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.

N.Y. Islanders Impose Their Will Upon Boston Bruins

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
PLAYOFFS: ROUND TWO

Islanders defeat Bruins; 4-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

V - NYI 5; BOS 4

VI - NYI 6; BOS 2

*overtime

Boston Gets Blown Out Of The Barn; Isles Advance To Final Four

Looking back, it took Barry Trotz exactly one game to figure out the Bruins.  Afterwhich, it was just a matter of physical execution.  

Game one was not an aberration.  Boston and their perfection line are that good.  Game three was a coin flip; we know that.  The real story was the one-all tie during regulation.  Otherwise, overtime is risky business.  Take away Long Island's two empty-net goals in game six, and the Isles still doubled up on Boston.  All told, the Islanders wind up outscoring Boston by a 22-17 margin.

Wednesday evening started with an inspiring National Anthem.  Good job by Long Island!

At some point, Lou Lamoriello needs to be shoehorned into this conversation.  In 13 regular-season games after his acquisition from the Devils, 36-year old Travis Zajac registered two points, a goal against Boston, and an assist versus the Rangers.  He played just one game in the series against Pittsburgh in which he posted an assist and a plus-two.  Travis was scoreless through the first five games against the Bruins.  Come game six, the veteran of 15 seasons and 57 playoff games while with the Devils opens the scoring at 8:52 of the first period off feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau - another Lamoriello acquisition.

This time Semyon Varlamov did not yield an early goal, and thus the Isles could play with a lead.  That is until Brad Marchand made Long Island pay for committing two really dumb tripping penalties when at 17:36 of the first, he scored a power-play goal assisted by David Krejci and David Pastrnak.

We've heard it before about Barry Trotz telling his team to keep pressing with the forecheck.  So you know he must have said something during the first intermission.  With mission statement in hand, Brock Nelson stole the puck near Boston's blue line and came barrelling through the right circle to score at 5:20 off feeds from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey.  Then, at 12:39, a forechecking Brock Nelson seized the puck in a major Boston defensive zone faux-pas and scored with another assist from Josh Bailey.

Barry Trotz's system and Lou Lamoriello's acquisitions are punctuated by yet another Boston defensive zone turnover.  Kyle Palmieri converts a rebound unassisted at 16:07, giving the Isles a 4-1 lead.  Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri now leads the Islanders with seven playoff goals; Brock Nelson is next with six.

A third tripping penalty called against the Islanders (Matt Martin) leads to Brad Marchand's second power-play goal of the game.  Otherwise, Semyon Varlamov does not yield an even-strength goal.  He faces 25 shots on goal, stopping all but two during special teams.  Varlamov rewards his head coach's confidence in him with his fourth victory over Boston.  His only loss came after limiting Boston to just one goal in regulation, then losing game three in overtime.

It was quite appropriate that Cal Clutterbuck and Ryan Pulock should both score into empty nets, respectively, a reward for jobs well done.  Pulock led Isles blueliners with 23:21 minutes and a plus-one.  Clutterbuck, there's a reason why the Islanders a few years ago signed him to an extension.  They get their money's worth every night.

Meanwhile, the Islanders out-bullied the brutish Boston Bruins.  Long Island could have fallen upon the Bruins like a ton of bricks (as they did in game one) if they wanted to but realized a need to tone it down a bit to better sync up the rest of their game.  That said, Long Island in game six provided young Charlie McAvoy a lesson in what it's like playing under duress.  He needed upwards of six minutes to recover from a big hit by Kyle Palmieri ... there's that name again.

This was a sound series victory over the Bruins.

Nuf ced.

N.Y. Islanders Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Boston Bruins

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ROUND TWO
Islanders lead Bruins; 3-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

V - NYI 5; BOS 4

*overtime

Three Power Play Goals Sink Bruins

David Patrnak, or should I say, Semyon Varlamov did it again.  He yields an early goal within the first few shots of the game, forcing the Islanders to again play from behind.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin ... despite dominating play in the first period, Sean Kuraly is whistled for a mindless slash upon Noah Dobson at 18:17 of the first period.  Mathew Barzal continues his personal surge with a power-play goal at the 18:49 mark - a real crowd killer - tying the game at one.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin II ... at 2:56 into the second period, Matt Grzelcyk is penalized for cross-checking Leo Komarov.  Kyle Palmieri makes Boston pay just before the power play was set to expire.

But of course, the lead does not last.  The Islanders have thus far been caught playing Bruins hockey.  Brad Marchant skates around Ryan Pulock and, at 7:27, ties the game at two.

However, the tide starts to change, and now the Islanders have Boston drawn into their own brand of hockey.  Josh Bailey puts the Islanders ahead at 14:30 on feeds from Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Beauvillier.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin III ... at 15:18 of the second period, Chris Wagner is sent to the box for high-sticking Mathew Barzal.  At 16:38, Jordan Eberle gives Long Island a 4-2 lead; Noah Dobson and Mathew Barzal the assists.

The Bruins pulled goalie Tuukka Rask for the third period.

Brock Nelson repays Boston for the Pastrnak goal when he scores at the 1:59 mark of the third period.

Afterwhich, it becomes a matter for Semyon Varlamov outlasting the Bruins.  Whereas the Islanders generate just 19 shots on goal, Boston fired off 44 shots on goal.  Pastrnak scores on a power-play at the 3:48 mark, and at 14:43, David Krejci pulls the Bruins within one.  But they would score no more.

Semyon Varlamov faces 44 shots stopping four for the win.  

Physicality remains up to snuff; Islanders hold the edge.

Mathew Barzal now has three goals in his last three games and six points in the series.

Kyle Palmieri scored his team-leading sixth goal of the playoffs and his third against the Bruins.

N.Y. Islanders Make Statement in Game Four Victory Over Boston

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders and Bruins tied: 2-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

*overtime

Islanders Dictate Terms in Game Four Victory

I'm inclined to say this was the Islanders' most complete performance of the playoffs, wherein scoring, goaltending, physicality, and defense all came together.  That wasn't always the case in the first round against Pittsburgh.

Mathew Barzal now has four points in his last three games.  This, after posting just three points through the Islanders' first seven post-season games.  On Saturday, he assists on Kyle Palmieri's game-tying goal in the second period, then scores the go-ahead goal at 13:03 of the third period.  It was the first of three unanswered goals by Long Island en route to a 4-1 victory and a two-all series tie.  Casey Cizikas scored into an empty net at 18:57 and exactly one minute later, Jean-Gabriel Pageau buried his third of the playoffs.  Trade deadline acquisition Kyle Palmieri now leads the Islanders with five playoff goals. 

Boston had more shots on goal in the first period, but the Isles outshot the Bruins in both the second and third periods.  Long Island denied the Bruins any puck continuity and wind up outshooting Boston by a 35-29 margin.  Faceoffs were split down the middle at 30 apiece.  

Scott Mayfield administered some attitude adjustment to Taylor Hall, and Matt Martin squared off with Jarred Tinnordi.  Mathew Barzal even took a spear to the family jewels.  Otherwise, cross-checks and slashing were the order of the day.  All of which worked in Long Island's favor.

Tuukka Rask, simply put, is an excellent goalie.  He knows what it's like to lift the Cup.  Rask faced 32 shots, making four saves on special teams and 26 saves at even strength.  But Semyon Varlamov was a little better this game, facing 29 shots and stopping all but one.  He made nine saves on special teams, and 19 saves at even strength.

N.Y. Islanders: Long Island Blows Overtime Budget

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Bruins lead Islanders; 2-1

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

*overtime

GAME FOUR

Bruins

vs.

Islanders

FROM

The Barn

Semyon Varlamov Surrenders First and Last Goal

The bottom line is Boston won on a really bad-angle shot.  

It renders moot which skaters were on the ice at that moment.

Was Semyon Varlamov surprised by this one particular attempt on net after already having faced 40 shots?  Did he not seal his body against the pipe?  Was he also being mindful of a Bruin potentially barreling down the slot?  Did Semyon even see the puck?   

Yes, he surrendered yet another early goal.  Lest we forget, he made five saves during an early Boston power play in the first as well.  That being said, can Semyon Varlamov be criticized for stopping all but one of 40 shots before the curtain fell?

Answer as you will.

Mind you, the Isles laid more hits and won more face-offs.  However, it's no wonder they also blocked more shots as Boston fired off 41 shots on goal, whereas the Islanders mustered 29 shots on goal.  Said another way, the Islanders were outplayed.  The power play was scoreless in three chances.

Islanders centermen (minus their captain) totaled nine shots on goal with one point.  Boston centermen joined together for 15 shots on goal with two points.  That's how close this is, two straight overtime games, and why Coach Trotz faces another dilemma regarding who starts the next game in net.  

Ilya Sorokin, if you remember, yielded five goals in game one, two on Boston power-plays, and three in the third period.  Meanwhile, Varlamov has carried the Isles into consecutive overtimes.  Fans might be split evenly down the middle.  It's just that Varlamov continues rendering the most inopportune goals.  Even then, you know what they say, listen to the fans, and before long, you'll find yourself sitting with them.

In three power-play opportunities, Tuukka Rask made five saves.  Otherwise, he makes 23 saves at even strength.  In fact, he made some rather stellar saves.  The Isles had their chances but simply couldn't convert against Rask.  After keeping the Isles scoreless through two and a half periods, Mathew Barzal decided to finally show up.  He scored his first goal of the post-season at 14:34 of the third period on feeds from Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock, but that's all there was.  

At 3:36 of overtime, Brad Marchant takes a bad angle shot from the left corner that beats Semyon Varlamov.  

Boston takes two games to one series lead.

The Bruins have now outscored the Isles by a 10-7 margin and by a 9-6 margin in regulation.

Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy played 29:11 minutes, which sort of mirrors what Pittsburgh does with Chris Letang.  You do not see the disciplined Barry Trotz doing that.  Ryan Pulock led Isles blueliners with 24:34 minutes, Adam Pelech was next in with 23:21 minutes. 

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.

N.Y. Islanders Take Out Penguins In Six

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

GAME ONE

ISLANDERS

vs.

BRUINS

FROM

Causeway Street Ice Hut

Isles Find Balance in the Force

Hear that..?

That's the sound of a window slamming shut.  

Time is running short for the Penguins.  For several years now, they've suffered poor goaltending and defensive depth.  Far too often, their top two defensemen average 28 and 29 minutes a night.  On this night, Chris Letang registers over 28 minutes.  Four Penguins defensemen finished with a minus-two.  Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust were minus-three, and Jake Guentzel was a minus-four.

Game Six starts on a down note.  Jeff Carter, there's that name again, scores just 1:27 into the game.  The Isles answer just under four minutes later.  Anthony Beauvillier nets his third of the series on feeds from Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. 

Scott Mayfield gets whistled at 9:58 of the first for cross-checking Evgeni Malkin.  It served its purpose, but Jake Guentzel made Long Island pay at 11:12 with his first goal of the series.  Then roughly one minute later, Kyle Palmieri ties the game at two off a feed from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The Islanders commit their second cardinal sin of the evening when at 1:53 of the second period, Jason Zucker gives the Penguins a 3-2 lead.

After which, the Penguins fall apart like wet toilet paper.

Brock Nelson scores at 8:35, and Ryan Pulock scores 13 seconds later on feeds from Travis Zajac and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  Just under three minutes later, Brock Nelson nets his second goal of the game for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.   

Ilya Sorokin stops 34 of 37 shots on goal and all shots over the final 38:07 minutes of play.

Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson register three points each.  Islanders trade acquisitions: Kyle Palmieri scores three goals in six games, and Travis Zajac, who has played infrequently, finished with a plus-two.

• ICE COLD: Mathew Barzal registers just three assists and a minus-two through six games. 

Long Island wins the series in six.  After being down two games to one, the Isles win three in a row.  Once they toned down the physicality, their overall game synced up.  They will now take on the Boston Bruins, who easily defeated the Washington Capitals in five.  I'm curious to see how they approach this easily more physical match-up.

N.Y. Islanders: Former New Jersey Devil Topples Penguins in Overtime

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

2020-2021 

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

Islanders lead Penguins; 1-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

*overtime

Kyle Palmieri Finishes What He Starts

The Islanders have trouble scoring?  Yeah, so let's make a trade?  Oh, it did little to impact offensive production? 

About that ...

Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri does exactly what the Islanders needed most, score pucks.  He opens the scoring at 7:58 of the first period on feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  But whatever the Islanders did, the Penguins answered right back.   Within minutes Frederick Gaudreau ties the game at one.  Sidney scores the only goal of the second period.  Just 3:33 into the third period, Jean-Gabriel Pageau ties the game at two.  Then at 15:50, Brock Nelson gives the Isles a 3-2 lead with assists from Anthony Beauvillier and Ryan Pulock.  But a mere 36-seconds later, Kasperi Kapanen ties the game at three, and into overtime, they go.

At 16:30 of the extra session, the veteran Kyle Palmieri patiently settles an uncooperative bouncing puck then wrists it high over Tristan Jarry's left shoulder for the game-winner.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau matches Sidney Crosby with five SOG's and one goal but also comes away with two assists for three points.

Getting the start between the pipes, Ilya Sorokin stops 39 of 42 shots on goal, all at even strength.

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: First Place Showdown Against Washington Capitals

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SHOWDOWN

Capitals lead Islanders; 3-2

I - WAS 3; NYI 2

II - WAS 6; NYI 3

III - WAS 3; NYI 1

IV - NYI 8; WAS 4

V - NYI 1; WAS 0

Washington Capitals

vs.

New York Islanders

The Rangers must have been feeling really good about themselves after sweeping four straight from the Devils.  Whatever they were feeling ended Tuesday night when the Isles slapped some reality back into them with a decisive 6-1 victory at The Barn.

• Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba left the game midway through the first period with only five minutes of ice time after getting plastered in the corner by Matt Martin who was the initial recipient of a big hit by Trouba.

Josh Bailey returned from missing two games.  However, Cal Clutterbuck remains out.  Bailey was joined on the same line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anthony Beauvillier.  Together they accounted for nine points.  Jordan Eberle finished with a goal and an assist, and Brock Nelson scored his team-leading 16th goal.  Even new acquisitions Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri joined for three shots on goal and an assist each.

The next three games will go a long way towards determining the East Division winner.  Long Island and Washington enter the series tied at 62 points each with an equal number of games remaining.  After the Capitals, the Isles finish out the season with two games each against the Rangers, Sabres, and Devils and a one-game season finale against the Bruins.  The Capitals finish up with two each against the Penguins, Rangers, and Flyers and close out the regular season with one game against Boston. 

Semyon Varlamov

• Games: 30
• Record: 17-9-3
• SV%: .923
• GAA: 2.20

Vitek Vanecek

• Games: 31
• Record: 17-9-3
• SV%: .908
• GAA: 2.77

The Islanders are sputtering of late with a 1-3-2 record in their last six games.  The Caps are 4-2-0 in their last six but are coming off a loss against Boston.  Washington leads the season series.  However, the Islanders have won the last two meetings.  When they last played on Apr. 6, Brock Nelson scored the only goal of the game.  Semyon Varlamov faced 29 shots and stopped them all for the shutout.

Battle of the Hudson: Rangers Hand Devils Fifth Straight Defeat

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

BATTLE of the HUDSON

Rangers lead Devils; 5-2

I - NJD 4; NYR 3

II - NJD 5; NYR 2

III - NYR 6; NJD 1

IV - NYR 6; NJD 3

V - NYR 3; NJD 0

VI - NYR 4; NJD 0

VII - NYR 6; NJD 3

VIII - SUNDAY

Pavel Buchnevich Scores First Career Hat Trick on Birthday

Things are winding down to an interesting conclusion.  Not only are the Rangers a mere four points behind the Bruins with twelve games left to play, but the final two regular-season games are at Boston.  

I wonder if this is indeed the reason why the Rangers didn't trade Chris Kreider.  Of all the players purged these last few years by Jeff Gorton, I remain surprised they A)-signed him to a prohibitive contract, and B)-by the simple fact he is still here.  

Chris Kreider scored the Rangers' sixth and final goal of Saturday's match against the Devils into an empty net, that is.  It marks his first point in six games and his first goal since Mar. 28 at Washington.  Since scoring a hat trick on Mar. 4 against these very Devils, Kreider has just three points through nine games in April and just five goals in his last 23 games.

That won't jive in the playoffs.  Just saying ...

Pavel Buchnevich opened the scoring at 7:26 of the first period on feeds by Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.  The Rangers then scored on consecutive power plays, first by Ryan Strome at 10:27 with assists from Panarin and Zibanejad, then again by Pavel Buchnevich (K'Andre Miller, Colin Blackwell) at the 11:48 mark for a 3-0 Rangers lead.

Artemi Panarin scored within a New York minute to open the second period with assists from Ryan Lindgren and Ryan Strome for a commanding 4-0 lead.  The Rangers appeared on their way towards a third straight blanking of the Devils, but Michael McLeod ended that notion at 12:37 of the second period with his seventh goal of the season.

Into the second intermission, they went. 

A little over five minutes into the third period, P.K. Subban scored his fifth of the season on feeds from Yegor Sharangovich and Jack Hughes.  One minute and four seconds later, Yegor Sharangovich made it a 4-3 game off another feed from Hughes.  But that's where Newark's comeback stops.  The Devils gambled when they pulled goalie Aaron Dell from the net, but the house won.  Pavel Buchnevich scored into an empty net at 18:39, and Kreider followed likewise one minute later.

Pavel Buchnevich scores a hat trick on his 26th birthday!

Artemin Panarin had three assists and one goal; Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad score three points each.

After a tough overtime loss against the Islanders, Igor Shesterkin bounces back with back-to-back shutouts of the Devils.  In each of the first two games of this series, he stops 27 and 16 shots on goal.  On Friday, he faces an increased 33 SOGs and allows three goals even-strength (.. but that's because Coach Quinn took his foot off the pedal).

New Jersey played beyond seven periods against the Rangers before McLeod's second-period goal.  The Devils are 1-5 since trading Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac with 15 goals for and 27 goals against.  They are likewise 0-5 against the Rangers since winning the first two games of the season series.

N.Y. Rangers: Young Blueshirts Lead Way Against Veteran Islanders

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

THE RIVALRY

Rangers and Islanders tied: 2-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT..!! 

The up-and-coming off-Broadway city slickers trekked out to Uniondale, where they achieve a decisive and rather uplifting victory over the division's top team and their chief local rival.   

Quinn's Kids knot the season series at two but, more importantly, close within five points of fourth-place Boston.  

Meanwhile, the Islanders fall back into a first-place tie with the Washington Capitals, who, as you might expect, defeated the Buffalo Sabres.

Making his first start since Mar. 19 against the Capitals but looking far from rusty, Alexandar Georgiev was sharp as a razor's edge in earning his seventh win of the season.  He faced 32 (even strength) shots on goal and stopped all but one by Andy Greene at 14:53 of the second period.  The Islanders were afforded just one power-play opportunity in which they failed to get off a shot.

Islanders' newly acquired center Travis Zajac generated two shots on goal but was 1/4 on face-offs.  Kyle Palmieri skated a quiet 13:54 minutes and participated in Long Island's lone power play.

The Rangers actually split face-offs down the middle at 29 apiece, which for them is a good thing.  And wouldn't you know, they even mustered six more shots on goal.  If you're so willing, one might even agree Isles' physicality was outdone Friday evening by speed and, dare I say, finesse.  But you didn't get that from me ... Long Island laid 21 hits versus just twelve by the Rangers.  However, the Blueshirts peppered Semyon Varlamov with 35 even-strength shots on goal, of which three got by.

Alexis Lafreniere / Filip Chytil / Kaapo Kakko

In what many Rangers find might consider the highlight of the game, 19-year old Alexis Lafreniere opened the scoring at 6:05 of the second period on assists from 21-year old Filip Chytil and fellow 19-year old Kaapo Kakko.  If only Coach Quinn would just leave Lafreniere/Chytil/Kakko alone for stretches and let them develop chemistry together.  I understand they are young and still need a measure of protection, both physically and logistically.  More time together for the sake of familiarity is all I ask.  But here's everything you need to know - Alexis Lafreniere, to date, has seven goals.  His first five goals of the season were assisted by seven different players.  

1. vs. BUF; Colin Blackwood.
2. vs. WAS; Artemi Panarin, Anthony Bitetto.
3. vs. BUF; Pavel Buchnevich.
4. vs. NJD; Mike Jibanejad.
5. vs. WAS; Julien Gauthier, Kevin Rooney.
6. vs. PITT; Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko.
7. vs. NYI; Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko.

Low and behold, goals number six against Pittsburgh and number seven against the Islanders were assisted by Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko.  

Speaking of Kaako, his situation has been only somewhat different than that of Lafreniere.  Artemi Panarin has assisted on three of Kakko's six goals, and Ryan Strome and Philip DiGiuseppe assisted on two each.  Which is to say Kakko has experienced a little more stability and consistency insofar as linemates.  Otherwise, similar to Lafreniere, seven different players have assisted on Kaako's six goals, and Filip Chytil was one of them.  He assisted on Kaapo's first goal this season back in January against the Islanders, but not since, and for that, I blame Quinn.  Let the results speak for themselves.

Cycling back to the game ...

Roughly four minutes later, Colin Blackwell netted his twelfth of the season on Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome's assists.  Midway through the third period, 21-year old K'Andre Miller scored on assists from fellow blueliner Jacob Trouba and Panarin's second for the game.  Mika Zibanejad then closed out the scoring into an empty net with 1:12 left in regulation.

Zibanejad, to date, has quietly amassed 31 points in 40 games played.  After scoring just six points over his first 19 games of the season, Mika has since scored 25 points in his last 21 games.

N.Y. Islanders: Lou Lamoriello Reinforces The Ranks

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

LOU LAMORIELLO MAKES SNOW DAYS 

A DISTANT MEMORY

Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri Dealt to Long Islanders

With centerman and captain Anders Lee out for the season, Lou Lamoriello acquired winger Kyle Palmieri and center Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for AHL prospects A.J. Greer, Mason Jobst, this year's first-round draft pick, and next year's fourth-round pick.

The Islanders add smart veteran depth and talent.  Palmieri scored no less than 24 goals in each of his first five seasons with the Devils and three times achieved at least 50 points.  This season to date, Kyle Palmieri has eight goals and 19 points through 34 games with Newark.  Meanwhile, Travis Zajac's time in New Jersey comes to an end after 15 full seasons and over 1,000 games in a Devils uniform.  To date, he has seven goals and 18 points through 33 games.  I expect each of them to fit seamlessly into Barry Trotz's system.  

Palmieri is 30-years old, and Zajac is 35-years old, and both will become unrestricted free agents at season's end.  In return, the Devils acquire another high draft pick.  It was the prudent thing to do as something is always better than nothing.

THURSDAY

Devils   6

Sabres   3

FINAL

Thank goodness for Buffalo.  Newark snaps a four-game skip with Thursday's commanding 6-3 victory out in Western New York.  The Devils scored three times in the first period, then three more times in the third period.  Pavel Zacha netted two power-play goals, Jack Hughes scored his eighth goal of the season, and Yegor Sharangovich scored his ninth.

THURSDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL

SHOOTOUT

The Islanders put up two quick goals in the first period.  But Philadelphia ground out a two-all tie after two periods.  After a scoreless third period and overtime, the Islanders finally defeat the Flyers in a shootout.  Both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac played their first game as New York Islanders, mustering just three total shots in goal.  The Islanders got goals from Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle.

N.J. Devils: Mackenzie Blackwood Turns Away Bruins

From the desk: THE BRICK CITY STYX

Devils lead Bruins; 4-1

I - BOS 3; NJD 2*

II - NJD 2; BOS 1#

III - NJD 3; BOS 2

IV - NJD 1; BOS 0

V - NJD 1; BOS 0

*shootout

#overtime

Devils Extend Win Streak to Four Against Boston

Kyle Palmieri's goal at 16:37 of the first period holds up.  It was his seventh of the season.  He now has 16 points in 32 games making the Smithtown, Long Island, native a little more attractive to other teams as the NHL trade deadline approaches.  Since arriving from Anaheim, Kyle has touched or topped 20 goals in each of his first five seasons with the Devils.  Were it not for last year's pandemic shortened schedule, he was on pace for the second 30 goal season in his career but finished with 25 goals and 20 assists in 65 games.

Ty Smith's 17th assist ties his for team-lead with 19 points; Jesper Bratt picked up the second assist on Palmieri's goal.

Boston unleashed 40 shots on goal, and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped them all for his first shutout of the season.  Nine saves came on special teams and 31 at even strength.  He made 17 saves in the third period but none more important than his kick-save with just seven seconds left in regulation - absolute thievery.  It's the Devils' second blanking of the Bruins.  Three weeks ago, Scott Wedgewood likewise shutout the Bruins in a 1-0 final.

The Devils and Bruins resume hostilities on Tuesday.  Afterwhich, Newark hosts the Washington Capitals.  The Devils are winless in six games this season against the Capitals.  However, they have now taken four of five games against the Boston Bruins.

Captain Nico Hischier remains out.  He has played just five games this season.  

Surging New Jersey Devils Set Sights on Washington

From the desk: THE BRICK CITY STYX

Flyers lead Devils; 2-1

I - PHI 5; NJD 3 

II - PHI 3; NJD 1

III - NJD 4; PHI 3

Storming the Capital ... Hockey Team of Washington D.C., That Is.  Tell Your Friends.

No one is trying to kid anybody.  The Devils, like the Rangers, are still a rebuilding club.  They place respectively seventh and sixth in the division as a direct result of Buffalo's ongoing implosion.  Otherwise, the Devils and Rangers would be fighting a four-point battle between seventh and last place.

Of course, with rebuilding come tempered expectations.  There is no need to tell Devils fans, who very recently suffered through a 4-10-2 stretch after the team's return from a mass observance of COVID protocol.  During that time, I remember P.K. Subban one night in post-game commentary saying (paraphrasing) that these Devils still had more learning to do.

The education continues, and Newark is suddenly trending with wins in four of their last five games versus the aforementioned moribund Sabres, two of three from the Penguins, and Tuesday's win against the flummoxed Flyers.  The regularly scheduled follow-up game against the Flyers had already been postponed due to COVID, this time affecting Philadelphia's camp.

Therefore, the Devils will re-engage the Washington Capitals in a back-to-back set on Thursday and Friday.  It will be interesting to see how the seemingly smarter and (moreover) healthier New Jersey rank and file measure up.  

The Devils this season are 0-4 against the Caps, getting outscored by an 11-17 margin.  But if the Devils are, in fact, trending in the right direction, and they have indeed finally shaken off the last remnants of COVID from their systems, then they just might be up for the task. 

🏒

On Tuesday, the Devils scored early and held on late to defeat the Flyers for the first time in three tries.  Michael McCleod opened the scoring midway through the first period.  After the Flyers tied the game, Kyle Palmieri put the Devils back ahead on a power-play goal with just 0:06 left in the period.  The second period was all Newark.  Goals from Yegor Sharangovich and Travis Zajac staked the Devils to a 4-1 lead.  Zajac similarly closed out the period with his fourth goal of the season with a mere 0:24 seconds showing on the clock.  The Devils then withstood two goals by Philadelphia, the second coming too late, by Sean Couturier at 18:58 of the third period.  

Rookie blueliner Ty Smith assisted on Newark's first and last goals, giving him 17 points in 20 games.

Mackenzie Blackwood faced 33 shots back in net, making nine saves on special teams and 30 saves overall.  He allowed one goal on the PK in the first and two goals at even strength in the third.

N.J. Devils: Straight Out of the Playbook

From the desk: THE BRICK CITY STYX

THURSDAY

Penguins 2

Devils   3

FINAL

As if by design ... I'm sure this was more along the lines of what Lindy Ruff and Tom Fitzgerald had in mind.

New Jersey's 2019 number one draft pick Jack Hughes opens the scoring midway through the first period on assists from Ty Smith and Kyle Palmieri.  After which, the big-name import, P.K. Subban scored on the power play at 8:42 of the second period from feeds by Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes.  Just over a minute later, Newark's long-time veteran, Travis Zajac puts the game out of reach at the 10:19 mark of the second period with his third goal of the season assisted by Damon Severson.

Goalie Scott Wedgewood takes care of the rest.   It's hard to say the Devils were lucky to come away with the victory because that just isn't the truth.  Jake Guentzel scored during a Penguins power play with a mere 0:13 seconds left in the second period.  Then, with just 0:05 seconds left in the game, Bryan Rust scored making it a 3-2 game and the final margin of victory for New Jersey.  Otherwise, Scott  Wedgewood faced a season-high 42 shots on goal en route to his third win of the season.  Sidney Crosby accounted for eight shots (and no points).  It's the second time in the last eleven days Wedgewood needed to make at least 40 saves in a game, as this contest harkens back to Wedgewoods's 1-0 shut out of the Bruins.

New Jersey's 2018 first-round pick, Ty Smith picked up his twelfth assist of the season, and with two points, Jack Hughes now has 16 points in 27 games.  Now in his 15th season with over 1,000 games played with the Devils, Travis Zajac with an assist picked up point number 543 of his career.

With victories over Buffalo and now Pittsburgh, the Devils win back-to-back games for the first time in a full month, when they defeated the Rangers and Bruins in their first two games back on the ice after returning from COVID quarantine protocol.

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.J. Devils: Look What The Washington Capitals Did To Newark, Again

From the desk: THE BRICK CITY STYX

Capitals lead Devils; 3-0

I - WAS; 4; NJD 3

II - WAS 5; NJD 2

III - WAS 3; NJD 2

Newark Suffers Puck Luck Two Nights In A Row

The Devils are simultaneously rebuilding and falling apart before our eyes.  Since returning from their own COVID in-team pandemic, they've lost five of their last eight.  On Sunday, Nico Hischier sustained a puck to the face Saturday.  Then late in the third period against Washington on Sunday, Miles Wood exited the ice after taking a puck to the head on an attempted clear by Zdeno Chara.

From Sunday to Sunday, this marks the Devils' third loss against Washington in the last week in which they've been outscored by a 12-7 margin.  

With Nico Hischier out, the Devils were outdone on the faceoff by a 37-18 margin.

After trading goals in the first, then trading another pair of goals very early in the second period, Alex Ovechkin scored the go-ahead goal at 13:37 of the second.  Newark put themselves in a position to knot the game in the closing seconds; Pavel Zacha's shot was stopped by Ilya Samsonov, but Kyle Palmieri failed to put home a loose puck in front and game over.

New Jersey's scoring came courtesy of their rookies.  Winger Mikhail Maltsev netted his second of the season on a wrister from the right circle at 6:45 of the opening period.  Just 0:48 seconds after Nicklas Backstrom gave the Capas a 2-1 lead in the second, Yegor Sharangovich came barreling down the middle to score his third goal of the season, tying the game at two.

N.J. Devils: New Captain Cannot Fend Off Defeat

From the desk: BRICK CITY STYX

Travis Zajac 1000 Games

SUNDAY

Devils     3

Capitals  4

FINAL

Nico Hischier Named Captain

After having five games canceled and upwards of seventeen players under mandated quarantine, the Devils rank and file are back in the fold.  However, their return to action has, to date, proven to be a mixed bag of goods.  After shaming the Rangers and turning back the Bruins, they've since followed with consecutive losses against the Sabres and most recently against the Washington Capitals.

Because of an unanticipated delay in his return to action, scuttlebutt and speculation regarding Nico Hischier's injured knee increased.  But after missing eleven games, the Devils centerman made his long-awaited return to the ice against Buffalo, this time sporting a big "C" on his jersey.  

Unfortunately, after Sunday's loss, Nico Hischier is now 0-2 as Captain.

Newark went up 2-0 against the Capitols on Andreas Johnsson's first period power-play goal, then on Jack Hughes' fourth goal of the season at 3:55 of the second.  After John Carlson tied the game at two in the third, two ensuing penalties would spell the Devils' demise.  Kyle Palmieri got whistled for holding midway through the period, and T.J. Oshie answered with his second goal of the game.  Then Ryan Murray got caught tripping Carl Hagelin.  In the blink of an eye, Alex Ovechkin scored his sixth of the season.  Nikita Gusev scored with just 0:12 seconds left in regulations giving this game a 4-3 final score in favor of Washington.  

The Devils penalty kill continues playing on their heels.  Washington was 3 for 4 on the power play.  No surprise, as the Devils are bottom tier at 15.8% through 13 games.

For Jack Huges, his fourth goal and team-leading eleventh point of the season.

CONGRATULATIONS 

TRAVIS ZAJAK 

CAREER GAMES 

1000