off the game well with a good offensive opportunity. Mark Parrish: Was all alone with the puck in front of the Pittsburgh net and failed to lift the puck up high enough to score. Usually that is a sure goal for the Isles sniper. Dave Scatchard: Was a +2 on the night but didn't record a shot on goal. Wore a visor after receiving 38 stitches above his left eye late in the game Saturday night against Columbus. 38 stitches? A coincidence? Scatchard wears the #38. Anyway, Scatch seemed a bit subdued while discussing the injury with Fox Sports Deb Kauffman during the first intermission. He discussed how he was appreciative of the good sportsmanship Jamie Allison and Blue Jacket's coach Doug MacLean. Jason Wiemer: The Islanders seemed to really get into his fight with Jamie Pushor along the Isles bench. Jason Blake: Another fantastic game. Gives 100% honest effort every single night. Blake scored another two goals tonight for 16 on the season, doubling his previous career high of 8 set last season. And this all before the all-star break. How does Blakey not get invited to the NHL all-star game??? Imagine him competing for the fastest skater? Or blazing down the ice after receiving passes from some of the top players in the game and showcasing his speed? There's been some rumblings that perhaps he should be a Selke Trophy candidate this season. Perhaps if he can pot a few shorthanders this may become more of a reality. Blake led the Islanders with 5 shots on goal in the game. The goals were his first since notching a hat trick 8 games ago against Atlanta. Was named the first star of the game. Claude Lapointe: Made an excellent pass in the third period up off the boards to spring Blake in all alone on the breakaway. Steve Webb: Sat out his 15th game with chronic back spasms. Is not really listed as day to day anymore. Some sources have him as indefinite as to a return. Arron Asham: Was a +2 and assisted on Kvasha's goal that made it 5-2. Oleg Kvasha: Recorded a goal and an assist, was a +2 with 4 shots. Had a great game for the Islanders and was arguably their best forward. Michael Peca: Was a -1 but had a good start along with his line and sparked the Isles to a strong offensive showing. Mattias Weinhandl: Had a shot on goal. Is still learning the NHL game. Is not getting the points he would like right now and is getting some ice on the fourth line. Raffi Torres: Re-inserted into the lineup. It seems like every game he plays in lately, the Islanders win. Though he only played slightly over 5 minutes on the fourth line. He was a +1. Eric Godard: Called up from Bridgeport earlier in the day to replace Isbister. Got in 4:34 of ice time playing on the fourth line. Defense: Roman Hamrlik: Hamrlik quietly had an outstanding game for the Islanders. He assisted on Yashin's game winner, as well as Kvasha's final goal of the game. He led the Islanders with a +3 and had 4 shots on goal in 27 minutes of ice time. Adrian Aucoin: Missed seventh game with a groin strain. Is listed as day to day. Though Peter Laviolette said it should be "days to days". Shawn Bates recently missed 8 games with the same injury. Eric Cairns: Missed third game with dislocated shoulder. Will miss the next 4-6 weeks, as of January 22nd. Kenny Jonsson: Had 2 shots in 28 minutes ice time. Radek Martinek: Was a +1 with one shot in 25 minutes ice time. Mattias Timander: Had a career game. Had a goal and an assist for two points. He forced the turnover on the Kvasha goal and there is a possibility that he was awarded another assist after the game upon review. He deserved it. Timander was a +1 with 3 shots on goal in 25 minutes of ice time. He took a great one timer to rip the puck into the net to keep the momentum going after Blake scored and put the Isles up 2-0. Mattias was named the third star of the game, his first EVER 3 star selection. Sven Butenschon: Saw 13 minutes ice time. 1 shot on goal. Assisted on Blake's opening goal in the second period. He attempted to put the puck on the net. It hit Blake and the Isles winger took over from there. Ray Schultz: Has hardly played the last three games and has proven to be a liability on the ice when he is out there. The Isles have become so unconfident in him that coach Laviolette decided to go with 5 defensemen tonight, with Butenschon as the fifth d-man and key guys Aucoin & Cairns out of the lineup. Goal: Rick DiPietro: Was absolutely outstanding for the Islanders. Which raises some questions doesn't it? If Rick can play this good in a pressure game, and keep playing this way, as good as Chris Osgood, then would the Isles consider moving Osgood at some point when he returns to the lineup? Back at the start of the season, rumor had it that Ozzie had no trade worth whatsoever. But surely by the trade deadline there may be some suitor looking to acquire a goaltender. Anyway, back to Rick. He mentioned after the game that he told himself he would have to come up big on the 5 on 3 penalty kill. DiPietro did just that the first time. The second time it was inevitable Pittsburgh would score giving them that many chances. DiPietro has matured an incredible amount since we saw him in 2000-01. It was rumored the Isles almost traded him to Boston a couple weeks ago for Kyle McLaren. The Isles soon will realize why that may have been a mistake. Was named the second star of the game. Should definitely get the start against Montreal Thursday night.
Coaches Laviolette made a good move by calling a timeout before the Isles attempted to kill a second straight 5 on 3 Pittsburgh powerplay. But it was inevitable Pittsburgh would eventually score giving them that many chances. DiPietro stood on his head before Pittsburgh finally scored. Laviolette would make a good decision by starting DiPietro Thursday night against Montreal. If the kid comes up big again, then he just may have finally taken the Isles #1 goaltending position. Special Teams The Islanders PP, ranked 18th in the NHL, went 1-3 on the night. Yashin's game winner was scored on the powerplay. It was his 100th powerplay goal of his career. The PK has dropped to 18th after going 1-4 against Columbus. Tonight they were much better as they went 4-5, giving up a goal to Steve McKenna on the second straight 5 on 3 for Pittsburgh.
Lineups: ISLANDERS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS INJURIES: D Adrian Aucoin (groin, days-to-days), D Eric Cairns (dislocated shoulder, 4 to 6 weeks as of Jan. 22), G Chris Osgood (ankle sprain, 3 to 4 weeks as of Jan. 22) and RW Steve Webb (back, day-to-day). PITTSBURGH PENGUINS DEFENSEMEN GOALTENDERS
Power-play Conversions:
PIT - 1 of 5, NYI - 1 of 3.
IslesInfo Pregame Preview Preview Crucial Homestand Jan 28: The Isles return home after splitting their recent two game road trip to face a crucial 3 game homestand. If the Isles are serious about making the playoffs, they will need to gain some points against conference foes Pittsburgh & Montreal. Isles vs. Penguins Preview: New York lost on Saturday for the second time in three games, falling 4-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Islanders rebounded from a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers last Tuesday by winning 3-1 in Philadelphia on Friday, but at Columbus, they allowed the Blue Jackets to score two power-play goals in the opening 5:52 of the game. "Any time you spot a team two goals, it's going to be tough to overcome,'' Islanders coach Peter Laviolette said. "The start was absolutely atrocious. Undisciplined penalties by us and then a complete failure by our penalty-killers cost us the game.'' The Islanders and Penguins are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 51 points each. What's at Stake?: With a win tonight against Pittsburgh, and a loss or tie by Montreal at home against Florida, the Isles could move back into 7th place. Tampa Bay, who are tied with Pittsburgh and the Islanders with 51 points, are in Philadelphia tonight. 11th place Rangers are in Atlanta, a team they have struggled against this season. The 5th place Bruins, 56 points, will host Nashville who are fresh off a 5-1 win in Buffalo last night. The Caps host St. Louis. Tidbits: Dave Scatchard is a game time decision after suffering a nasty gash above his left eye in the game Saturday night against Columbus....RW Eric Godard has been recalled from AHL Bridgeport today....Pittsburgh scored 5 goals in the win over Chicago, but only scored 1 in each of the previous 3 games.
Pens to Trade Soon? Scheduled to become an RFA this summer, Alexei Kovalev stands to gain upwards of $7 million a year from an arbitrator. The Pens are reportedly looking to deal him very soon, but want at least 2 young players in return, and a bunch of cash.
Notes: When the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the New York Islanders earlier this month, Mario Lemieux suffered a groin injury. That affliction will again keep the NHL scoring leader on the sidelines as the teams conclude their season series. Lemieux, who has a league-high 68 points, left Pittsburgh's 6-3 loss to New York on Jan. 7 after hurting his groin in the second period. Lemieux has played only a few shifts since sustaining the injury, missing eight of the Penguins' last nine games. Pittsburgh is 3-4-1-0 in those eight contests. "It's taken a lot longer than I thought,'' said Lemieux, who hinted he may not play in the NHL All-Star game on Sunday. "It's frustrating. Every day you get up and it's still there.'' Lemieux said he doesn't plan on playing Tuesday, and is expected to decide Wednesday if he will try to play Thursday night in Washington. "If I don't play (this week), it would be tough to play in the All-Star game,'' Lemieux said. The Penguins were in a scoring slump recently without Lemieux, but snapped out of it on Saturday. Alexei Kovalev scored three goals and Randy Robitaille added a goal and three assists as Pittsburgh, limited to only one goal in its previous three games, beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. "I was glad to finally help the team,'' said Kovalev, who had just one goal in his previous 15 games. "I scored enough to help us win the game.''
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1998-2003 Tom Mascioli
