Friday, November 8, 2013

Islanders Struggles Continue In Shutout Loss To Carolina

Last night, our Islanders dropped their second in a row being shutout 1-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes.  This loss gives the Islanders a 5-27-5 record in their last 32 games against Carolina and a 1-7-2 record in their last ten games at the PNC Arena.  Here are some of my notes from last nights game:

-One of the few bright spots of last night was the play of Kevin Poulin.  For a second start in a row Poulin came out and was very solid and made key saves when they were needed.  After his last two starts and Nabokov's last two starts I don't know how you couldn't realistically start giving Poulin a bulk of the starts.  The goalie that starts should be the person that gives our team the best chance to win and right now that is Poulin.

-Brock Nelson had a pretty good game, was very noticeable for the first time in a little while.

-The teams frustration is starting to show on the ice.  Not only with Matt Martins fight last night.  But, with Travis Hamonics altercation last night with Tyler Ennis and then the first lines scrum in the third period last night as well.


-The power play continues to struggle with Visnovsky out.  Doug Weight has been hailed as a power play guru.  It is time for him to start showing that because we haven't been able to do anything on our power play going scoreless in the last six games.

-Aaron Ness didn't look bad at all in his season debut last night.  Even though he is really small and isn't exactly what we need back there I would much rather see him in then Matt Carkner because Ness can actually play defense.

After the first period last night, this game was pretty much a disaster.  After all the good feelings that came out of last weekends back to back wins this certainly wasn't what was expected against two divisional rivals.  If this play keeps up you have to wonder how long before Capuano gets on the hot seat.  Not that I think making Doug Weight or Brent Thompson the coach would make any sort of huge difference.

Next Game: Tomorrow night @ Columbus

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