Snap Shots: New York Islanders @ San Jose Sharks–12/10/13

Dec 10, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center

(48) watches as San Jose Sharks right wing

(88) tries to score against New York Islanders goalie

(60) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Snap Shots, our condensed post-game recap of the New York Islanders latest NHL matchup

New York Islanders (8-18-5, 21pts) @  San Jose Sharks  (19-5-5 43pts)

SAP Center aka The Tank

10:30 pm EST     

Islanders (3) – Sharks (2) F/SHO

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Starting Lineup

26 Thomas Vanek – 91 John Tavares – 21 Kyle Okposo
12 Josh Bailey – 29 Brock Nelson – 13 Colin McDonald 
40 Michael Grabner — 51 Frans Nielsen– 15 Cal Clutterbuck
36 Eric Boulton – 53  Casey Cizikas – 17 Matt Martin

44 Calvin de Haan– 3 Travis Hamonic
14 Thomas Hickey – 47 Andrew MacDonald
55 Aaron Ness –  7 Matt Carkner

60 Kevin Poulin
45 Anders Nilsson

*Noticeable alterations to lineup: Ryan Strome to join Isles lineup at Phoenix. Your prayers have been answered #IslesTwitter.

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Game Summary

• Period one: San Jose owned most of the offensive rushes, and, thus, the momentum early on. Most of the Islander scoring chances were relegated to the perimeter, and little zone presence for the most part, not to mention their inability to weave cleanly through the neutral zone. Eric Boulton‘s clearing attempt sails over the glass and he lands in the box, forcing the Isles into the PK rather early in the contest; and as that penalty was about to end, Hamonic repeats the offense and lands in the box, as well.  The Islanders defensive zone coverage looked overwhelmed keeping San Jose at bay, but their ability to push them to the perimeter prevents their opponent from setting up–so there’s that.  Kevin Poulin played strong in net, withstanding an absolute barrage of shots, thwarting an Isles’ annihilation early in the game. Travis Hamonic takes a necessary penalty to prevent a San Jose odd-man rush, and the Isles go on the PK for the third time in this period. The Isles kill off all three penalties, as Poulin played his heart out during this 20:00 segment. SOG 18-3

Interesting fact: The Islanders gave up 18 SOG, and the Sharks with 11 scoring attempts, but the score at the end of the period 0-0. Kevin Poulin is playing the very best hockey of his career at the present moment.

• Period two: More relentless forechecking by the Sharks early on, and Poulin continues standing his ground. Matt Carkner takes a retaliatory and equally stupid penalty at the 5:16 mark, and with continued pressure, the Sharks break through and score on the Power Play. Tommy Wingels gets called for Holding Colin McDonald, but the Isles first PP attempt registers zero SOG. The last 8:00 of play saw the Isles take back some of the momentum, working the greasy areas rather well, but yet another defensive miscue by Carkner proves costly as the Sharks Pavelski buries one from the high left slot area. The Islanders had the better skating legs as the period winded down, but the Sharks’ defensive core did a solid job of blocking shots and choking the slot areas, not to mention suppressing neutral zone play. Some nifty moves by John Tavares to feed a rushing Kyle Okposo was for naught, and Thomas Vanek missed on two separate wide-open scoring chances. The woes continue. SOG even at 11

Interesting fact: Isles and Sharks even on FO with 17; Sharks with 13 takes; both teams even with gives at 12

• Period three: For the first time in ages, the New York Islanders start a period with both tenacity and accuracy, as a John Tavares rush toward the net, leads to a scramble in front of the Sharks net, and Thomas Vanek shovels the loose puck into the net for the Isles first goal of the evening; Isles held to 17 SOG through two periods. 10:00 of play and the Islanders own the entire momentum at this juncture, and the Sharks call a timeout to catch their breath. This period demonstrated the Isles best road hockey this season, as the Isles were relentless on the forecheck, and the Tavares line racking up the minutes during this 20:00 block. Capuano calls a timeout. Kevin Poulin is pulled. The Isles win the draw inside the offensive zone. Kyle Okposo wrists a shot passed everyone in the area, and the Isles tie it up. The 10-game losing streak ends, as the Isles get one point at the most. SOG 15-10 Sharks

Interesting fact: The Isles were outshot 45-24.

• Overtime: Isles continue the hustle but no goals after some keen scoring chances by Tavares, Thomas Hickey, and Kyle Okposo.

SHOOTOUT RESULTS

1. Pavelski stopped; left pad
2. Vanek scores; right top shelf
3. Couture scores; left top shelf
4. Nielsen stopped; five-hole
5. Boyle stopped; glove
6. Hertl misses; being cute cost him
7. KYLE OKPOSO WINS IT!

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Goals

Period 1

• No scoring

Period 2

• Patrick Marleau (14) PPG. (5:26). Assists: Dan Boyle, Logan Couture. 0-1 Sharks
• Joe Pavelski (10)  (15:22) Assists: Dan Boyle, Patrick Marleau. 0-2 Sharks

Period 3

• Thomas Vanek (10). (:51). Assists: Kyle Okposo, John Tavares. 1-2 Sharks
• Kyle Okposo (9). (18:23). Assist: John Tavares. 2-2 

Overtime 

• No goals

Shootout

• Kyle Okposo wins it for the Islanders.

Penalties

• Period 1:  Eric Boulton. Delay of Game. (7:23); Travis Hamonic. Delay of Game. (9:15); Travis Hamonic. Hooking. (17:32)
  
• Period 2: Matt Carkner. Roughing. (5:16); Tommy Wingels. Holding. (8:34)
• Period 3: None
  

SOG

• 45-24 San Jose Sharks

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Turning Point

• The Kyle Okposo tying goal with a minute and change left to the game.

What’s Ahead

• The Phoenix Coyotes this Thursday, a team the Isles man-handled back when relevancy was something of a thing in Uniondale.
• Oh, and some kid named Ryan Strome is joining the club.