Top Shelf – Islanders Daily 11/4/13

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Monday morning, and I believe it would be fair to say that the New York Islanders did a solid job in calming some of the nerves.

Thomas Vanek scored his first goal (three points total) as a member of the organization, which helped reaffirm the team’s trading of Matt Moulson last Sunday night. Kevin Poulin played remarkably well in his third start of the season, which helped restore confidence in not only the team’s backup goaltender, but the team’s goaltending situation as a whole. Both players were key contributors in helping the Islanders win both of their hockey games this weekend – defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in a shootout and the Boston Bruins 3-1 in regulation – to earn four of a possible four points after falling to the New York Rangers last Tuesday night.

Yes, despite all of the worrying, the Islanders do remain in second place of the Metropolitan Division. Yes, despite all of the criticism, the Islanders look to be righting the ship, as the weekend presented us with the team we expected to see out of the gate. No, it will not be smooth sailing from here on, but the Islanders demonstrated why they are considered a major threat this season. Now, if they can string a few more wins together….

Islanders are back on the ice tomorrow against the Washington Capitals, which will also be a battle for second place.

In case you missed it:

Our own Joe Pantorno says to relax. Thomas Vanek has settled in. (EOI)

The Islanders made a statement this weekend. (Isles Op-Timism)

Kyle Okposo is off to a much better start this season. (Newsday)

Two Minutes for Tweeting:

• That’s the spirit!

• Is there really any argument about Kyle Okposo being on the team’s first-line? Okposo leads the team in points (17), and has been on the scoresheet in all, but two, games. 

• And zero tears and rattles from the former Wild, Cal Clutterbuck.

Around the NHL

-Dallas Stars 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (SO): DAL (Whitney, Nichushkin, Roussel), OTT (Karlsson, Spezza, Ryan); Bobby Ryan tied the game with 10 seconds left to play, but goaltender Craig Anderson was taken off the ice on a stretcher during overtime. Valeri Nichuskin scored his 1^st NHL goal for Dallas, and the Stars won in a shootout (GWG: Jamie Benn)

-Calgary Flames 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT): CGY (Cammalleri, Glencross, Russell), CHI (Kane, Hossa); Reto Berra made his first NHL start for the Flames, making 42 saves to lead Calgary past the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

-Minnesota Wild 4, New Jersey Devils 0: MIN (Granlund, Mitchell, Heatley, Pominville); Josh Harding made 19 saves to earn his 2nd shutout of the season, and “former Islander” Nino Niederreiter tallied 3 assists for his first multi-point game in the NHL.

-CT