Game Preview: Islanders and Pens renew rivalry tonight

The bell will sound at 7 ET tonight in Long Island. Bring out Michael Buffer. "Let's Get Ready To Rumble!!!!!" Cue classic 2Unlimited "Get Ready For This."

Alright. So, maybe we're going a bit overboard about Round One of Pens/Isles at Nassau Coliseum with the rematch Thursday in Pittsburgh. It's well documented what transpired during the last two meetings of '10-11, stemming from a Brent Johnson KO of Rick DiPietro that concussed the unlucky Islander franchise netminder. The Islanders didn't take too kindly to laughter on the Pen bench, earning revenge on the scoreboard and everywhere else by routing them 9-3 and literally beating their old Patrick division rival up. When it was over, 15 fights, 10 game misconducts, 20 misconducts and a combined 346 penalty minutes that would make Reggie Dunlap and The Hansons proud resulted in suspensions for Trevor Gillies and Matt Martin, along with a $100,000 fine.

In retrospect, the Islanders overreacted. Jack Capuano should've called the dogs off in the third because the message was sent loud and clear. Instead, E-Z target Max Talbot got what was coming along with any other Pen they went after. It was ugly. Even if you enjoy Slap Shot, it went overboard, which had to have Gary Bettman shaking.

“For me, it’s not even a rivalry, it’s just another game because obviously the last two games we didn’t play a full 60 minutes, so it doesn’t matter who we are playing right now,” Capuano told NYIslanders.com.

His club must focus on getting back on track after dropping two in a row. Consecutive losses to Tampa (4-1) and Florida (4-2) have the Islanders back at .500 (3-3-0) entering a home-and-home against a team they haven't historically done well against. The Pens own a 19-4-2 record over the last 25 meetings. John Tavares, Al Montoya, Mark Streit and Co. will be looking to change that trend in a year they're expected to compete for the playoffs. The Isles have plenty of weapons but a few aren't chipping in. More is needed from Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey, who have yet to score a goal with only an assist coming off the stick of Okposo, who's expected to break out. It's time.

The Pens amaze under last year's Jack Adams winner Dan Bylsma, who has his team in first with a 6-2-2 mark. Sure. They've played more than anyone else but it's very impressive minus Sidney Crosby and game-time decision Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh continues to be hampered by injuries with key defenseman Zbynek Michalek out four to six weeks with a broken finger. A look at the Pen injured list reminds of what's plagued the Isles over past seasons. Tyler Kennedy is also out with a concussion along with four other Pens joining Michalek and Sid The Kid, who continues to get ready.

It will still be a stiff challenge with Jordan Staal (5-3-8) leading the way along with James Neal (8 goals), Kris Letang (7 assists) and Marc-Andre Fleury (5-2-2, 2.13 GAA, .930 Save Pct). Keep an eye on Matt Cooke, who's stuck to offense instead of thuggery. Plus Matt Niskanen and Chris Kunitz can't be overlooked. In other words, the Pens are more than just their stars. On another team, Staal would be one.

Will the teams stick to hockey or will it have the same edge we had last year? Steve MacIntyre is as tough as they come if Gillies needs a partner. Arron Asham is always game if Matt Martin wants to go. Fasten your seatbelts!

Round One: Tavares hat trick TKO's Rangers

John Tavares' hat trick victimized Marian Gaborik during the Isles' 4-2 win.

Round One was a TKO by John Tavares. Led by the third-year star, the Islanders won the first big match-up between blood rivals- doubling up on the Rangers 4-2 last night at energized Nassau Coliseum. In what amounted to an entertaining, rambunctious and in your face brand of hockey one comes to expect when these New York rivals get together, it was Long Island prevailing over Manhattan thanks to another offensive explosion from Tavares. After being shutout the first two games, the blossoming superstar has eight points over the past two, including his first hat trick of the season along with a helper- factoring in on every Islander goal.

"You're not going to say no to production like that. It's nice to produce. It's what I do best, obviously," Tavares pointed out of his second straight four-point outing. 

"I still see him as a goofy kid. But he's committed to being one of the best players in the league," teammate Matt Moulson praised after notching a goal and assist in the Islanders' third consecutive win. "He's playing with a lot of confidence. When he does that, he can be a scary player. And he's only going to get better once he matures and understands what he's capable of."

Aided by a slew of undisciplined Ranger penalties, Tavares and Co. had no trouble taking full advantage, going two-for-eight. That proved to be the difference with Jack Capuano's club remaining poised unlike their nemesis. Conversely, John Tortorella's team went blank in four chances while drawing the ire of an impatient coach who is tired of using Europe as an alibi for their slow start.

“There is no excuses here,” the displeased Ranger coach said. “We lost a hockey game. That team played better than us, they were more disciplined than us. I don’t want to hear about Europe, I don’t want to hear about if it’s a penalty or not a penalty. We’re not disciplined enough, and Europe has nothing to do with tonight’s game.”

Twice, the road team fought back from one-goal deficits during the first two periods. However, more penalty trouble eventually led to Tavares' winner, which came just seven seconds after Dan Girardi was nabbed for interference. Off a faceoff win, JT91 slipped to the left in the high slot where Islander captain Mark Streit passed through for a ridiculous deflection that Henrik Lundqvist had no chance on. It was the kind of hand eye coordination that makes the franchise player special. Along with improved skating, strength and conditioning, the 21-year old center looks poised for a big year. Similar skill was required on his first power play goal of the night midway thru. With Ryan Callahan out of the box, the Isles still were on the man-advantage thanks to a dubious delay of game call on Brian Boyle. Regardless, Tavares made them pay when he backhanded a low Streit rebound in for his first of the game.

Earlier, Tavares helped set up Moulson's opener off a Ranger turnover. He and P.A. Parenteau combined on a broken play that allowed Moulson to use Steve Eminger as a perfect screen for his second of the season at 12:04 of the first. Before they could get comfortable, the Rangers responded with better even strength play- forcing Evgeni Nabokov to make some tough stops in a busy first (14 saves). Somehow, the Blueshirts survived a loss of discipline that included a bench minor and a foolish Callahan boarding minor which wasn't smart. A great play by Derek Stepan allowed Marian Gaborik to tie it. Moved up to the top line, the sophomore out of Wisconsin made a great backcheck in the neutral zone and then Brad Richards sprung Gaborik, who easily beat Nabokov five-hold to knot it at one. The play of Stepan was one of the bright spots with a backhand lead nearly setting up another Gaborik tally only to see Nabokov deny his backhand deke later.

“There were a couple of times where we kind of took over the game, but unfortunately we took a few penalties and it kind of killed that momentum that we had,” an observant Lundqvist noted after playing a third straight solid game but having nothing to show for it. King Henrik finished with 30 saves. “We have to work even harder to be more disciplined out there.”

A turning point came when Boyle was called for delay of game while on the PK. During Callahan's second minor of the seesaw contest, Boyle killed off 15 seconds without ever closing his hand on the puck. However, ref Steve Kozari felt differently at the urging of the hometown fans amidst a mixture at a soldout (16,234) Coliseum. Despite the Ranger captain returning, they couldn't deny Tavares, who along with Streit and ex-Devil Brian Rolston combined for a 2-1 lead. With Lundqvist busy (13 saves) keeping his team afloat, the reunited checking line of Boyle, Brandon Prust and Ruslan Fedotenko got it tied before the second concluded. Off a forced turnover from Fedotenko, Prust quickly steered a wraparound off Frans Nielsen's skate past a stunned Nabokov to tie it at 18:26.

Oddly enough, it was Nielsen's acting skills which later helped the Islanders kill off a valuable two minutes late in regulation. Prior, Tavares already had No.2 off a great redirection with Girardi off. The Rangers have run into penalty trouble without anchor Marc Staal. They also were without Mike Sauer with ex-Hab Jeff Woywitka faring alright in an abbreviated role (12:27). That forced Tortorella to pair up Mike Del Zotto with rookie Tim Erixon, who was up and down along with his partner. The Swede is still learning. He took a minor and also passed up on two good chances to shoot. Del Zotto meanwhile was more aggressive offensively but is still shaky in his end. 

Meanwhile, the Isles got strong play from Andrew MacDonald, who made several solid defensive plays along with Travis Hamonic. That along with better control allowed the hosts to earn a hard fought victory. They neutralized the Draft Line of Callahan, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky with only Anisimov pulling his weight. Ineffective nights from two of the Ranger leaders forced Tortorella to go with the top line and Boyle's down the stretch. It didn't matter when a turnover led to Parenteau finding Tavares, who hit the open net for his third career hat trick, sending everyone home. 

“We’re probably ready for a good trip,” Tavares said after leading his club to a 3-1 homestand before they head to Florida for two games versus the Lightning and Panthers. “It’s always a great way to develop chemistry. It was a huge start for us, and other than the first night we took full advantage of it.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (2 SOG, 3 hits, takeaway in 18:36)

2nd Star-Mark Streit, NYI (2 primary assists, 3 SOG in 24:50)

1st Star-John Tavares, NYI (1st hat trick of season/assist, 3rd career, +2 in 17:29)

Around The Horn: Isles, Devils get first wins

Twenty-four hours later, I'm sure panic has been replaced by calm for both Islander and Devil supporters, whose teams each posted their first wins of the new season on Columbus Day. Ironically, the old Patrick rivals each hosted special Columbus matinees at 1 and got the desired result that disappointed fans had anticipated on Saturday. Both clubs were flat in their season debuts each getting shutout. Something you rarely see. How often do two locals open up without scoring even a goal? We'll bet it hasn't happened much if ever.

The Islanders and Devils each responded with stronger performances yesterday. On Long Island, Jack Capuano's bunch made two early goals stand up in a 2-1 win over Minnesota while in Newark, new captain Zach Parise's first two goals along with Ilya Kovalchuk's game decider pushed the Devs past Carolina 4-2- earning new coach Pete DeBoer his first win.

"Winning is always good. It's always a good feeling," noted Parise, who notched his first two goals since last Oct.23, 2010. "I just think you can tell tonight was just a better team effort for us. We were hungry on the puck. We were winning a lot more battles, and by doing that we were able to get a lot more offensive zone time. You can tell when we're playing well, we're doing things right: Our D are jumping in at the right time, our forwards are covering for the D. We're not throwing the puck away. If we can identify that that's when we have all our pressure, we'll be all right."

Twice, the Canes rallied from one-goal deficits to make it anyone's contest after two. Following Parise's first of the season from reunited Czechs Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora, Carolina used a relentless forecheck to draw even when ex-Leaf Alexei Ponikarovsky deflected a Tim Gleason shot off Andy Greene past Johan Hedberg. DeBoer's club quickly replied 40 seconds later when Kovalchuk set up Mark Fayne's first. Undeterred, the Hurricanes tied it again on a fluky Chad LaRose shot from the right circle that fooled Hedberg. Before the period concluded, a Kovalchuk gaffe nearly beat his own goalie when an attacking Cane reached in with the Russian dangerously close to Hedberg. But his long-time 'mate from Atlanta was alert, allowing fans to relax.

Kovalchuk made sure to put the puck in the right net when he cashed his own rebound off a nice combination from Jacob Josefson and Nick Palmeiri. Parise's empty netter salted it away. The stars were the Devs' best players with Parise netting two goals, Kovalchuk finishing with a goal and two helpers while Elias and Sykora each added an assist. Palmeiri also had two helpers and Hedberg made 24 saves.

The Islanders used two first period tallies from Andrew MacDonald (PPG) and Frans Nielsen to even up their record at 1-1. MacDonald slammed home a Travis Hamonic rebound that caromed out to put the Isles on the board. A couple of minutes later, a brilliant pass from new captain Mark Streit allowed Nielsen to neatly deflect home his first. It was the kind of vision that the club missed last year from Streit, who made a great read from the left point, finding Nielsen all alone for what turned out to be the game-winner.

Capuano had to like what he saw from Al Montoya, who made his second consecutive start. The former Ranger No.1 pick was sharp making 20 saves, including a couple of sparklers late in the second when the Wild applied pressure. One-time Blueshirt Matt Cullen broke up the shutout 73 seconds into the third when he beat Montoya high glove thanks to a nice set up from Guillaume Latendresse. A couple of minutes later, Montoya denied new Wild Dany Heatley in front to preserve the lead. The Islander D did the rest, standing up to Minny's tactics, to earn their first 'W.'

"We kept it pretty simple in the first period," pointed out Streit. "We advanced the puck in straight lines, we got it deep and we went to work. That's how we're going to be successful, and we got away from that in the second and third periods. We did what we can't do. … We have to make sure that doesn't happen again."

The Islanders and Devils each have two days off before returning to action. The Isles host Tampa Bay and the Devs take on the Kings, fresh from their Euro invasion on Thursday. The other New York teams who participated overseas play later this week with undefeated Buffalo (2-0-0) hosting the Canes while the winless Rangers (0-0-2) visit Nassau County Saturday.

Analysis: SomeLikeItGreen's Battle Team

In yesterday's post, we wondered what an all Battle Team would look like. Selecting the best of the four Battle clubs (Buf, NJD, NYI, NYR) certainly isn't easy but I wouldn't have it any other way. As we discovered, one response had some interesting suggestions. Let's take a look at what SomeLikeItGreen came up with before I take my crack:

Kovalchuk-Richards-Gaborik

Parise-Zajac-Grabner
Vanek-Tavares-Callahan
Avery-Gerbe-Zuccarello


Streit-Ehrhoff
Leopold-Staal
Larsson-Myers


Lundqvist
Miller


Coach: Tortorella; Asst.: Ruff

Right away, they took the most talented scorers and put them with top center Brad Richards. I just don't know if there are enough pucks to go around to satisfy both Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik. But it paints a dream scenario with the dangerous right-handed sniper on the left side and the just as potent lefty on the right for Richy Rich to set up. SLIG's second unit is intriguing, combining all the elements a good scoring line should have. You got size in Travis Zajac, grit and skill in Zach Parise, plus high potential in Michael Grabner, whose second half still marvels. This could be a potent unit with game-breakers. Plus Zajac's ability to win faceoffs and battles in the corners along with Parise's competitiveness would make them tough to contain on the cycle.
 
What's not to love about a third line of Thomas Vanek and Ryan Callahan centered by emerging star John Tavares? Even though his production hasn't been the same since that monster '05-06, Vanek's a better player now- more responsible defensively and unselfish. He's never had a legit No.1 to play with. Tavares is ready to put it altogether. We see at least a 38-39-77 third year. Then you have the hardest worker pound for pound in Callahan, who'll do anything to win. His offense improved to nearly a point-per-game, which should land the future Ranger captain a nice contract. A perfect complement to the skill of JT91 and Vanek, who can outwork opponents. 
 
SomeLikeItGreen's (SLIG) fourth line is based on potential featuring Sabre mighty mite Nathan Gerbe, who came on strong. There's also wildcard Mats Zuccarello, who early in his recall on Broadway demonstrated some deft stickhandling and underrated playmaking. MZA has a lot to prove this Fall. The pressure's on. Taking pest Sean Avery is sensible to create space for the two midgets. Sean's not exactly a giant but plays bigger by finishing checks and winning puck battles. He'll also drive opponents nuts. Especially around the edge of the crease. There's grit, speed and finishing ability.
 
The D is unique because I wouldn't have come up with any of those combos. Teaming Mark Streit and Christian Ehrhoff puts an emphasis on puckmoving blueliners who can get involved. It'd be interesting to see if Ehrhoff could cover for Streit when he pinches. Both certainly are capable of contributing but Streit's the more physical player, which is risky. If you want an attacking team, they'll supply it. Jordan Leopold and Marc Staal are more conventional, combining a solid skater with a defensive D. If anything, Leopold's proven to be underrated due to health. When on the ice, he's fully capable of producing while not looking out of place in his end. Staal is already one of the best defenders in the game, who uses his reach and skating to get pucks out. While his passing still needs work, he does have the ability to jump in if needed as a highlight reel shorthanded goal proved versus Pittsburgh. But that's not his job. He's far more comfortable playing in his end as opposed to pinching. So, this would be a solid combo. If you like youth/potential, then Adam Larsson and Tyler Myers have it all. A smooth skater who's sound overall in the Devil gem that can chip when needed, while Myers brings the lumber along with a potent shot that intimidates. In a few years, they could be the premier duo among BONY. Good thing they're not on the same roster.
 
SLIG opted to go with King Henrik over Miller Time in net. If you preach consistency, then I agree that Henrik Lundqvist certainly qualifies with 30-or-more victories every season since the lockout, along with Olympic gold. Not bad for a seventh round steal. Ryan Miller has more credentials, including a Vezina along with a heroic Olympic performance in defeat. He's also been to two Conference Finals. I guess it depends on who you prefer. Miller is far more aggressive challenging shooters while Lundqvist stays back in his net to protect his glove, which has improved. Both have a tendency to allow softies. So, it's a tough call.
 
Choosing John Tortorella over Lindy Ruff is interesting. I guess SLIG likes an all aggressive style, which forces the goalie to make game-breaking saves. If you want emotion, Tort's got it. He hates losing. Ruff's not that different, sometimes sounding off to protect his guys. But he's also a little cooler off the ice, which would probably help. Since we now know that Pete DeBoer is coaching the Devils, we'll take him over Jack Capuano to complete the staff. He's got more experience and did a respectable job with Hawks South. I like the defensive element he brings. Besides, you can't have three loud mouths. It just doesn't add up.
 
Since we decided to analyze SomeLikeItGreen's Battle Team, I'll hold off on mine till tomorrow. Here's the breakdown per each roster.
 
Sabres-6
Devils-4
Islanders-3
Rangers-7

Islanders a mess

The Islanders remain a mess under new coach Jack Capuano, having dropped six straight after falling 5-0 at Nashville last night. With only one win over the Devils that ended the miserable 14-game winless streak, it's hard to conclude that any progress is being made since the coaching change.

How does all the losing affect John Tavares, who himself is having a tough sophomore year? The former '09 No.1 overall pick has eight goals and six assists for 14 points along with a minus-19 rating in 25 games. However, he missed time with a concussion and doesn't exactly have much around him outside top finisher Matt Moulson, who paces the club with 10 markers and 16 points. Frans Nielsen is second with 15 points (4-11-15)- also matched by James Wisniewski (2-13-15) and Blake Comeau (5-10-15). Tavares is tied with ex-Ranger P.A. Parenteau (4-10-14) for sixth with 14 points.

If you're an Islander fan looking at the stat sheet, you're wondering why Tavares isn't on top and where the heck is Josh Bailey. A player Garth Snow traded down to get. To say it's been a rough season for the third-year pro would be an understatement. Bailey got out alright but went into a dreadful slump that eventually saw the club demote him to Bridgeport where he got hurt. It has all gone wrong for the projected second line center.

Then there's Kyle Okposo, who can't seem to stay on the ice. The emerging power wing is a big part of the team's future and seemed poised for a big season. Instead, he remains out after having right shoulder surgery, having not even debuted. On a club without much depth, that was a big blow as was the loss of top defender Mark Streit after a freak accident in practice back in preseason. The Islanders remain without more than half their starting blueline with both Milan Jurcina and Mike Mottau also on the mend along with Mark Eaton. Injury prone Radek Martinek finally missed a game last night with an arm problem.

All the injuries which occur every year like Bill Murray's Groundhog Day character Phil having the same day repeat over and over again, makes one wonder if this franchise is hexed. Between the whole screwy arena lease which hampers them along with owner Charles Wang's agenda oriented Lighthouse Project and Snow's execution of Islander blogger and former PR man Chris Botta cause he dared criticize the team, it's like a night at the circus. And we don't mean Barnum & Bailey or even James Dolan's clowns at MSG, who sadly look good compared to what's going on on the Island.

Even as a rival fan, I throw my hands up in the air at how the Islanders can ever turn it around and field a competitive roster. They are so bad right now that it's almost got an expansion feel to it. This is a franchise that's been around for five decades and once were league darlings with an Islander Dynasty spanning 1980-83. Hell. Even '84 though they fell short of winning No.5 against the Gretzky and Messier Oilers. This is a franchise that hasn't won a single round since that miraculous '93 run to the Conference Finals before Patrick Roy's Habs took them out.

Then, there's the mystery of Rick DiPietro and if he'll ever be the same following all the surgeries. When he gives up a goal off a faceoff because his head's down and it turns into the winner in a wild Atlanta game that featured over 1,200 Quebec Nordique fans cheering wildly at each 15 minute mark, it begs the question when is enough enough? With only five wins and a measly 15 points in 28 games, they have last all to themselves, having been outscored 98-59. The sad aspect is they started the season in first before the roof caved in Metrodome style. Apologies state of Minnesota.

So, the next time a Yankee fan complains (I am one) about Cliff Lee stuffing them for the Phillies, please. Even Mets fans have it better. Though you wouldn't know it by the way the new regime's operating. It might be time to put a giant HELP sign in front of Nassau Coliseum. Maybe then Gary Bettman will finally notice.

Gordon firing sadly predictable

Scott Gordon was fired the other day after his team lost its 10th straight. But was it the right move for the rebuilding Islanders?

The writing was on the wall. When your team doesn't win games, usually something happens. Unfortunately for Scott Gordon, that meant he was held responsible for a tumultuous 10-game losing streak behind the Islander bench. So much for preaching patience in Year Three of a rebuild that really didn't start till the club landed franchise center John Tavares last year.

Patience and club owner Charles Wang don't mix. Peter Laviolette wasn't good enough after getting the club back to the playoffs pre-lockout, eventually landing on his feet guiding the Hurricanes to Lord Stanley in '05-06. Replacement Steve Stirling didn't make it through two seasons on the Island despite Wang's cost cutting ways. Ted Nolan lasted two years before being mysteriously fired by Garth Snow during the summer of '08. Gordon replaced him and was supposed to be the young coach who would lead the franchise into the future.

Despite back-to-back last place finishes his first two seasons, Gordon had the '09-10 Islanders in playoff contention until the final three weeks. Under him, the Islanders played hard- bringing a strong work ethic to the rink. In Tavares' rookie year, they improved from 26 wins and a league worst 61 points in '08-09 to 34 wins and 79 points, finishing nine points behind eighth Montreal, who upset Washington and Pittsburgh before falling to the seventh seeded Flyers. Nine out from the two unlikely Eastern Conference Finalists. A marked improvement from Year One when he had little to work with. Last year, he was supposed to get Rick DiPietro back but instead the franchise netminder got into eight games before another setback finished his season. Good thing Snow brought in vets Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron. Otherwise it would've been another uphill climb.

Aside from better goaltending particularly from Roloson, Tavares scored 24 goals and former King Matt Moulson reached 30, giving Gordon two players who scored 20-or-better. Remarkably, no Islander hit 20 in his first year with Kyle Okposo pacing the club with 18. The former '06 first rounder improved to 19 markers and a career best 33 helpers and 52 points. Before this season ever started, Gordon lost his power wing to right shoulder surgery which could keep him out until Christmas. He also was without Mark Streit to a torn left labrun (rotator cuff). Call it bad luck. How many coaches can overcome the loss of their top defenseman and top six forward? Take a look across the Hudson for primary example No.1 where expectations are much higher. Tavares also missed three games due to a concussion. We're not talking about a plethora of talent here.When you're relying on kids like JT91, Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen, Blake Comeau, Michael Grabner and even Rob Schremp, who just returned this month, it takes time.

Don't remind Wang, whose penny pinching ways haven't helped his coaches. Factor in the Alexei Yashin albatross which still counts against the Islander salary cap and it's mind numbing. Yashin and former defenseman Brendan Witt are being paid not to play at a combined $5.76 million. Subtract their buyout clauses and the Isles would be hovering just over the cap cutoff. Despite the way they're run, Snow did well in the offseason beefing up the blueline with James Wisniewski, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina and ex-Devil Mike Mottau. Wisniewski has been as advertised leading the club with 13 points (2-11-13) while playing hard nosed. Eaton paces them with 38 blocked shots with Mottau's 28 right behind. Before Jurcina went down to a bad hamstring, he had 22 hits and 18 blocks while also contributing two goals and a helper. Andrew MacDonald only played seven games before breaking his hand. So, Gordon lost half his D.

Before the 10-game skid (0-9-1) which cost him his job, he had the team out to a surprising 4-2-1 start in first. That was due to hot starts from Comeau, Bailey and Ranger castoff P.A. Parenteau with help from Moulson, Nielsen and captain Doug Weight. Everyone chipped in. If you compared their first month to November, it explains why they're struggling to score goals. Bailey hasn't registered a point in a month, possibly not the same after missing two games. The club is counting on the third-year forward to take pressure off Tavares, who's hit a slump having not lit the lamp the past eight games. He carries a club worst minus-12 along with Wisniewski into tonight's home match versus the Lightning.

With new interim coach Jack Capuano coming up from Bridgeport, maybe it'll light a fire. Sometimes, coaching changes work. Even if this one seems for the wrong reasons. Gordon was a good man and his team tried during the skid, falling short at Anaheim and San Jose. There was also the gut wrenching home loss to the enemy Flyers in which punk Daniel Carcillo got away with a late hit after a whistle. Current Ranger Ruslan Fedotenko got nabbed but a bully like Carcillo doesn't and eventually the Flyers score late breaking the Isles' backs. You figure it out. That's how it went for Gordon, who suddenly went from a rising coach good enough to help assist Team USA to an Olympic silver medal in Vancouver to moving upstairs next to Snow. It's true his teams never scored much which was part of the reason Snow made the change. Maybe Capuano changes that.

“When we’re in a situation we’re in right now—we’ve lost 10 games in a row—sometimes you have to go with your gut and make decisions that are tough,” explained the Islander GM of axing Gordon, who finishes with a 64-94-23 record. “We believe we need a change in direction and, with the majority of the regular season still ahead of us, our goal remains to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs."

“Hopefully, we can get some new energy, some new ideas, a different style of play,” Tavares said. “Scott tried a lot of different things, and we played better than other teams some nights. We didn’t get a lot of breaks. Things didn’t go our way, and Garth felt it was the right time to bring in some new ideas.”

It's never easy when anyone loses their job. Especially a guy well respected. When players don't perform, this is what happens. Part of the ugly business of sports. Gordon never had the benefit of a healthy Islander roster and neither will his replacement at least for a while. Capuano joined the Isles as an assistant coach in '05-06 before taking over Bridgeport where he went 133-100-8-14.

"I don’t know if you need to shake it up too much,” he said. “Scott brought a lot of structure a couple of years ago, but there are some things we’ll tweak a little.”

“We’re just concerned about Wednesday,” Snow added. “He’s the coach of this team as we speak right now. He’s excited about the opportunity and looking forward to getting this team turned around.”

Starting tonight, the Islanders play 11 of the next 16 games at home following a brutal stretch that saw them go 2-8-2 in 12 of the first 17 away from Nassau Coliseum. The game against NHL scoring leader Steven Stamkos will be just the sixth off the Meadowbrook. Ironically, they played well on home ice last year going 23-14-4. Road woes are what cost them any chance of the postseason, winning just 11 of 41 (11-23-7) the previous season. If they're to get back on track under Capuano, that must change.

“It’s not the ideal situation,” Capuano said following his first practice Monday. “I have great respect for Scott. We’ve been friends for a long time and I’ve learned a great deal from him. But there was a change, and I’ll make the best of my opportunity.”

Injuries to Streit and Okposo challenge Islanders once again

Call it deja vu. The regular season hasn't even started and already the Islanders are facing an uphill battle. A couple of days after learning top defender Mark Streit likely will miss six months with a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff suffered in a collision with Matt Moulson during a team practice, third-year right wing Kyle Okposo will also be on the mend also due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder which will require surgery, keeping him out two months.

Hard to believe how much bad luck the club has as last year wasn't too kind either, placing in the top 10 in man-games lost to injury with 256- just ahead of the Devils (249). The biggest setbacks last season were to captain Doug Weight (46) and franchise netminder Rick DiPietro (74). Now, Scott Gordon's young club is faced with another challenge having lost its best defenseman and a top six forward 10 days before 2010-11 gets underway at home against Dallas October 9. GM Garth Snow already added ex-Devil Mike Mottau to the blueline with the vet inking a two-way deal per Newsday's Katie Strang. 

For Okposo, it was expected to be a big Year Three but now he'll have to wait. Last year, he caught a lethal Dion Phaneuf open ice hit which concussed him yet somehow missed only two games. Not surprisingly, it took a while for the former Islander '06 seventh overall selection to get untracked. But the 22 year-old from St. Paul finished his second season strong, attaining new career highs in games (80), goals (19), assists (33), points (52) and shots (249). He never takes a shift off, always finishing every check. It'll be hard to replace that skillset.

More pressure's on John Tavares, who'll need Moulson to duplicate last year while teammates Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen, Blake Comeau and Rob Schremp all are vital to the club's success. Weight and vet Trent Hunter will be the unquestioned leaders but is JT91 ready to assume a role as well?

As for losing Streit who's their best scorer from the back end while logging the most minutes, offseason pickup James Wisniewski becomes even more important. He's capable of stepping up and should have something to prove on his third team in less than three years (Chi, Ana, NYI). The Wiz is a solid puckmover who plays a ferocious style that got him into trouble last season due to this late cheapshot on former Chicago 'mate Brent Seabrook. He must stay on the ice and help anchor a corps that allowed 40 more goals (254 GA) than the club scored (214). Blocked shot machine Mark Eaton should also provide help as well as experience. He helped the Pens win Lord Stanley.

It'll take a collective effort. Jack Hillen and Andrew MacDonald are solid skaters who could provide a lift. Adding Mottau to the mix can't hurt as he fared respectively in the Garden State, reviving his career. There's also former Cap Milan Jurcina who plays physical but lacks mobility. Figure him to be used sparingly. Does Bruno Gervais get back in Gordon's good graces? The third-year Islander coach must also decide if either Travis Harmonic or Calvin de Haan are ready. It might be worth taking a look.

Gordon also thinks DiPietro can start 60 games but it's hard to take seriously. Besides, vet Dwayne Roloson did an admirable job last year. So, they shouldn't have to rush DP back. Our advice is simple. Work him in slowly. That way his body can recover.

For a team that finished 13th in the East with a 34-37-11 record with 79 points, they hung tough most of last season. They were excellent at home posting a 23-14-4 mark while struggling on the road (11-23-7), which must change. This group is being asked to once again defy the odds. We'll see if they're up to the challenge.

Rangers awaken in time to edge Islanders

If tonight wasn't a microcosm of what's been a trying season, I don't know what is. The good news is the Rangers won to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The bad is that neither the Devils nor Leafs cooperated. Notice we didn't mention Boston or Atlanta because they did what they were supposed to. Our team needed help from a loathesome rival and Brian Burke's guys north of the border. Unfortunately, the downside of Ilya Kovalchuk happened along with an ugly Toronto power play, allowing both teams ahead to hold serve. Patrice Bergeron's OT winner with 18.3 seconds left gave the B's 82 points- putting them into a three-way tie with idle Philadelphia and Montreal. Nik Antropov's 24th goal held up giving the Thrashers a 3-2 victory to move up to 80 points with five games left.

As for the Blueshirts, they awakened just in time to comeback and edge the Islanders 4-3 off the Meadowbrook. The club's third win in four (3-0-1) gives them 78 points, remaining two behind ninth Hotlanta and four out with six games to go. Boston's desperation 1-0 shutout OT triumph over New Jersey makes it less likely for John Tortorella's club to qualify for a fifth consecutive postseason. Amazingly, our post-lockout ('05-06 thru '08-09) is one of the longest active streaks, trailing the Red Wings who haven't clinched No.19 along with the Devils (lucky No.13 in a row). Calgary, who also looks like toast- has made the playoffs five straight seasons dating back to their miraculous run to the Cup Final pre-lockout. San Jose made it six. So, that puts us fifth. Correction: Per BroadwayBlue, we were tied with the Ducks. Loose translation: The Bettman dream has come true. P-A-R-I-T-Y

How to describe tonight's unpredictable/chaotic Ranger venture that allowed them to survive with their heads intact? Two words. Roller coaster. As evidenced in our prior rant, they couldn't have sucked any worse during a lifeless opening 20 minutes that were illustration A as to why this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs. Anything they could do to foul up their situation beyond recovery, they tried. Lack of discipline. Be thy name Wade Redden leading to a fourth bench minor against your biggest rival, who of course were only too glad to cash it in via a seeing eye Mark Streit power play goal that went right past Henrik Lundqvist's glove. Lack of intensity. Allowing a much more determined Islander club hell bent on revenge to win every single battle in the uncompetitive first driving the NYR Twitter Universe mad. If only the nicolewesttts, JPLSs, NYRangerRealitys, carolena10s, howie9416s, antheias, nhenry5s snowkitten35s, EpicKaitlins played. There's only so much they can do. Instead, we watched in horror as a turnover led to Blake Comeau's marshmallow shot fooling Lundqvist. When the puck went off his pads and in off the post, it just screamed 'Classic tease.' Before the madness ended, my quick rant was up, almost daring them to wake up from the mushroom cloud they were stuck in.

Thankfully, Dwayne Roloson cooled off by permitting a Vinny Prospal stinker from a dreadful angle to give the Rangers life. Apparently, it also awoke Olli Jokinen who'd been as much of a help to our Drive For Five as Donald Brashear. The Jokester's first point since he was relevant (okay maybe not quite) got the juices flowing. And for the first time in weeks, he contributed a goal that tied it stunning everyone in the Coliseum. Even all the Ranger fans sitting near the glass had to be in a drunken daze wondering if they'd really witnessed it. He took full advantage of Kyle Okposo breaking his stick, stripping him of the puck before whizzing one upstairs for an unassisted tally.

By that point, the Islanders already blew their opportunity to take command of the game, severely misfiring on a two-man advantage following a brutal Brandon Prust hit from behind on John Tavares. Somehow, it was called just two for cross checking. In our view, it easily could've been five and a game. How they saw fit to call only a minor is beyond me. JT91 had no protection and could've gotten seriously hurt. But because he was able to get up and skate on his own power, a bush league call. Still, the Isles didn't do anything worth a dime with it and it wound up costing them the game. In fact, after outshooting their hated rival 9-4 over a dominant first, they were outshot 15-6 and outscored 3-zip in a dismal second that had to drive Scott Gordon nuts. For everything his club did right early, they reversed. Unable to convert on a couple of odd-man rushes, they watched Jokinen tie it and then left Marian Gaborik wide open for his 40th with 2:45 remaining, putting the guests ahead for good. Chris Drury outhustled an Islander to a loose puck behind the net and Aaron Voros centered it to Gaborik who snapped one through Roloson's wickets.

Gaborik's fourtieth is the second time in three seasons he's hit 40, also doing so in a healthy '07-08 with the Wild in which he established career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83). In Game 70 for the Rangers, he became the 17th player in franchise history to score 40 and first since Jaromir Jagr's club record 54 in '05-06. Even with some of the slumps the Great Gabby's hit on an otherwise offensive starved team, Year One has been pretty good. The goal was his 80th point of the season. He needs three points to match a career best and four in the final half dozen to surpass it. He also played in almost every Olympic game for Slovakia scoring a few more while being hobbled. Not bad for a guy whose durability was severely questioned. The Rangers are going to need more from him if they're to have any chance.

Before the period's conclusion, Trevor Gillies took an ill advised roughing minor on Prust. After initially throwing him down post-whistle and then playing innocent, he twice went after Prust along the boards including a silly punch with his glove on, forcing the refs to call it. I think he saw the ice just once more. A late Islander shot a split second after the buzzer led to pushing and shoving from both sides involving P.A. Parenteau and Okposo. Playing his second game since a recall for injured Sean Avery, Parenteau again was effective in a scoring role for Tortorella. He later set up Marc Staal's decider. Michal Rozsival started it with a solid defensive play in his end before making a perfect outlet to Parenteau, who then cut and dished for Prospal leading to a two-on-one. He quickly moved the puck to an on-rushing Marc Staal, who caught Roloson moving with a quick low wrister that extended to 4-2 with less than 15 minutes left. Staal's sixth was his first since 1/19, ending a 25-game drought. The third-year blueliner was steady along with Rozsival with each logging big minutes throughout.

With nothing going on, the Islanders finally made it interesting when another odd Comeau offering went right past Lundqvist for his third multi-goal game in six weeks. He also had a hat trick on 3/2 vs Chicago and a pair on Valentine's Day vs Ottawa. No question the third-year forward's evolving into a solid player for the Isles. They have to be pleased with what they've gotten from the former '04 second rounder who improved to a career high 14 goals and 30 points tonight. Sean Bergenheim added an assist as did Mark Flood, who recorded his first NHL point. Congrats.

Unfortunately for the home club, Comeau's second of the night which made it 4-3 with still 6:33 remaining was as close as they got. To Lundqvist's credit, he steadied following the poor first turning aside 18 of the last 19- finishing with 25 saves en route to his 31st win. The 3/25 victory over who else but Martin Brodeur and Co. allowed him to make NHL history, becoming the first goalie ever to win 30-or-more in his first five seasons. Even if gimmick induced, major props to Henrik for being the one rock we got. I get on him a lot but he's been essentially naked this season and is poised to finish with the second highest save percentage of his career. No small task.

The Islanders pulled Roloson late but never really threatened as the Blueshirts did a good job in their end, getting a nice clear from Prust who must've had a laugh afterwards due to the Islanders' failure to stick up for Tavares. Inexcusable if you're an Islander fan. For the Rangers, they at least remembered there was a game and saved themselves from humiliation and virtual elimination. But with the teams in front of them four clear and Atlanta showing no indications of collapsing, it looks like they might have to win out. Does even the most homeristic Ranger fan actually believe they can do that?

For now, they'll continue the six-game road swing to Florida with the next one at the Lightning Friday and then to Florida the following day. In desperation mode, they finished March with a 6-5-3 record.
M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y.


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Michal Rozsival, NYR (4 hits, 3 blocked shots, +1 in 27:51)
2nd Star-Blake Comeau, NYI (2 goals-career best 14, 4 SOG, +1 in 17:45)
1st Star-Vinny Prospal, NYR (18th of season, assist, 3 SOG, +3 in 20:28)

Islanders blanked by Quick

If they fall short in their bid for a postseason, the Islanders will look back on the past 24 hours in California. A night removed from a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime defeat to Saku Koivu and Anaheim, the Long Island club was blanked by Los Angeles 1-zip at Staples Center. Jon Quick turned aside all 26 in backstopping the Kings past Scott Gordon's club- dealing them a second consecutive tough loss.

Unlike Friday when the roof caved in with the team blowing a 4-2 third period lead before Koivu won it 14 seconds into OT, the Islanders never led against another desperate club attempting to qualify for their first postseason since 2001-02. Terry Murray's bunch entered with 85 points- four better than Calgary and Detroit, who pulled off another magic rabbit out of the hat in a thriller against Vancouver courtesy of Henrik Zetterberg. With Nashville also pulling out a 1-0 OT decision in Columbus, the pressure was on LA to hold serve. Thanks to Brad Richardson's tally midway through the first period, Quick was able to make it stand up, moving the Kings past the Preds into fifth out West with 87 points. One better than idle Colorado, who fell to seventh with the Wings three back and ninth Calgary five out.

While that was good news for their opponent, it sure did nothing for the Islanders who remained at 68 points tied with red hot Carolina, who came back to beat Pittsburgh courtesy of Jamie McBain's OT winner with under a second left moving them into a three-way 11th place tie with the Lightning (3-1 loss to Caps) and Isles. Technically, Gordon's club ranks 13th by virtue of one more game played (72-71). Trailing eighth Boston by six with only 10 left, they'll actually have to root for the Rangers later today in the NBC Of The Week. They'll need the enemy to win in regulation. Go figure. While March Madness is taking place in another sport, there's plenty of madness going on in the NHL where you had Calgary fans rooting for the Canucks tonight to no avail.

No doubt these are desperate times for a young Islander team led by rookie John Tavares, whose five-point game in a win over those Nucks a few nights ago gave them life in this wacky race. If only they'd held onto that two-goal lead a night before, which ultimately saw a furious Gordon walk out of a press conference following the dreaded third period question. Sure. They got a point but at this pressure packed time of year, you need every single one. Especially with the wins tiebreaker. Their 29 victories are two less than Boston, the Rangers and Atlanta, who go Niclas Bergfors' 20th (7th as a Thrasher) in a 5-2 home triumph over Philadelphia to pull within a point of the Bruins.

The odds are stacked against them but stranger things have happened. Aside from Carolina, nobody's playing well. If the Isles can put together one more good stretch, who knows? They don't play again until Wednesday's Garden 3D clash against the Rangers before returning home for a tough back-to-back against Calgary. They'll then visit Columbus before seeing the Blueshirts once more on March 30. In other words, those games will have even more significance. Of a possible 20 points that could take them to a max of 88, they'll likely need to go 8-1-1 to give themselves a realistic chance. Not bad for a team written off before the season in Year 1 Of JT91. Believe it or not, 85 could do it for that final spot. In '02-03, under the guidance of Peter Laviolette, the Islanders squeezed out 83 to hold off the Rangers.

Can a similar miracle take place? While they'll need plenty of help, the Islanders will need to play their best hockey. One point will no longer do. And zero like they got Saturday are a no no. Sure. They competed hard against a solid team who also want to steal some of the spotlight from Kobe's Lakers. But despite coming close with Tavares setting up Kyle Okposo on the doorstep with nine seconds left, it wasn't enough.

Unfortunately, Richardson's lone tally stood up. The only goal was set up by Wayne Simmonds, who dug out a loose puck and found his teammate in the slot for a wrister which beat Dwayne Roloson at 13:35 of the first. The Isles did get chances but weren't able to solve Quick, who also got help from his best friend the goalpost on a Tavares shot early in the second. Late in the stanza, the rookie had another glorious chance denied when his backhand was shutdown by the sprawling Kings' netminder. It was that kind of night.

“We had some glorious opportunities, but they got the best of us,”a disappointed former King and leading Islander finisher Matt Moulson expressed. “One big mistake cost us the game.”

Roloson, who played a stellar game himself turning aside 25 of 26, thwarted Jarrett Stoll's shorthanded bid to keep it a one-goal deficit with under 16 minutes remaining. It wasn't a good night for the Islander power play which fired blanks in four chances against a hot PK that's now killed 24 straight.

“The penalty kill is just really about work and execution,” LA captain Dustin Brown said. “We’ve kind of gotten into a groove with short shifts.”

For New York, it would come down to the wire with Gordon pulling Roloson for an extra skater with over a minute to go. The Kings killed most of it with stellar work in the neutral zone. However, finally a Mark Streit dump with under 35 ticks left gave his teammates a chance to recover the puck along the right wall. A great hustle play by Richard Park kept it alive where Tavares got the biscuit behind the net and quickly threaded a no-look backhand feed to Okposo. But Friday's multi-goal scorer couldn't beat Quick, who was in perfect position to snuff out the dangerous opportunity.

Needing to win the draw for one last shot, the Isles couldn't as LA won the puck and cleared the zone as time wound down- dealing them another hard defeat. Now, they become spectators and will have to hope for help from the Rangers until they meet Wednesday. Insanity.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Brad Richardson, LA (game-winner-11th of season, 0 goals in '09-10)
2nd Star-Dwayne Roloson, NYI (25 saves in 45th start of season)
1st Star-Jon Quick, LA (26 saves for 4th SHO of season-8th career)

Special teams the difference in Isles' win over Devs

It was a simple formula for Scott Gordon's club Saturday against their old Patrick nemesis. Special teams were the difference in a well earned 4-2 home victory over the Devils off the Meadowbrook. 


Second period power play goals a minute apart from Jon Sim and Mark Streit along with a momentum turning Sean Bergenheim shorthanded goal midway through the third was enough for the Islanders to snap a four-game winless streak. They victimized former teammate Yann Danis, who made a rare start for Martin Brodeur, who Jacques Lemaire rested in New Jersey's third game in four days. 

“We wanted to get lots of shots and traffic in front of him,” Streit indicated. “He probably didn’t have a lot of confidence tonight. We wanted to take advantage of that. Marty is a huge goalie, a very good goalie. He plays the puck unbelievable. It’s a big difference if he is in net.”

A solid strategy but early on, it was the resurgent Devils who entered off back-to-back home wins over the Rangers and Pens, that carried the play. For a third consecutive game, the guys from Newark struck first when a seeing eye Mike Mottau shot snuck past Dwayne Roloson at 2:52. Rod Pelley and Dean McAmmond netted assists. 

New Jersey continued to carry play, outshooting the Isles 7-1 over the first 13 minutes. When Roloson, who'd never beaten the Devils before- made a routine stop, the restless Long Islanders gave him the business. However, the 40 year-old veteran who's provided solid goaltending for the club bounced back, finishing with  a game high 38 saves including 20 of 21 in a hectic third to finally earn a 'W' versus the Devs. 

With about five minutes left in the first, the hosts finally got untracked- bunching most of their 11 shots on Danis, who finally succumbed to the pressure when Freddy Meyer banged home a Tim Jackman rebound to knot it with 2:37 remaining. Josh Bailey picked up a secondary helper. Meyer's third really gave his team a lift. They continued to dictate, using an effective forecheck that led to two more goals in a second that saw them outshoot the Devs 10-7. First, Sim struck off the rush when he took a Richard Park pass and wristed one through traffic past Danis. After an unnecessary Ilya Kovalchuk slash, Streit made him pay when his left point shot off a faceoff win caromed off Mottau's skate and in. Frans Nielsen got the lone helper. 

Just like that, the Devils trailed by two. David Clarkson tried to provide a spark with a very active shift that featured a big hit. But the lull that started late in the first proved costly. 

"None," a frustrated Patrik Elias said of what went wrong. “We were ready to play. We played fine the first 15 or 17 minutes. Then we just had a couple of bad shifts in a row.”

They showed at least for the third, peppering Roloson with 21 shots but only solved him once thanks to Kovalchuk's fifth in red and black. The electrifying Russian took full advantage of a poor Isles' line change when he took a Dean McAmmond backhand saucer pass and blasted a one-timer from the right circle far side on Rollie, cutting the deficit to 3-2 with still 18:19 to play. The Islanders certainly gave them a great opportunity to turn it around, handing Lemaire's club a two-man advantage for nearly a minute. But the Devs' power play continued to be a sore spot. 

"We’ve got to work on it. Definitely,” Lemaire assessed. “We have to be better.”

Roloson also made some strong stops from in tight, including a pair on Elias. Eventually, another Devil PP proved pivotal but for the wrong reason. With Lemaire opting to go with five forwards down a goal, he got burned literally when Blake Comeau forced McAmmond into a turnover and then blew by Kovalchuk, creating a two-on-one which resulted in Bergenheim's shorty. On the play, his initial shot was stopped by Danis but the rebound popped out going off Bergy's stick and in before the moorings came off. That was the crusher.

“They are in the middle of the playoff race. They’re up there and they want to finish first,” Streit added. “It’s a big win for us.”

One which prevented the Devils from moving back into a first place tie with the Pens, who visit Tampa Bay later today. The two clubs meet one final time at The Rock Wednesday. The Devs' next face Boston tomorrow before getting the chance to sweep the season series against Sid The Kid and Geno.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dean McAmmond, NJD (2 assists, +1 in 13:58)
2nd Star-Sean Bergenheim, NYI (2nd SHG of season-7th career, +2 in 18:15)
1st Star-Dwayne Roloson, NYI (38 saves incl.20/21 in 3rd for 1st career win vs Devils)


Weight Done For Season: Islander captain Doug Weight's season is done. The crafty 39 year-old American playmaking pivot opted for season-ending left shoulder surgery for a torn labrum/rotator cuff which certainly slowed him down. In 36 games this season, he had a goal and 16 assists.

"It's not the type of hockey I wanted to play," the prideful first-year captain said. "I couldn't finish a check, I couldn't take a check, I couldn't handle the puck, I couldn't shoot the puck with velocity I was used to. I was spending 80 per cent of my shift positioning myself so I didn't blow my shoulder out."

The former Rangers' 1990 second round pick has had a superb 18-year career playing for half a dozen teams (NYR, Edm, Stl, Car, Ana, NYI). Among the highlights have been representing Team USA at the Olympics along with helping the Hurricanes win a Stanley Cup in 2005-06 after being acquired from the Blues. Last season, he went over 1,000 career points. In 1,220 career games, Weight's amassed 276 goals and 748 assists for a respectable 1,024. If it's the end, he certainly doesn't sound like it.

"I'm going to approach it with the aspirations of still playing hockey," he added. "I've still got the fire in my stomach when I hit the ice. My legs still feel strong, I feel strong on the puck. The rest will be written in the summer. I'll approach it to come back with 100 per cent aggression.

"I'm going to attack this like I'm 25 and have to get ready for camp. But if Thursday was my last game, I have no regrets."

Swiss outshoots Belarus to setup quarter against USA

It wasn't pretty but the Swiss still pulled through. They needed a 10-minute four-on-four and a shootout before sneaking past pesky Belarus 3-2 in the first qualifier at Hockey Canada Place this afternoon. Thomas Deruns and Romano Lemm helped Switzerland set up a quarter versus Team USA tomorrow at 3 on NBC.

Favorite to advance, the Swiss got scored on in the opening minute when Aleksei Kalyuzhny snuck a trickler off defenders past a surprised Jonas Hiller. But Julien Sprunger responded with a power play goal, knotting the contest. For the day, the higher seed notched both their goals via the man-advantage. It would be a Hnat Dominichelli rebound past a sprawled Andrei Mezin which steered the Swiss ahead during a second they largely controlled. Islander defenseman Mark Streit got an assist on the tally. However, Belarus earned a power play and quickly tied it in the late stages of the second thanks to Konstantin Zakharov backhanding home a loose puck into a vacant net with Hiller off to the right.

Sensing an upset, many in the crowd began to root for the underdog who eight years earlier strung a much bigger one over Sweden, Belarus played more confidently, using their skating to generate chances. But most were misdirections which sailed wide. Hiller sharpened up in a seesaw third making a pair of tough stops to keep it tied. One instance saw Konstantin Koltsov with a great chance to shoot from the slot 15 feet away but instead, his pass down low missed connection. Each goalie was strong during sudden death pushing it to the skill competition.

In it, both Deruns and Lemm deked before picking high glove on Mezin sandwiched around a Hiller stop for a commanding 2-zip lead. But Dmitri Meleshenko extended it with a nice forehand deke finish off the bar and in with the Anaheim goalie on all fours. The Belarussian bench was given even more hope when Mezin stopped Swiss' third shooter giving Hab Sergei Kostitsyn a chance to force extras. However, the third-year NHLer made one too many moves allowing a sliding Hiller to get a pad on his forehand deke in tight, sealing it for the Swiss.

Switzerland must play better tomorrow against USA, whose size, speed and strength will test the feisty European nation. However, the Americans can't take it lightly as they only beat them 3-1 in prelims and know just how much of a trap game this is. Keep an eye on Roman Wick and Hiller along with Streit, who all must have strong games for a chance at the upset.

There are three more qualifiers taking place tonight. Canada and Germany are underway with a whole nation holding its collective breath. Also on tap later are Czech and Latvia (10 PM) and Slovakia-Norway at midnight. All three can be seen on CNBC.

Nothing sweet about Candy Canes for Islanders

So much for turning it around in Raleigh. Instead, Scott Gordon's Islanders dropped a third straight against the suddenly resurgent Candy Canes by a count of 4-1. There was nothing sweet about this one as they managed to fall behind by two and never recovered.

“You give a team, no matter where they are in the standings, the type of chances we gave them, you’re not going to win games,” disappointed lone scorer Matt Moulson said after netting his 20th to break Cam Ward's shutout bid with 4:31 left. “They’re a team that’s hot. We knew that and we came out pretty sluggish.”

Coming off a home blowout loss at the hands of the Caps with a chance to push ahead of the idle Rangers into playoff position, instead the Islanders allowed sizzling new Carolina captain Eric Staal to keep it going when he netted his third in 24 hours versus New York teams. In their 5-1 blowout of the Rangers, he tallied twice. This time, the franchise center came out of the corner and steered home his own rebound converting on the power play at 9:19. Brandon Sutter and ex-Ranger Matt Cullen added assists.

It didn't take long for the Hurricanes to extend the lead when the aforementioned Cullen got to a loose puck and fired a quick wrister from the right circle through a maze past Rick DiPietro 2:53 later. A battle tested player who could be on the way out, Cullen's turned it up this month with points in six of his last seven including his 10th goal and a helper last night. He's up to a dozen points (2-10-12) in January. Dating back to Dec.26, almost half (2-14-16) his season total 34 points have come over that period. The 33 year-old vet is versatile and can help someone. Might the center starved Devils be interested?

After being outscored by two and outshot 12-9, the Isles mustered little in a second that featured a combined eight shots with just three from the visitors- making life easy for Ward. In fact, an acrobatic DiPietro save kept it competitive. His teammates finally turned it up in the third outshooting Carolina 15-5. However, they remained stymied when Andrew Alberts went off for hooking. With an opportunity to get right back in it, the Isles were victimized by fourth liner Stephane Yelle for a crushing shorthanded goal just 21 seconds following the penalty. Mark Streit got caught pinching, allowing Pat Dwyer to push the puck out to Yelle who then skated down the left wing before wisely using Islander captain Doug Weight as a screen from the left circle. His first goal in 28 games went between Weight's legs past DiPietro's right glove to the goalie's chagrin. Not a good goal to give up.

Down three, Moulson hit 20 when Frans Nielsen slipped a pass to him for a quick shot to finally beat Ward. A nice reward for a camp steal who's wound up as the club's top finisher three ahead of rookie John Tavares. His 33 points are tied with JT91 for second behind Kyle Okposo's 36. Where would they be without him? Unfortunately, that was as close as they got with Staal finding Jussi Jokinen for an empty netter with 45 ticks left, sealing it.

Hillen Out 6-8 Weeks With Broken Jaw: As has been known the past couple of days stemming from a scary moment when defenseman Jack Hillen took an Alexander Ovechkin shot right to the chin, he's out six to eight weeks with a broken jaw. It looked a lot worse with the puck appearing to strike his mouth bloodying him. Islanders team medics quickly got to the ice to treat him and help him off the ice as a stunned Ovechkin watched with his head down Tuesday.

Signed as a free agent a couple of years ago, the just turned 24 year-old from Minnesota has evolved into a solid player under Gordon. After getting into 40 games and posting a goal and five assists last year, he'd become a regular on the blueline contributing two goals and career highs in assists (14), points (16), penalty minutes (36), power play points (5) and games (49). Already minus Radek Martinek (done for season) and Brendan Witt (IR), it's just one more obstacle the Islanders will have to overcome. Yesterday's recall Dustin Kohn played 12 minutes finishing minus-one.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Matt Moulson, NYI (20th of season, 3 SOG, +1 in 19 shifts-13:46)
2nd Star-Eric Staal, Car (PPG/assist, 2 SOG, 7-7 draws, +1 in 19:15)
1st Star-Matt Cullen, Car (GW/assist, 5 SOG, 4-5 draws, +1 in 19:21)

DP, Islanders on roll

The Islanders gave their fans plenty to cheer about this afternoon in the annual Martin Luther King game, defeating the Devils 4-0 at a sold out Nassau Coliseum. With Hasan likely recapping it from the Devil perspective, we're just going to assess what's gone so right lately for Scott Gordon's hot club that's now won four straight. That includes impressive victories over the Red Wings (6-0), Sabres (3-2 in shootout) and now the Devils by a 4-zip KO helping Rick DiPietro to his first shutout of the season and more "D---P" chants.

Here are today's highlights that put the eighth seeded Isles at 52 points trailing archrival Rangers by one:

-Matt Moulson scored twice for his club-leading 18th and 19th. It was his first multi-goal effort since a Dec.3 hat trick at Atlanta (21 games). After hitting a wall in mid-December, the free agent steal has three goals in the last four and six points in seven contests this month. A great sign.

-Josh Bailey notched his 12th continuing to rip it up. Over the past 10 games, the improving sophomore has 13 points (5-8-13). Since Dec.21, the 20 year-old pivot has 15 of his 25 points (12-13-25) this season. Prior, he'd gone 10 games w/o a point. The 2008 ninth overall selection is finally demonstrating why Garth Snow picked him, giving the Islanders two scoring lines.

-With an assist on Mark Streit's first period power play goal, Kyle Okposo extended to a six-game point streak (4-2-6). Since a three-point performance in a Dec.26 road win at the Rangers, the 21 year-old emerging power forward is 5-5-10 over the last 11 games. Last year, the St. Paul native struggled mightily in the first half before finishing strong. Looks like the same thing's happening. Only this time, the stakes are higher with the Islanders fighting for a playoff berth.

-With a PPG, Streit has points in four straight including three goals and two helpers. Since 12/26, the Isles' No.1 defenseman is 3-7-10, plus-eight. He's heating up at the right time.

-Saturday's hero Trent Hunter followed up with two assists in the win. His first multi-point game since Dec.3. The grinding checking wing doesn't always show up on the score sheet but always gives an honest effort leading by example.


-Andy Sutton tallied an assist and went plus-three on the day, continuing to play his best hockey.

-With a primary helper on Streit's marker, John Tavares made it two consecutive games with a point and three of the last four. Prior, the 19 year-old wiz kid was blank in seven straight. It's easy to forget that JT91 is in Year One with tons of expectations. The centerpiece of the franchise is finally snapping out of it which could bode well.

-Also getting on the score sheet was Jack Hillen, who with an assist finished plus-three. That's three assists in the last four for the second-year undrafted defenseman, who's quietly contributed a goal and 12 helpers along with a plus-eight rating in 45 games this season.

-Shootout ace Frans Nielsen added a helper and finished plus-two. The 2002 third round gem has seven points (1-6-7) this month.

-Though he didn't get much work, how about DP. His first two home games in more than a year and victorious in both while permitting only two goals on 53 shots (.962 save percentage). With 20 saves, the 28 year-old former 2000 No.1 overall pick recorded his third shutout versus the Devils and 15th career. His first SHO since Feb.21, 2008 against the Lightning. Storybook.


All this added up to a great day off the Meadowbrook for the orange and navy blue. It won't get much easier as the Islanders (22-19-8, 52 Pts) pay a visit to Mellon Arena and the Penguins Tuesday night where they'll go for five in a row.

Les Habitants edge Devils to take over East lead

All season long, the Canadiens have been proving critics like myself wrong. That didn't change one iota last night where they used a Andrei Kostistyn power play tally with 5:43 left to get past the Devils 2-1 up in Montreal, taking over first in the Eastern Conference.

The difference was the lethal No.1 ranked Habs' power play which connected twice in six opportunities while the Devs took a collar for a second consecutive night to drop their third straight. After picking up points in nine straight, they're 0-2-1 in their last three and haven't been finding the back of the net with any regularity. Something which top netminder Marty Brodeur eluded to afterwards:

“They didn’t give us much, we barely had three or four really good scoring
chances on [Carey] Price. We’re just having problems scoring goals and creating
chances of late, and it was the same thing tonight."

It was also the second game in a row his team permitted two power play goals against. Something which can't become a common occurrence if the Devs are to come out on top down the stretch.

Rookie goalie Carey Price outdueled Brodeur in net finishing with 31 saves. The well spoken 35 year-old Montreal native turned aside 23 of 25 but just didn't get much support in dropping to 34-14-5 for his brilliant career against the hometown Les Habitants.

The Devs outshot the Habs 13-8 in the opening stanza but the contest remained scoreless until Montreal double threat Mark Streit got to a loose puck in front steering one home on the backhand past Brodeur for his 12th 6:11 into the second. Montreal captain Saku Koivu and leading scorer Alex Kovalev notched assists.

But New Jersey drew even 7:26 later thanks to resurgent sniper Brian Gionta, who got to a loose rebound in front and stuffed one into an open side for his 18th (5th in last 10). Defensemen Mike Mottau and Colin White added helpers.

Then it would be the goalies who stood tall to keep the contest knotted. First, a sprawling Price robbed Patrik Elias on a one-timer which was labeled. Then Brodeur kicked out the right pad to deny Kovalev's 35-foot right wing wrister late in the second. He also thwarted checking center Maxim Lapierre's pointblank rebound early in the final stanza. Another big glove save from in close kept the Habs off the board with less than eight minutes left.

However, the Canadiens would finally go back in front thanks to some nice passing down low. During a five-on-four man-advantage which Chris Higgins just kept on-side, Tomas Plekanec was setup in front but missed. A hustling Andrei Kostistyn got to the loose puck behind the net and beat Brodeur with a wraparound for the deciding tally. It was his 20th of the season.

The Devils did generate a couple of chances in the final five minutes but Price stood tall denying Jamie Langenbrunner's rebound try from in close. He also got a glove on a Karel Rachunek blast to preserve the win- pushing the no longer surprising Canadiens a point ahead of both NJ and Ottawa (5-4 winners over the Pens) for tops in the conference.

"It is a pleasant surprise for us and for a lot of people,” a pleased Koivu pointed out afterwards.

“There were some question marks for this team because of the young players
coming from the minors, but those guys have done an excellent job coming in here
and wanting a big role, not being happy just to be in the lineup.”

The loss was another opportunity lost by the Devils to increase their division lead with the Pens losing despite three more points from NHL scoring leader Evgeni Malkin.

With the Flyers going into Long Island and posting a 4-1 win thanks in large part to a crushing shorthanded goal by Jeff Carter, suddenly the Atlanta is extremely tight. Seven total points separates the first place Devs from fourth place Philly which makes today's early 12:30 matinee at the Rangers even larger. Especially with both teams making up their extra game.

Essentially, the winner will pick up a couple of points and get even closer to the idle Devs. Meanwhile, the second place Pens could pull ahead with a home win over the Thrashers.

Both the Rangers and Flyers are aiming for their fourth straight wins. So it should be quite a battle at the Garden in what's an NBC game.

As for the Islanders, they really hurt themselves by falling to the Flyers because a regulation win would've put them in a three-way tie with Philly and Buffalo for the eighth spot. Instead, they're four behind the suddenly resurgent Flyers and trail the Sabres by a couple of points which makes the upcoming home-and-home against the rival Rangers huge. It could possibly make or break their season.

There's a lot more puck today. So I should be around to update everything accordingly.

Enjoy the games along with what's a fun and unpredictable playoff race.

Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole

I was trying to come up with a title for the Habs' amazing five-goal comeback to win 6-5 in a shootout over the shell shocked Rangers before an energized home crowd. This was the best I could do.

I mean what can you really say. History was made up north as neither the Blueshirts nor the Habs had ever been part of something so crazy before. When MSG flashed the note that the Original Six club had never lost after leading by five, you just knew it wasn't a good sign. Likewise, Les Habitants had never ever comeback to win from five back in their rich history.

Normally, I'd be upset about the Rangers somehow failing to pickup what seemed to be a sure two points but I'm just not mad about it for some reason. There's more important things to not be happy about than some silly wacky game. That's really all it is in the grand scheme of things.

Let's credit the Canadiens for showing as much heart as I've ever seen in never giving up and actually believing they could still comeback and pull that out after three quick Ranger goals chased rookie Carey Price.

I've been on this team for a while and nothing I saw tonight changed my mind. Truth be told, that's the best club in the entire conference. They skate better than anyone. Have the deepest crop of forwards and a very active D which can make life a nightmare when for defenses pinning the opposition in with an aggressive forecheck.

Does anyone boast a better fourth line than these Habs? I haven't seen it. When you can send out the ever dangerous Michael Ryder (10 healthy scratches and still the best forward on this night with two goals sparking the comeback), two-way threat Mark Streit (goal, two helpers) and the gritty Maxim Lapierre, it's going to be a huge advantage. That trio along with the banging of energizer Steve Begin and underrated defender Mike Komisarek changed the game as did the fans.

Most teams fall behind by five and pack it in. Never have I seen such a vocal crowd influence their home players the way these Habs responded. Those Canadien supporters believed their team could still comeback and win even when Brendan Shanahan and Chris Drury made it 5-0 28 seconds apart early in the second.

What they got was the kind of inspired comeback which could make their team believe it can win the whole thing. Why the heck not? They have two solid goalies. Cristobal Huet was fantastic in relief of Price, who really was victimized by a lackluster start by his teammates.

The Rangers didn't exactly let up when they got to five. They easily could've had a couple of more if not for a couple of very timely stops by Huet, who steadied to make 20 saves giving his more desperate team a chance.

For as great as the Blueshirts played the first 25 minutes was as brutal and lost as they looked the rest of the night. Bruised and battered all over the ice by a more physical and faster team, they paid the price for not putting a pesky opponent away. Did I really just say that?!?!?!?!?!

The key sequence in this contest was two consecutive lightning Montreal strikes only nine seconds apart which sliced the deficit to 5-4 with still 13:08 left in regulation. Their leader Alex Kovalev connected one-timing a hard Andrei Markov pass just through Henrik Lundqvist over the goal line. If there was one King Henrik would've liked back, it was that one.

That the Habs could then basically skate in untouched with Ryder's seeing eye shot getting a piece of Streit's leg to ricochet past a stunned Lundqvist was a crusher. Tom Renney had already taken their timeout when Ryder tallied twice 4:24 apart in the second to make it a three-goal contest.

The Rangers just couldn't hang on and were done in by a mistimed Marek Malik hooking penalty which led to a scintillating Kovalev equalizer with 4:22 remaining. Somehow, off a broken play, he got a powerful one-timer off an Andrei Kostistyn setup in the left slot for his 29th sending the Montreal crowd into a frenzy.

It was a period earlier where these same cuckoo fans tossed debris on the ice. Some sort of ridiculous giveaway which was tossed cause they didn't like a legitimate high sticking call on Komisarek.

The OT was mostly Montreal as they pressed for the winner but Lundqvist denied all five shots to force a shootout. In it, the difference was a brilliant move two deke move and smooth forehand finish by Montreal captain Saku Koivu. When Jaromir Jagr's backhand deke wouldn't go, it was over.

The impressive comeback was complete and the Habs had somehow managed to stay even with the Sens (also shootout winners over Philly) for the conference's most points (75).

So, how do the Rangers explain this one? They can't. They just got beat by a better and deeper team. It's ashame too cause some of their best offense came in the same game with Jagr netting four assists and Brandon Dubinsky recording a Gordie Howe hat trick. He got pounded by Komisarek but took his licks and got a couple in. The kid has guts. He might want to learn how to throw'em and pick his spots though.

Maybe if this team had a real fourth line like the one we saw from Montreal, they might've not wilted.

I don't believe any other Eastern team could've comeback from five to win that. It was about as impressive as can be.

I've said this is the most talented team the Canadiens have had since that 1993 team which was the last Canadian team to hoist Lord Stanley. I think they have a legit shot to do the same. They've got it. Skating. Skill. Finesse. Grit. Physicality. Goaltending. And mental toughness which was on display tonight. They sent a pretty loud message to the rest of the conference.

This was one of those crazy games which was a ton of fun to watch. Even if the Rangers only wound up with a point, I'm not complaining.

They have only themselves to blame. Now they wait until Friday for a rematch at Buffalo. We'll see how they respond.


Just an update on the conference race. With the Pens coming back from two down to win 3-2 over the Panthers and the Devils winning the day before 5-1 over the Canes, here's how close it is:


1.Senators 75 Pts 35 Wins 22 GR
2.Devils 73 34 Wins 22 GR
3.Canes 65 30 Wins 19 GR
4.Habs 75 33 Wins 21 GR
5.Pens 73 34 Wins 22 GR
6.Rangers 68 30 Wins 20 GR
7.Bruins 66 30 Wins 23 GR
8.Flyers 66 30 Wins 22 GR
9.Sabres 64 28 Wins 23 GR
10.Isles 63 28 Wins 22 GR
11.Caps 62 28 Wins 22 GR
12.Thrashers 62 29 Wins 21 GR
13.Panthers 60 27 Wins 20 GR
14.Leafs 59 25 Wins 21 GR
15.Bolts 56 25 Wins 23 GR