Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 10/14/13

October 13, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Nick Bonino (13) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports – Because this was the highlight of my weekend.

Just as Mondays aren’t so bad after a New York Islanders’ win, Mondays aren’t so pleasant when they drop not one, but both of their games over the weekend.

It’s great to have hockey back again, but Long Island fans didn’t get to watch authentic Isles’ hockey on Friday or Saturday night. Both games were close – 3-2 losses to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators – but the final scores didn’t properly reflect how far the Isles actually swayed from their game.

Thirty-six is the number Islanders fans should be paying attention to this morning. Over the weekend, the Islanders combined for thirty-six (36) shots on goal – 19 in the Windy City and 17 in Music City.  That’s not very “true” to the Islanders’ brand of hockey, which averaged 30.9 shots per game in 2013 – 6^th best in the NHL.

Of course, it’s not time to panic. This isn’t expected to be one of “those” trends for the remainder of the Islanders 2013-14 campaign, but this Monday would have probably started off a lot better if the team put a few more puck on net.

Islanders return home to face the winless Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. Pack the Barn, rock the Barn, and let’s watch the Islanders return to the way they play hockey.

In case you missed it:

Rich Dias takes a look at some of the areas that need fixing after a road trip gone wrong (EOI)

Positives and negatives from the Islanders’ first road trip of the season. (Islanders Op-Timism)

Two Minutes for Tweeting:

• John Tavares with 5 points in 5 games to start the season, and the Islanders have made the playoffs in 100% of the seasons since PA Parenteau left Long Island. No looking back, only forward, which shows a beautiful image of Tavares feeding Ryan Strome in the slot for a goal.

• -Five games into the season. 2-2-1. Isles are doing fine. We’ve come back from worse than this (see: 2013). Plenty of hockey left, folks.

• It feels great. It does. The Isles could be the best team in the area, but we still have to prove it. Isles have to get back on track tomorrow.

Around the NHL

• Phoenix Coyotes 5, Carolina Hurricanes 3 – PHX (Boedker, Klinkhammer (2), Korpikoski, Doan); CAR (E. Staal, Nash, Skinner); Carolina’s Anton Khudobin left the game due to injury.
• Los Angeles Kings 3, Florida Panthers 0 – LAK (Carcillo, Williams, Nolan) – Ben Scrivens recorded the shutout in his first start as a member of the Kings.
• Winnipeg Jets 3, New Jersey Devils 0 – WPG (Kane (2), Ladd) – Winnipeg’s Olli Jokinen recorded his 700^th NHL point and 400^th NHL assist
• [For one night only] The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4, Ottawa Senators 1 (Perry (2), Getzlaf, Bonino); OTT (Ryan) –Vintage night in Anaheim; Ducks set new franchise record for shots in one game (56); Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan scored in return to Anaheim.

Across the Sound

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers fell 3-1 to the Sprinfield Falcons on Sunday afternoon. Bridgeport was behind 3-0 late into the third period before the Riley Wetmore found Johan Sundstrom for his first goal since January 11of last season. Kenny Reiter made the start for the Sound Tigers, making 22 saves. Reiter is still in search of his first AHL win.

-CT