Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 10/2/13

Oct 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Members of the Chicago Blackhawks watch as the 2013 Stanley Cup championship banner is raised to the rafters before the game against the Washington Capitals at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL dropped the puck on the 2013-14 season last night, featuring two games in Canada and a game in the United States—although the lone U.S. game did feature the reigning Stanley Cup Champions and a 2012-13 Hart Trophy finalist.

Action on the ice was a welcome sight for hockey fans that had subsisted off of training camp news and preseason results for the past month, after enduring a brutal summer highlighted by sweltering weather and a dearth of NHL news.

As a reward for all that offseason suffering, hockey fans will have at least one NHL game to watch each night from today through Dec. 23. Not a bad price to pay for having to sweat through the offseason in order to see our favorite teams take the ice.

Was it worth the wait?

Nine

10 out of 10 hockey fans say it was.

-Mike (@MichaelWillhoft)

In Case You Missed It

Staff Face-Off: Merits of Tim Thomas Vs. Evgeni Nabokov (Eyes On Isles)

Okposo Or Bailey At Right Wing? A Good Choice For Isles (Newsday)

George Parros’s Injury Shows The Cost Of The Designated Enforcer Outweigh Benefits (Bleacher Report)

Sabres Links: Pominville’s Take On Captaincy, New Year For Leino, Gameday! (Die By The Blade)

Two Minutes For Tweeting

Be on the lookout for the latest edition of EOI’s Dump and Chase Podcast today (thedumpandchasepodcast.com), featuring staff writer Chris Triantafilis’s inaugural appearance.

Last night’s championship banner raising in Chicago was amazing to see, which calls to mind what it would be like to see the New York Islanders raise another Stanley Cup banner to the rafters in their building. Ben’s reaction might be the one most popular among Isles fans if—and when—the team wins another Cup.

Former Islanders winger Jesse Joensuu netted a power-play goal last night in his first NHL action with the Edmonton Oilers. The big Finn was a roster casualty in New York despite playing well in his time there, but when a young team like the Isles is clearing space by cutting players like Joensuu, it’s a good sign for the future of the franchise.

Last Night In The NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Leafs spoiled the Canadiens’ home opener last night, winning in Montreal 4-3 on the strength of contributions from players up and down the lineup.

James Van Riemsdyk, Dion Phaneuf, Tyler Bozak and Mason Raymond all recorded goals for Toronto in the victory, while Montreal’s Lars Eller scored two for the home team in a losing effort.

After going down 1-2 after the first period, the Leafs stormed back, scoring three unanswered goals to earn the win.

Montreal enforcer George Parros suffered a concussion after falling face-first to the ice during a fight with Toronto’s Colton Orr. Unable to break his fall, Parros’s chin hit the ice; he was taken off on a stretcher and brought to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks

The Hawks netted six goals to the Caps’ four in last night’s game that followed the raising of Chicago’s 2012-13 Stanley Cup Champions banner to the United Center’s rafters.

Washington’s newest addition Mikhail Grabovski attempted to spoil Chicago’s fun by recording a hat trick, but the Blackhawks’ offense proved to be too much for the Capitals to overcome.

The Hawks trailed by a goal in the third period before rattling off three straight of their own—from Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya and Marian Hossa—to seal the victory in front of the hometown faithful.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers

Michael Frolik scored twice for Winnipeg as the Jets beat the Edmonton Oilers last night at Rexall Place. Frolik’s goals game at 16:18 of the second period and 14:58 of the third period, capping Winnipeg’s comeback from a two-goal deficit on the road.

Jacob Trouba, the former no. 9 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, tied the game midway through the third period on his first career NHL goal. The shot was a powerful one, and it had eyes enough to sneak past Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk at a critical point in the game.

Former Islanders player Jesse Joensuu recorded a power-play goal for Edmonton in the loss.

As always, thanks for reading us at EyesOnIsles. Keep it right here for all of your NHL coverage and up-to-the-minute Islanders news. Be sure to check the menu bar at the top of the page for ways to connect with the EyesOnIsles staff; we’re always happy to talk hockey.