N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Grounds Winnipeg Jets

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Islanders   2

JETS          0

FINAL

Ilya Sorokin Shuts Out Winnipeg Jets; Keeps Semyon Varlamov Season Debut On Ice

With Saturday's victory over the Winnipeg Jets, the Islanders improved to 5-2-2, highlighted by wins in four of their last five contests.  That's nine games down, and four more to go during this North American-wide road trip before the Islanders finally play their first-ever match at their new home arena just off the Cross Island Parkway.

The Jets are lagging in the standings, and the Isles treated them as such.  Ilya Sorokin faced 24 shots on goal and stopped them all.  He has started all nine games this season.  Despite opening the season with two consecutive heavy-handed losses, Sorokin has since turned things on a dime, and Saturday night pitched his third shutout in his last four starts.  Ilya's teammates also blocked another 19 Winnipeg shots attempts.

All this being said, Coach Trotz seems in no rush to insert Semyon Varlamov back into the starting role, although it's understood that day is coming sooner than later.

Anders Lee scored a goal in the first game of the season against the Hurricanes.  Then went the next six games without so much recording a point.  In fact, he is still without an assist through eight games.  But at 3:12 of the first period, Anders Lee gave the Isles a 1-0 lead on a feed from Josh Baily, who together outworked the Jets to force through the game's opening tally.  

After a scoreless second period, Brock Nelson notched his team-high seventh goal just 0:47 into the third period, assisted by Adam Pelech and Kyle Palmieri.  

As noted, Ilya Sorokin took care of the rest.

After a 1-2-1 start, the Islanders are elevating back up to standard.  They have a quick turnaround with a Sunday encounter at Minnesota against the Wild.  

The schedule is indeed as much an adversary as any forthcoming opponent.  But the good teams get through it.

N.Y. Islanders: Long Winding Road Trip Off To Bumpy Start

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders Set Sail in Stormy Seas

Having to open the season with 13 consecutive road games is a gargantuan task.  

No one denies that.  

But the first four games provide a curious little narrative nonetheless.

Ilya Sorokin started all four games.  He has so far faced 141 total shots and yielded 14 (.901%) goals.  In the opening game against Carolina, he allowed six goals and five in game two against Florida.  Afterwhich, Sorokin allowed just three regulation goals over the next two games and one goal in overtime against Columbus.  So, chalk that up to a bad start ...

... by Long Island's forwards!  All those goals are not wholly on Sorokin.  Oliver Wahlstrom leads the team with three goals after four games, which means something else isn't clicking.  The Isles needed to work too hard to defeat Chicago, thanks to a pair of Wahlstrom goals.

Although scratched against the Blackhawks, Anders Lee is back after being limited to just 27 games last season.  Kyle Palmieri and Zach Parise return for a full season, and entering his 20th NHL season, Zdeno Chara dons an Islander jersey.  

Otherwise, a turnaround is expected sooner than later.

On Saturday, the Islanders arrive in Arizona to face off against the 0-3-1 Coyotes, who have scored just eight goals through four games.  The Islanders have netted ten over the same span.  

So, therein lies their challenge: winning convincingly over a lesser opponent.

New York Islanders Take Game Two In Overtime

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

Islanders and Bruins tied; 1-1

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

*overtime

Goalie Decision Still Altering Barry Trotz's Sleep Patterns

Both teams laid a lot of hits.  In fact, the Isles in game one inflicted seven more than Boston.  Physicality in this series is expected.  But if you remember, Long Island actually had to ease back on the physicality against Pittsburgh to better sync up their game.

Game one against Boston, you look at the disparity in shots on goal, then allowing two power-play goals, then just falling apart in the third period, and no one is really left wondering what happened.  

Boston centermen fired off 19 shots on goal, and three of their centermen, in particular, accounted for six assists, while three centermen each scored a goal.  Playing without Anders Lee, the Isles centermen joined together for 18 shots on goal.  Collectively they accounted for six points, and the Isles also got three goals from their centers.  That's fairly representative.

No skater for either team would post a minus-two for the game.

Tuuka Rask faced just 22 shots, allowing one even-strength goal and one on the power play.  

Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin faces 39 shots.  He allows two power-play goals which both come very late in the period.  In the first period, David Pastrnak erases a one-goal lead with just 0:24 seconds left.  Then with the Isles trailing by two in the third, he yields a goal with 1:25 left in regulation.  He gives up three other goals at even strength.

And so, Coach Trotz spends another night with much to ponder.

For game two, Sorokin was out, and Semyon Varlamov was back in.  He faced 42 shots and stopped all but three, although it did little to avert overtime.  

Boston gets on the board at 2:38 of the first period.  But Varlamov keeps them out of the net for the rest of the first and all of the second.  Meanwhile, Long Island scores three unanswered second-period goals.  Two come on a slowly improving power play, and Kyle Palmieri tallies his fourth of the playoffs.

In a repeat of game one, the third period once again proves problematic.  Boston scores twice, sending this game into overtime.  That's when Tuuka Rask commits the mistake of a lifetime, turning over the puck, essentially handing it to Casey Cizikas, who ends the game unassisted.

The Islanders owned a slim advantage in face-offs, they increased their shots over game one, and the power play took yet another little step forward.  Physicality among both teams remains high.

Islanders Clinch Playoff Berth at Rangers Expense

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

ISLANDERS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH

Islanders defeat Rangers; 6-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 3; NYR 2*

VI - NYI 6; NYR 1

VII - NYI 4; NYR 0

VIII - NYI 3; NYR 0

*overtime

Look What The Islanders Did To The Rangers, Again!

In what was possibly the final regular-season game ever to be played between the Islanders and Rangers at the Uniondale barn, Long Island blanks the city folk for a second consecutive game and the fourth time in their season series.  After splitting the first four games, the Isles take the final four.

Don't look now, but the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the Capitals by two points.  The Islanders clinch a playoff spot with 67 points. 

Insofar as the Rangers are concerned, I have no interest in Saturday's score and outcome.  However, the game itself and the fact that Long Island shut out the Rangers a fourth time in eight games partly serve my overall point.

Allow me to pick up where I left off ...

We know about Mika Zibanejad's terrible start to the season.  In January, he failed to score in six of eight games and similarly failed to score in eight of eleven games in February.  Mika totaled just six points over his first 19 games of the season.  But we also know he was returning from a pre-season bout with COVID.  

Mika then scored in nine of 16 games in March for 21 points, and in April, he scored in 12 of 15 games for 19 points.  That gives him 40 points in his last 31 games entering May.  His overall season stats now look more representative: 51 games, 20 goals, 26 assists, 46 points.

And therein lies the rub ...

In 16 games against the Devils and Flyers, Mika Zibanejad has grossed ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points. 

Through 35 games so far against the Islanders, Bruins, Capitals, Sabres, and Penguins, Mika has ten goals and nine assists for 19 points.  

Closer to the point, Mika scored just three points in eight games this season versus the Islanders; no points on Thursday, no points on Saturday.  

Just for the sake of being an equine posterior about it ... before going down with a season-ending injury, Islanders center Anders Lee scored 12 goals with seven assists for 19 points in 27 games, eight fewer games than Zibanejad.

The Rivalry: Islanders and Rangers Head Down the Stretch

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

THE RIVALRY

Islanders lead Rangers; 4-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 3; NYR 2

VI - NYI 6; NYR 1

VII & VIII

New York Islanders

vs.

New York Rangers

FROM
Eighth Avenue Ice Hut

Trotz Putting Together a Jigsaw Puzzle While Quinn Is Just Making a Mess

Washington takes three straight from the Islanders and wins the season series six games against two.  Three of the last four confrontations have been 1-0 affairs, with a blowout sandwiched in between.  Long Island slides down to third place in the East, four points behind the Penguins, and five points behind the first-place Capitals with seven games remaining in their regular season.

On Tuesday, the Islanders commit one of the cardinal sins of hockey and pay a high price.  Never surrender a goal in the first two minutes or last two minutes of a period.  The Islanders did just that.  Daniel Sprong scores his tenth of the season within 1:29 minutes of the opening faceoff, and the Caps make it stand.

The Long Islanders are 12-9-1 since captain Anders Lee last played on Mar. 11 against the Devils.  Over that stretch, they still managed to outscore their opponents by a 53-47 margin.  But, truth be told, the Isles are just 4-5-1 since acquiring Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri, and as noted, losers of three straight.  In another indictment, the Isles have been outscored 24-18 since the duo's arrival.  That hints at a correlation.  Or, said another way, Coach Trotz is struggling to reconstruct his forward lines.

Whereas Islanders fans can be confident their head coach will ultimately implement a viable plan in time for the playoffs, Rangers fans, on the other hand, remain confounded by Coach Quinn's allergy-inspiring line decisions.  The Blueshirts remain four points behind the fourth-place Bruins.  However, Boston has two games in hand.

The Rangers are coming off a split against the Flyers and two consecutive wins against the Sabres.  Long Island comes to the city for the front end of a home-and-home.  After splitting the first four games of the season series, the Islanders have since won two straight over the Rangers for a 4-2 series edge.

Last Sunday against Buffalo, Mike Zibanejad scored his third hat trick of the season.

About that ...

We know about his terrible start to the season.  He failed to score in six of eight games in January and similarly failed to score in eight of eleven games in February.  Mika totaled just six points over his first 19 games of the season.  But we also know he was recovering from a pre-season bout with COVID.  He then scored in nine of 16 games in March for 21 points, and in April, to date, Mika has scored in twelve of 15 games for 19 points.  That gives him 40 points in his last 31 games.  His overall season stats now look more representative: 50 games, 20 goals, 26 assists, 46 points.

Now for the truth ...

In 16 games against the Devils and Flyers, Mika Zibanejad has ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points.  Through 34 games so far against the Islanders, Bruins, Capitals, Sabres, and Penguins, Mika has ten goals and nine assists for 19 points.

That's what's really going on.

N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Saves The Day

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL/SO

Ilya Sorokin Earns the Save in Closing Out His Ninth Win of the Season

After Long Island stormed the Capitals on Thursday, neighboring New Jersey failed to seize the moment against Washington losing in overtime on Friday, thus handing the Caps a two-point edge over the Isles in the East Divison standings.

On Saturday, the Isles and Flyers skated through a scoreless first session.  While on a second-period power-play Anthony Beauvillier opened the scoring at 12:01 on feeds from Jordan Eberle and Matt Martin.  Then, roughly three and a half minutes later, Beauvillier scored his second of the period (and his eighth of the season) on an assist from Mathew Barzal. 

Philly then turned the tables.  At 6:38 of the third, Claude Giroux scored unassisted, cutting Long Island's lead to one.  Then just under four minutes later, Giroux scores his second of the period (and his eleventh of the season), tying the game at two.  And that's the way it remains through the rest of regulation time.

The Islanders closed the final 0:15 second of overtime on a fruitless power play, but not before Philly goalie Carter Hart had already fulfilled the role of a thief.

In the shootout, Ilya Sorokin would outlast Carter Hart.  After three scoreless rounds, Mathew Barzal finally beat Carter for the potential winner.  Sorokin then stopped Philly's final attempt to secure the victory.  Ilya Sorokin faced 32 shots in all, making seven special team saves and 23 at even strength.  

Long Island is now 7-4 since losing Anders Lee for the season from an injury sustained on March 11 against the Devils.  That is not to suggest the Isles do not miss their Captain.  They mustered just 24 shots on goal against Philly, while their centermen accounted for only six shots and one assist.

Trotz's Troop nonetheless gain two points and reclaim their half-share of first place in the East.

Long Islanders Continue Bedeviling New Jersey Hockey Club

From the desks: LONG ISLAND NOMADS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

Islanders lead Devils; 5-1

I - NYI 4; NJD 1

II - NJD 2; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NJD 1

IV - NYI 5; NJD 3

V - NYI 3; NJD 2

VI - NYI 3; NJD 2*

*shootout

SUNDAY RECAP

Islanders Gain The High Ground

The Long Islanders defeated Newark for the fifth time this season and thereby extended their consecutive winning streak to nine games.  They also increased their division lead by four points over the Capitals and finished the night with the most points in all of hockey.

Devils Get Lost In The Details

Meanwhile, the Devils continue suffering the agony of defeat after defeat.  Sunday's game marked their fourth straight loss.  It's the ninth loss in their last ten games and the twelfth loss in sixteen games since returning from quarantine.

🏒

Each team was minus their respective on-ice captains, Anders Lee for the Islanders, and Nico Hischier for the Devils.  So, there's that ...

After Kieffer Bellows opened the scoring on feeds from Sabastian Aho and Jordan Eberle just 4:18 into the first, the Devils catch a big break on Andy Greene's delay of game penalty.  Janne Kuokkanen makes the Islanders pay with a power-play goal at the 5:12 mark.  New Jersey then takes their own turn committing a big mistake - it won't be the last one - when Brock Nelson scores on feeds from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey with just two seconds left in the first period, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead.  New Jersey tied the game at 16:04 of the third when Yegor Sharangovich converted feeds from Dmitry Kulikov and P.K. Subban.

This brings us to big mistake number two.  Subban appeared to score the game-winning goal in overtime.  But the Islanders challenged an off-side violation and were proven correct.  The devilish perpetrator was positioned in place on the far board but on the wrong side of the line, a clearly avoidable mental mistake and costly one.

Sure enough, the Islanders go on to win in a shootout at Newark.  But it's just hockey.  There's nothing more to see here.  All is well.  You can go back to your home now.

Heading In Opposite Directions, Islanders and Devils Speed Past Each Other In The Night

From the desks: THE BRICK CITY STYX  &  LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders lead Devils; 3-1

I - NYI 4; NJD 1

II - NJD 2; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NJD 1

THURSDAY

(1-3) Devils    3

(3-1) Islanders 5

FINAL

Long Island Is On Fire While Newark Remains Frozen In Ice

Another day, another twenty-minute performance by the New Jersey Devils.  In a near mirror image of their contest against Washington, in which they trailed the Capitals 4-1 after two periods, the Devils fell behind the Islanders 4-0 after two periods.  The Devils scored three times in the third period against the Caps but ultimately lost that game in overtime.  Thursday against the Isles, Newark again rallied for three goals in the third, but it clearly wasn't enough. 

Newark successfully killed off five penalties, which is to say they were completely overrun at even-strength.  They generated just 12 shots on goal through the first two periods and 22 shots overall versus 33 for Long Island.  Meanwhile, the Devils power-play hasn't scored since Feb. 27, against the Capitals.

After two more consecutive losses, the Devils have now lost ten of their last 14 games since returning from quarantine.  Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood appears in lockstep.  Back in January, he posted a .947 SV% through his first three games.  He then registered a decreased .904 SV% over seven games in February.  So far in March, Blackwood owns a .815 SV% through three games.  Through 13 games, he presently sports a .900 SV% and a troublesome 3.13 GAA.

This may be an unpopular take, but the Devils should seriously consider trading Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban.  After all, they are a rebuilding team.  Despite a minus-18 point differential and a division-low 58-goals for, the Devils nevertheless appear settled at the center.  There are other good young talents here.  But the Devils have clear deficiencies on the blue line.  Therefore, trade remaining assets and continue forging ahead with a full rebuild.

Lest we forget, the New York Islanders are in first place for a reason.  They own a plus-twenty point differential (28 points better than Newark), and with 38 points in 27 games, the Isles continue leading the division by two points over the relentless Washington Capitals.

Congratulations are in order.  Thursday's game marks Barry Trotz's 100th victory as coach of the Isles.

For the first time this season, the home team also played in front of a limited number of Long Island fans.  Those in attendance got to watch their Islanders win its seventh straight game and ninth win in their last ten.  The bad news is they also watched their Captain Anders Lee exit the ice due to an injury.  He is expected to miss some time.  He clearly appeared in pain, but the severity of the (undisclosed) injury is still unclear.  Anders Lee leads the team with both 80 shots on net and twelve goals in 27 games.  There's no denying he is among the league's toughest and most effective goal area loiterers.  If there's a loose puck, he finds it and converts.  

Getting the call, Ilya Sorokin saw little action through the game's first forty minutes.  However, the Isles eased off the throttle.  In turn, the Devils generated ten third-period shots on goal and found net three times.  In his eighth start, Sorokin nevertheless stopped 19 of 22 shots en route to his fifth straight win of the season.

N.Y. Islanders: Look Who's Number One

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Speed, Strength, and a Slick Stick

SATURDAY

Sabres    2

Islanders 5

FINAL

With the Isles victory over the dull-edged Sabres on Saturday combined with Washington's loss against the Bruins at Boston on Friday, Long Island takes over first place of the East Division by a full two points.

As we know, Buffalo, with an NHL low 17 points, has more problems than a math book.  This game should have been and indeed turned into easy pickings.  

Literally the center of much trade speculation, Jack Eichel assisted on Jacob Bryson's abrupt goal just 0:33 seconds into the game.  But the Islanders put a quick damper on any further Buffalo aspirations they may have harbored.  The Islanders kept them off the board throughout the rest of the period and all of the second period as well.

In the meantime, Long Island erupted with four goals in the second period.  Mathew Barzal kicked things off with one of the more ridiculously amazing goals you'll see this season.  Brock Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck then put the Islanders ahead by two.  At the 15:29 mark of the second, Scott Mayfield made it a three-goal lead.

Buffalo once again scored inside the opening minute of the third period, when Sam Reinhart found net just 0:52 seconds in.  But Anders Lee would quickly cancel that out at 2:15 with his team-leading eleventh goal of the season.  

The Isles are now winners of four in a row and six of their last seven.  They've allowed the second least goal within the division, just one more than the Boston Bruins, and lead the East Division with a plus-14 point differential.

Hockey Night in Metropolis: Rangers and Islanders Up; Sabres and Devils Down

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHER WITH THE GREATS

TUESDAY

Buffalo   2

Manhattan 3

FINAL

Eight Avenue - Like I've been saying, face-offs mean possession; possession means shots on goal.  The Blueshirts lost the face-off battle 26-18 and were behind in shots on goal 24-29 to Buffalo.  Just so happens that Kevin Rooney was 0/6 on face-offs.  However, the Rangers get away with it because they're playing the beleaguered Sabres.  Otherwise, the Rangers have two players getting into a groove at the same time.  Chris Kreider scores his fifth goal in the last four games bringing him to ten goals in 20 games, and Alexis Lafreniere scores his third goal of the season for his third point in his last three games.  Perhaps still motivated (pissed off) when he got bumped off the first line, Pavel Buchnevich led the team with four shots and notched his sixth goal with an assist for two points, giving him seven points in his last seven games.

Out of 20 regular-season games, Igor Shesterkin has starter twelve and appeared in 13 games.  So we're beginning to get a clearer picture in which direction Coach Quinn (or management, or both) is leaning.  He stopped 22/24 shots against Buffalo and now owns a .932 Sv% and a 2.52 GAA.

You might say Buffalo lost this game right out of the gate and simply failed to make up ground.  Buchnevich scored just 0:28 seconds into the game, assisted by Adam Fox and point-starved Mika Zibanejad.  But the Rangers were guilty of the "two-minute sin" as well when Sam Reinhart scored a mere 27-seconds later.  Alexis Lafreniere then set Buffalo back at the 2:36 mark of the first period.  Chris Kreider put the Rangers ahead 3-1 at the 9:32 mark of the second.  Tobias Rieder cut the deficit to one at the 16:21 mark, but the Sabres would creep no closer.  The teams skated through a scoreless third period en route to a 3-2 final.

Filip Chytil is back!  Thank goodness.

For the Rangers, their fourth win in their last six, and for the Sabres, their fourth loss in a row and fifth in the last six.

🏒

From the desks: THE BRICK CITY STYX & LONG ISLAND NOMADS

TUESDAY

Uniondale 2

Newark    1

FINAL

Across the Hudson - A close game considering the Devils - much like the Rangers - are young and upcoming, rebuilding, with a head coach starting to rub people the wrong way.  Whereas the Islanders are a band of tough established veterans in winnow mode.  What do both teams have in common?  They have vastly superior centermen than the New York Rangers.

I digress ...

The Islanders did what they do, grind, confound, and outlast you.  After two scoreless periods, the Isles finally began wearing on the Devils.  Have stick will find - team assists leader Nick Leddy fed Oliver Wahlstrom at the 1:10 mark of the third period to open the scoring; Jean Gabriel-Pageau had the secondary assist.  Then at 7:51, the Isles strike again.  Anders Lee converts on feeds from Andy Greene and Mathew Barzal.

Miles Woods ruined the shutout with 0:14 left in regulation.  Wood had a team-high five shots on goal.  The Buffalo, New York, native now has seven goals and eleven points through 18 games.  Making just his second start for Newark, goalie Aaron Dell faced just 20 shots, stopping all but two.  Meanwhile, the Devils mounted 29 shots on goal against Semyon Varlamov, who stopped all but one.  He made seven saves on the penalty kill.  Thus the Devils wound up 0/4 on the power play.  But you can't kill Jersey for lack of ... anything, really.  The effort and opportunities were there.

🏒

And now, for the Centermen of Attention:

• BUF: ten SOG; two goals; one assist; three points.
• NYR: five SOG; no goals; one assist; one point.
• NJD: five SOG; no goals; one assist; one point.
• NYI: eight SOG; one goal; two assists; three points.

Hockey Night in New York State: Rangers Centermen Do Not Stack Up Against Next Door Neighbors

From the desk: HOCKEY NIGHT IN NEW YORK STATE

TUESDAY

Devils      5

Rangers   3

FINAL

Look what the Devils did to the Rangers ... again!  

On Jan.19, the Devils went into MSG and defeated the Rangers, 4 to 3.  After five games and upwards of seventeen players getting scrubbed due to COVID, Newark returns to the ice at MSG on Tuesday, where they again defeated the Rangers, this time by a 5-3 final margin of victory.  It's like they never left the ice.

Nico Hischier is still out, and Jack Hughes was rather unproductive with no shots on goal through 21 shifts and 18:59 minutes of ice time.  The rest is just bad news for Rangers fans.  Four other Devils centermen accounted for ten of Newark's 36 shots on net, with three assists and two goals.  Novice center Janne Kuokkanen assisted on three goals.  Playing in his tenth game, center Pavel Zacha scored his third goal and notched his fifth point.  

By comparison, Mika Zibanejad has now played 14 games and is stuck at three points despite skating the team's most shifts and minutes.  Kevin Rooney played the least minutes (13:24) of the five Rangers centermen.  The point being, together, the futile five accounted for eleven shots on goal, one goal by Colin Blackwell, and one assist from Brett Howden.

• NET RESULT: Five points by Devils centermen; two points by Rangers centermen.

TUESDAY

Islanders   3

Sabres        0

FINAL

Don't look now, but it appears the Islanders are straightening themselves out.  On back-to-back nights, the Long Islanders take two straight from the Sabres at Buffalo.  After losing five straight, they are now winners of five of their last six games.

But this is still more about the Rangers than the Islanders - although I invite Isles fans to revel in our misery.  That said, Long Island centermen accounted for ten shots on net, with three goals and three assists.  Josh Bailey had two assists, Anders Lee scored two goals, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau had one goal and one assist.

If you go back, Tuesday was a near mirror image of Monday's game.  Islanders centermen accounted for 13 shots on net, with three goals and three assists.  That means in two games at Buffalo, Isles centermen accounted for 23 shots, six goals, and six assists.

• All Rangers Centers: 12 goals; 10 assists; 22 points.
• Mathew Barzal & Jean-Gabriel Pageau: 12 goals; 13 assists; 25 points.

Rangers vs. Islanders: Local Rivals Reconvene Hostilities

From the desks: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS & NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

LONG ISLAND WAS HERE

OPENING NIGHT

(1-0) Islanders   4

(0-1) Rangers     0

FINAL

Sure, allowing an early power-play goal in the first game of the season against your local rival can be somewhat deflating.  But two goals within 1:19 of each other, inside the first four minutes of the game?

And so, the 2020-2021 season begins ...

Igor Shesterkin's night only got worse.  Mathew Barzal scored the Islanders' third goal of the first period.  While on the power play in the second period, Anders Lee scored his second goal of the game, giving Long Island a comfortable 4-0 lead.  From then on, it was merely a matter of keeping the young Rangers in their playpen.  Igor Shesterkin faced 33 shots and made 29 saves, allowing two power-play goals and two at even strength.  At the other end of the ice, Semyon Varlamov faced just 24 shots by the Rangers, stopping them all for the shutout.  The Rangers' shot total is a direct result of affording the Islanders eight power-play opportunities.  The Islanders also dominated face-offs by a 30-21 margin.  Mika Zibanejad, who battled COVID, led the Rangers in shifts and with five shots on goal.  No other Ranger exceeded two shots on goal.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

(1-1) Islanders   0

(1-1) Rangers     5

FINAL

RUGRATS BREAK OUT OF PLAYPEN; ROLL THE ISLES

Then with a flip of a switch, the Rangers roll the Islanders in likewise fashion on Saturday.  This time, the Isles afford the Rangers seven PP opportunities, who convert once in the third period.  Conversely, the Rangers limit the Islanders to four opportunities.  The Islanders still won face-offs 31-25, but unlike Thursday, the Rangers could play even strength hockey and put more shots on goal.  Pavel Buchnevich sent an early message with an opening goal at the 2:12 mark of the first.  Artemi Panarin made it a 2-0 game midway through the period.  Buchnevich scored his second goal in the second period, and youngster Kaapo Kakko scored his first.  Panarin capped off the Rangers scoring in the third also with his second goal of the game.  The play in goal was similarly like night and day.  Alexandar Georgiev makes a start.  He faces 23 shots and stops them all for the shutout.  But unlike Thursday, the Rangers played far more competently in front of Georgiev than they did for Igor Shesterkin.  The Islanders also gave Semyon Varlamov the night off, electing to give 25-year old Ilya Sorokin the start.

🏒

N.Y. Islanders: Semyon Varlamov Saves Long Island From Elimination

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 3-2

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 2; TBL 1*

*double-overtime

Semyon Varlamov Short Circuits Bolts Through Double Overtime

The pressure was squarely on Semyon Varlamov to steal a game.  It took 92:30 minutes, but like a thief in the night he does just that.  He faces 37 shots and stops all but one.  Once Tampa does score, Varlamov pitches a shutout over the ensuing sixty-seven minutes of play.  It's the first time in five games and only the third time since entering the bubble that Tampa has been held to one goal or less. 

It's a good thing too, as the Islanders are held to just 24 shots on goal through four and a half periods of hockey. 

Through two periods shots on goal were 15-12 in favor of the Bolts.  They out-shoot the Islanders 9-5 in the third, then trade four shots on goal during the first overtime.  But the Islanders were out-shot again by an 8-4 margin in the second overtime making Semyon Varlamov the brightest star of the game. 

The onus is now on the skaters in front of him to get the Islanders through to game seven.  After going just 1/14 on the power play through the first four games, Long Island finally gets a timely goal at 15:41 of the first period by Ryan Pulock giving the Isles a 1-0 lead.  But four minutes into the second period the Islanders get caught in a change; Victor Hedman collects a rebound and blasts it past Varlamov tying the game at one.

Long Island kills three power lays.  None more important than a four-minute minor called against Anthony Beaullivier for high sticking at 18:37 of the third period that spills into overtime.

Midway through the second overtime Kevin Shattenkirk whiffs on a shot attempt.  The puck is poked up ice by Anders Lee who catches up with it along the left side.  Joining him on the right is Jordan Eberle.  Lee feeds a beautiful slider to Eberle who converts on a one-timer that beats Andrei Vasilevskiy glove side for the win.

The Islanders are now 2/17 on the power play.  Tampa is 4/16, however, three goals come in game one.  Otherwise, the Bolts since game two are 1/10 on the power play.  Goals scored since game two are presently 10-9 in favor of the Lightning.

Through five games both teams get "The Point" - the Lightning are 3-0 when center Brayden Point is on the ice; the Islanders are 2-0 when Brayden Point is not on the ice.  On that note, Johnny Boychuck was back on the ice for the first time since sustaining an injury against Florida.

N.Y. Islanders: Opponents Yet to Penetrate Isles Defenses

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles lead Flyers; 2-1

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

III - NYI 3; PHI 1

*overtime

Games Three and Five I believe are the most pivotal in any playoff series.  There will be a fifth game, that is certain.  For now the Islanders take care of business by securing game three to reestablish a 2-1 series lead against the Philadelphia Vigneault Flyers. 

Since entering the bubble the Islanders have limited Florida, Washington and now Philadelphia within the constraints set forth by Coach Trotz' system (game two's OT loss is no different).

Through twelve games and 36 periods of regulation hockey the Islanders technically are still yet to allow thirty shots on net.  They're also doing an increasingly better job of staying out of the box and in turn playing a great majority of their games at even strength (and their chief strength).

Even their power play is improving.  They've so far traded eight special team goals with their competition.  However, whereas their PP went 4/16 against against Florida and a lowly 2/22 against Washington, they are so far 2/6 against Philly.  Conversely the Islanders have allowed Florida fourteen PP opportunities and Washington sixteen opportunities.  So far they've limited the Flyers to zero tallies in only four opportunities.

Semyom Varlamov faces 27 shots in game three letting just one get by.  Flyers winger Tyler Pitlick opens the scoring at 14:18 of the first period.  The goal marks only the twelfth even strength goal yielded by the Islanders since entering the bubble.  Overall, they are allowing an average of 1.6 goals per game with Varlamov stopping .932% (.914 regular season) of all shots on net.

After Pitlick's goal the Flyers are incapable of withstanding Long Island's ensuing surge.  Matt Martin scores his third goal of the playoffs at 7:12 of the second session.  Then with the second session winding down Philadelphia commits one of the cardinal sins in hockey: allowing a goal in the first or last two minutes of a period - at 19:54 Leo Komarov does just that.  He becomes the 13th different Islanders skater to score a goal though twelve playoff games.  At 3:41 of the third period, Anders Lee puts the game out of reach when he scores on a power play for his sixth tally of the post-season.  The Islanders are outscoring opponents by an overall 40-20 margin - exactly double.  At even strength the Isles hold a dominant 32-12 advantage.

Best news for Islanders fans is that both Martin's and Komarov's goals come off defensive end take-aways.  Varlamov also withstands Philly's 6 on 4 power play in the closing minutes of the game.

Three opponents, no answers.

Game Four awaits ...

New York Islanders Momentum Put on Hold After Game Two Loss

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Series Tied; 1-1

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

*overtime

Nothing More to See; Don't Worry; All is Well; Go Back to Your Homes and Thank You For Your Concern

Once you play beyond regulation, well, the first little slip up and it's game over.  Even the sun shines on a dog's posterior once a day.  To Philadelphia's credit the Flyers do create a bunch of traffic in front of Semyon Varlamov.  And sure enough, that jam up leads to the game winning goal.  I'm just not convinced Philadelphia actually wins on a long range deflection, or if the slow starting Islanders let one slip away.  In either scenario the Flyers last night should've slept with troubled minds after blowing a three goal lead.

The undeterred Islanders stay true to themselves and just grind their way through the second and third periods like a glacier carving its way through the Toronto bubble.  It takes overtime, but the Isles allow thirty-plus shots on goal for the first time since the NHL's restart.  So, technically they've yet to yield thirty SOG in regulation.  The Isles still out-shoot Philly by a 34-31 margin and continue doing what's been making them so successful: they're 2 for 2 on the PK and go 1 for 3 on the power play.  They also administer more hits and win more face-offs.  More across the board contributions come from Anders Lee, Anthony Beaullivier and the game tying goal with just over two minutes left in regulation from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  That's been Islanders hockey.  After a disastrous first period they regroup and impose their brand of play until Philippe Myers flips the scrip at the 2:41 mark of overtime.

Sean Couturier leads the Flyers with four shots on goal, while four other skaters manage three each.  The Islanders on the other hand are led by Anders Lee's eight shots on goal and Anthony Beauvillier's six shots on net.  Three other Islanders put three shots on net as well.  Therefore have faith in Coach Trotz' four line blitz.  Game two was nothing more than the Isles showing up late for work - it happens.

If any team is under stress through two games, it's Philadelphia.  The Flyers are asking for extended minutes from their blue liners.  Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim clock over twenty minutes in game two, and in game one they play three defensemen in excess of twenty minutes.  The more minutes they stay on the ice the easier it gets to make them turn their heads and get their bodies skating in the wrong direction.  In game two not one Isles defenseman surpasses twenty minutes even as they continue forward minus Johnny Boychuck.

This can either be a turning point in the series for Philly (if you let your imagination run wild), or just a bump in the road for the Islanders.  I suspect the latter, but of course that remains to be seen.

N.Y. Islanders: Isles Whitewash Feeble Flyers

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Islanders lead Flyers;1-0

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

Islanders waste little time, lead Flyers 1-0

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 24, 2020

2-0 #BeatVigneault

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 25, 2020

3-0. This team is furious at even strength. #NYI Surprised Alain Vigneault lasted in Philly this long. #Soft #LGR #BeatVigneault

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 25, 2020

FOUR ... ZIP

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 25, 2020

Semyon Varlamov has now stopped his last fifty shots on goal, and throws his second straight shutout.  Meanwhile, the Islanders continue smothering the competition.  They have yet to allow thirty shots on goal by any team (FLA, WAS, PHI) since entering the bubble.  The Isles also continue getting scoring across the board.  Thirteen different Islanders have now scored at least one goal.  On Monday they get four unanswered goals from Andy Greene in the first, and three goals in the third by Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anders Lee and Devon Toews (empty net).  In fact, they've outscored their opponents 35-15 through ten games to date.  They didn't compromise themselves by loitering in the box.  So far at even strength they've proven unstoppable.  This is a team which put together a ten game win streak back in October.  However, they were just 2-11 in their last thirteen games leading up to the pandemic shut-down.  They are now 8-2 over their last ten while scoring more than twice as often as their competition.

N.Y. Islanders Pop Washington's Bubble in Five

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Islanders def. Capitals; 4-1

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

II - NYI 5; WAS 2

III - NYI 2; WAS 1*

IV - WAS 3; NYI 2

V - NYI 4; WAS 0

*overtime

Islanders Rout Washington Capitals

Islanders not only spent less time in the penalty box but also score on a power play!

Who are these guys?

Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beaullivier sit the Islanders only four minutes in the penalty box (too many men on the ice and a holding whistle on Beaullivier).  Otherwise, that's it.  The Isles get to play with five skaters on the ice for upwards of fifty-five minutes.  Net result is a commanding 4-0 victory and five game wipeout of the Washington Capitals.

The Islanders not only outscore their opponent, they double them by a lopsided 17-8 margin, with fifteen goals coming at even strength.  Ten different Islanders score.  Jordan Eberle, Matt Martin, Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each score a goal.  Josh Bailey, Nick Leddy and Mathew Barzal each score two goals, and Anders Lee and Anthony Beaullivier tally three goals each.  Meanwhile Washington's scoring is limited to three players.  Their eight series goals come from T.J. Oshie (2); Evgeny Kuznetsov (2); and Alex Ovechkin (4).  New York's defense limits the Capitals to an average of 24.8 shot per game.  In game four they allow a series high 29 shots, but in game five allow a series low 21 shots by Washington.

Washington averages just 1.6 goals per game.  Semyon Varlamov pitches a shutout in game five, making 21 saves, one on the PK and another while short-handed.  Varlamov faces 121 total shots in five-plus games, making 113 saves.  He permits four even strength goals, and four PP goals.

• Regular season: 2.62 GAA and .914 SV%
• Nine Games in the Bubble: 7-2-0, 1.67 GAA, .934 SV%

Islanders still have work to do.  They were just 2/21 (.095%) on the power play.

N.Y. Islanders: Four Chances to Win One

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles Lead Caps; 3-0

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

II - NYI 5; WAS 2

III - NYI 2; WAS 1*

*overtime

DON'T BREAK OUT THE BROOMS YET

Don't look now, but that glacier grinding through the bubble has an Islanders logo on it.  Unimpeded the Isles continue imposing their will.  But they say game four is always the hardest to win. 

In the meantime, the Washington Capitals are yet to draw up any viable legislation insofar as countering their former head coach and the New York Islanders.  Appropriately enough the captain Anders Lee opens the scoring with less than five minutes left in the first.  Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov converts a power play at 5:50 of the second knotting the game at one.  The teams play through a scoreless third and into overtime they go.  Semyon Varlamov effectively saves the game when he smothers Jakub Vrana coming down the slot on a breakaway opportunity.  Shortly thereafter New York gains puck control in the defensive end.  Derrick Brassard along the boards from outside the left circle unleashes a long distance cross-ice pass gathered in by Jordan Eberle skating through the neutral zone.  By a razors edge Mathew Barzal stays on-side while receiving Eberle's ensuing pass and continues blazing through the right circle towards net.  Unopposed Barzal dekes right then beats Braden Holtby on a crossover backhand for the victory and a three games to none series advantage.

Semyon Varlamov remains stellar, yielding zero even-strength goals in sixty-four minutes and twenty-eight seconds.  The Isles have now yielded just three even-strength goals this series through nine-plus periods of hockey.  Moreover, the Isles for a second time limit the Caps to just 23 shots on goal.  During the regular season Varlamov posts a regular season .914 SV% and 2.62 GAA.  Through the Islanders first seven post-season games he is averaging a .932 SV% and a 1.71 GAA.

Washington is playing without Nicklas Backstrom.  But the Isles are playing minus Johnny Boychuk.  Otherwise, the song remains the same ... the Isles have been particularly effective in their defensive zone with break-outs that oft times are near spotless.

• Florida was 4 for 14 on the PP (28.5%); the Isles were 4 for 16 on the PP (25%).
• Washington is 3 for 11 on the PP (27.2%); the Isles are 1 for 14 on the PP (0.71%).
• Opponents are 7 for 25 on the PP (28%); the Isles are 5 for 30 on the PP (16.6%)

• Florida averaged 25 shots on goal; the Isles averaged 30 shots on goal.
• Washington is averaging 23 shots on goal; the Isles are averaging 33 shots on goal.
• Opponents are averaging 24 shots on goal; Isles are averaging 31.5 shots on goal.

• Florida won 127 face-offs (52.2 %); the Isles won 116 face-offs (47.7 %).
• Washington has won 76 face-offs (42.6%); the Isles have won 102 face-offs (57.3%).

• Isles outscore the Panthers 13-7 and 9-3 at even-strength.
• Isles are outscoring the Caps 11-5 and 10-2 at even-strength.
• Isles have so far outscored their opponents by a 19-5 margin at even-strength, and are doubling their opponents 24-12 overall.

Stay out of the box, or score more on the power play.  The deeper the playoffs go the more essential special teams become.

N.Y. Islanders: Stay True Through Game Two

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Islanders Lead Series; 2-0

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

II - NYI 5; WAS 2

SUNDAY

Washington Capitals

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

The Bubble

Through six games now against the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals, the Isles have remained consistently true to their game.  The averages since entering the bubble bear that out.

Semyon Varlamov faces 25 shots, allows two goals, and turns away 23 others.  They do a better job this time of staying out of the box, allowing the Capitals only two power play opportunities, while scoring one goal for themselves in five chances.  Otherwise, they outscore Washington at even strength by a 4-2 margin.  They also keep out-hitting the Caps, continue to win more face-offs, and after two games are out-shooting the Caps by a 59-51 margin.

Washington gets two goals from Alex Ovechkin.  The first comes on a deflection just 0:56 second into the game.  His second comes on the power play at the 6:32 mark of the second period, tying the game at two.  After which the Islanders veto the Capitals the rest of the way.  They get goals across the board from Nick Leddy, Matt Martin, Brock Nelson, Cal Clutterbuck, and Anders Lee.

Versus Florida the Isles average 3.25 goals for, and 1.75 goals against.  The Panthers only average 25 shots per game, while the Isles yield only three goals during even strength over twelve periods.

Washington takes 26 shots in game one, and another 25 in game two.  They've so far been limited to a pair of goals through seven PP opportunities.  However, the Islanders are only 1 for 9 on the power play.

Keep staying out of the box.  As I said after game one, playing at even strength is this team's main strength, second only to the coaching of Barry Trotz.  When they're not killing penalties, the Islanders have so far outscored Washington by an 8-2 margin.

N.Y. Islanders: Game One Goes According to Script

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles Lead Capitals; 1-0

I - NYI 4; WAS 2

Josh Bailey's Shorthanded Goal Upends Capitals

There is no belittling the Florida Panthers.  They are a viable opponent, their 35-34-8 final record says so.  But the Islanders handle them rather neatly, three games to one.  They outscore the Panthers 13-7, which translates into 1.75 goals per game for Florida, and 3.25 goals per game for the Isles.

The Islanders limit the Panthers to an average of 25 shots per game.  Semyon Varlamov faces 103 shots overall, making 96 saves.  Four of his seven goals allowed come on the penalty kill.  Said another way, he allows three even strength goals over the course of twelve periods of hockey.

Varlamov starts 45 regular seasons games; Thomas Greiss makes 34 starts.  Statistically, Varlamov is the better between the two, barely.  He is so far outplaying his regular season performance (.914 SV% and 2.62 GAA).

Okay, what does this all mean?

Coach Trotz takes over a dawdling team, and with very little change in personnel other than the departure of John Tavares transforms them into a contender.  But playing with physicality and scoring have never really been issues for the Islanders.  Defense and goaltending, now there's the rub.

Enter the Washington Capitals, who finish with a 41-28-8 (90 points) record, and a plus/25 point differential.  The Islanders go 35-33-10 (80 points), with a minus/one point differential.

In Game One, Varlamov and the Islanders stay true, as if following a script.

Varlamov faces a familiar 26 shots, making 24 saves.  Washington's two goals come on the power play; both by T.J. Oshie; none at even strength.  Down 2-0 midway through the second, the Islanders go on to score four unanswered goals.  Jordan Eberle's goal in the last two minutes of period two, and Anders Lee's game tying goal within the first two minutes of period three are daggers in the backs of the Capitals and goalie Braden Holtby.  Josh Bailey's short-handed goal at the 6:52 is the twist.  Anthony Beaullivier scores at 11:55 just to be safe.  The Isles also dominate face-offs by a 36-20 margin.

Anders Lee and Washington's Tom Wilson join for twenty penalty minutes; nine for Lee; eleven for Wilson; advantage Islanders.  However, they afford the Capitals seven power play opportunities.  It leads to an early deficit.  Credit the PK with thwarting five other opportunities, and picking up a goal.

Otherwise, do what you gotta do, but stay out of the damn box.  Playing five on five has always been a strength.