Secondary Scoring Helps Isles Knock Off Top Team In The East

 photo courtesy of http://hockeyindependent.com/

Tonight, for the first time all year our Islanders won a second game in a row at home.  This win, was over the number one team in the east, the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 6-3.  Here are some of my notes:
-Congrats to Radek on the winning goal!  Never understood why he has seen so little ice time this season.

-Travis Hamonic may not be having the year people expected, but you can't take his toughness away from him!  Already not at 100%, Hamonic blocks the shot at the end of the second period and is shaken up.  Yet, he comes out for the third and doesn't miss a shift.

-Marty Reasoner had a so so game.  He looked really bad at points, not being able to catch easy passes!  However, he did block a couple shots and had a nice tip at one point which is rare for him.

-Great game from the fourth line all around!  McDonald works hard on most every shift and has proven himself to be a solid fourth line player during this shortened season.  Matt Martin had another solid game throwing the body.  Not only that though, he provided offense which is always good.  He showed really soft hands on his goal.  Lastly, Casey just brings it every shift!  When was the last time you saw an opposing player get hit into the bench?  That line has become a real solid fourth line.

-Even when Tavares is having an off game, which you can tell he still isn't feeling 100% he still puts up two points.  He is really such a special player!

-Pretty good game from Nabokov, once again didn't really let in a soft goal which is a good sign for him.  Defense did leave him out to dry a few times which is concerning though.

-Officials were inconsistent at best, seemed like they were trying to pacify the teams at times.  Its good that the team didn't let the refs get to them this time like they had done before and just played their game.

Well, coming into this game who thought that we would put up six goals against one of the hottest teams in the NHL and hand them there first regulation loss in the last 11 games?  On top of that, actually get a regulation win at home which has been a tough thing for this team this year.  Games like this give the fans hope, but they only matter if the team can build on them.  Thursdays test is going to be tough, but the winner will be sitting in the final playoff spot.  Lets see which team shows up.  I have a sense they are going to have a large crowd to play in front of that night which only adds to the game.

Next Game: Thursday @ Home VS the Rangers