New York Islanders
The Islanders Opening Loss Showed Promise for Game 2
Despite Carolina's 2-1 victory last night in Raleigh, the Islanders emerged from the fray secure in the knowledge that they gave the Division Champions a good run for their money.
There's plenty of cause for optimism.
Despite Carolina's 2-1 victory last night in Raleigh, the New York Islanders emerged from the fray secure in the knowledge that they gave the Division Champions a good run for their money. At five-on-five the Nassaumen were even better than the Canes.
"The Isles did a lot of things well," said MSG Networks analyst Butch Goring. "This will be a hard fought series."
Butch is right: New York got first-rate goaltending from Ilya Sorokin. The Isles played an emphatic physical game and they had enough quality chances in the final 27 minutes of play to tie the game and win it in overtime.
But they missed by inches only and, in the trade, that's called "Close but no cigar."
Plus, Ryan Pulock, who scored the Visitors' lone goal at 2:51 of the second period, played one of the games of his life, logging 23:45 and delivering nine hits among other interesting offensive opportunities.
"Ryan played amazing," said coach Lane Lambert.
But in the end the conclusion proved ersatz because the team's season-long infection -- the ineffective power play -- still hasn't healed.
The oh-for-four PP chances was even harder to digest when it came down to the fourth of the quartet of opportunities. With less than five minutes remaining in regulation time and only a goal needed to tie the game, they flubbed it with nary a shot on goal.
"We got stubborn trying to get the puck in," Lambert lamented while pointing out that the first two power plays brought some good "looks," but no red lights.
It was hoped that the glorious return of Mathew Barzal would energize the PP but it appeared that the batteries were not included. Barzy's speed was braked enough by rust. Hopefully that will be shaken off by tomorrow's rematch.
Compounding the muzzled offense was the penalty-killing failures on the first two of Carolina's four power plays. When all was said and done, that's all coach
Rod Brind'Amour's sextet needed to seal the deal and lead the series 1-0.
His backup goalie -- now the starter -- Antti Raanta was just good enough, making 25 saves out of 26 shots. He foiled Brock Nelson on a near thing near the end and made biggies on Anders Lee and Pierre Engvall. On other occasions, he was aided by the Isles failure to bury quality chances.
Another aspect that needs work is the Isles failure to more quickly move the puck out of their zone. This was especially a problem in the game's early minutes as it has been in the past.
"We've got to close in (fix) a couple of things," said Anders Lee. "There's still a lot of hockey to be played."
Lee's line with Nelson and Barzal should pick up the pace tomorrow in Raleigh as Barzy returns to top form. But overall, each of the lines has to put more pucks on goal. The Isles were outshot, 37-26.
As always, Sorokin did just about everything he could to keep the game close. All things considered, he was the best Islander from start to finish and was not at fault on either of the goals by Sibby Aho and Stefan Noesen, who got the winner.
"Sorokin did everything expected of him," said ex-Isles defenseman now MSG Networks announcer Thomas Hickey.
"Ilya made key saves at key times for us," added Noah Dobson another Islander who played a solid lunch pail game.
Hey, it's only one loss. Let's not forget 2016 when the Isles also had the Wild Card and beat Florida in six games.
As for the game's turning point, it had to be Noesen's power play goal which made it 2-0 and turned out to be the winner. The Isles had escaped the first period only down 1-0, but the second one really hurt.
"There were positives to our game," Lambert insisted. "It was hard fought and we had our chances in the third period right down to the end. Now, we just have to get ready for Game Two."
If the power play and penalty kill can be fixed, the Isles could win this series. Certainly there can be no complaints about their efforts five-on-five nor their physicality that will be renewed tomorrow.
"It should be a battle," Dobson concluded.
And, perhaps, this time the Islanders will get the cigar!