11/17/2011 Islanders Game Review

Islanders 2011-2012 Game 16 Vs. Canadiens Review:

WIN: Isles 4-3 Canadiens

Record: 5-8-3

Summary:

This win was extremely important for the Isles, and they did it while facing a bit of adversity. Early in the game Evgeni Nabokov went down to block a shot and immediately looked like he was in some serious pain. He left the game and the Isles were forced to put Rick DiPietro in net, which was not the sight most Islanders fans were hoping to see. DiPietro came in as the Isles were on the penalty kill and he played surprisingly well give in the situation. The first period was scoreless, but the Islanders were playing very well. Then in the 2nd it seemed like everything changed and literally every bounce was going the Islanders way. Peter Budaj made a mistake while handling the puck behind his net and ended up turning it over to PA Parenteau who just buried it in an open net. Following that, the onslaught began as the Islanders scored two more goals in the next 10 minutes. Unfortunately the Islanders handed back the momentum  following their third goal. About 6 minutes after that Islander goal, Mike Mottau turned the puck over in his own end and it was just put right into the Isles net. Then just 3 minutes or so later, Mike Mottau once again made an awful turnover that led to a Canadiens goal. With the Canadiens just one goal down and with all the momentum, Matt Moulson knocked home a gorgeous set-up pass from John Tavares with just under two minutes left in the 2nd. That goal was essential as it gave the Islanders a bit more control of the game heading into the third period. Late in the third the Habs were able to put up one more goal on the power play, but were never able to get the equalizer. This was a good game, and aside from a few miscues, it was definitely something positive. 

Three Positive Players Of The Game:

1- Matt Martin- 

I don't care that he didn't get a star, he was still the player that made the most impact in my mind. Early on in the game, John Tavares got nailed with a questionable hit from Yannick Weber, and no one answered the bell to stand up for JT. After Weber got out of the box, Matt Martin went up to him and while playing the game tried to entice him to fight. Weber never dropped the mitts, but it was sure nice to see someone do something about that hit. As usual MM was throwing his body around and creating turnovers, but in this game he showed some of his great offensive skills. He had two assists in this game and both were fairly nice plays. So far he and John Tavares are tied in my opinion, for the most effective Islander this season.

2- Jay Pandolfo- 

One of the better nights he's had with the Islanders. His line looked great and he was getting to the open ice all night. His 100th NHL goal was nice and his two-way play was terrific.

3- Rick DiPietro- 

Coming in cold like that is hard, but doing it on the PK is even harder. He overcame that hurtle, and was very solid throughout the night. There were some extremely nice saves he made that kept the Islanders ahead of the Habs and he recorded an assist on the Matt Moulson goal.

Three Negative Players Of The Game:

1- Mike Mottau- 

Oh my god, Bruno Gervais would be an upgrade over Mottau. He has been just awful all year long and this may have been the worst of em all. His two turnovers were terrible and led directly to the goals by the Canadiens. He came very close to blowing this game for the Islanders. He needs to stay in the press box.

2- Blake Comeau- 

This was also a horrible night for Comeau who just looked lost out there in this game. He wasn't crashing the net or following up on his hits, he was just floating out there. He was also a minus-2, which continued his streak of consecutive games with a negative plus/minus. This game was his 7th straight with a minus and his play continues to get worse. I think its time to get Okposo back into the line-up in place of Comeau.

3- Marty Reasoner- 

I have been very unhappy with this pick-up and his contribution to the team is nonexistent. I mean what is he doing to improve the team? He has no toughness, no point production, he's not anything special in the face-off dot, and he's not great on the PK…in this one he was a minus-2 and was very quiet.