Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Snap Shots: New York Islanders @ Phoenix Coyotes – 12/12/13

By Rich Dias-Rodrigues

facebooktwitterreddit

Dec 12, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Islanders goalie

Kevin Poulin

(60) blocks the puck against Phoenix Coyotes in the first period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

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

New York Islanders (9-19-5, 23pts) @  Phoenix Coyotes (18-8-5 41pts)

Jobing.com Arena

9:00 pm EST     

Islanders (3) – Coyotes (6)

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Starting Lineup

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

47 Andrew MacDonald – 14 Thomas Hickey
3 Travis Hamonic – 44 Calvin de Haan
55 Aaron Ness – 37 Brian Strait

60 Kevin Poulin
20 Evgeni Nabokov

*Noticeable alterations to lineup: Ryan Strome officially joins team in Glendale

Scratches: Peter Regin

———————————————————————————————————————————-

Game Summary

  • Period one: First 5:00 bore witness to a determined Isles’s forecheck, successful in keeping Phoenix hemmed deep inside their own zone; line changes are quick and responsibly done. But within this same time frame, Brian Strait is called for a penalty and the Isles find themselves down a man early. The first tour of duty for the Islanders’ PK is a successful, as they continue to clogging up the passing lanes, and opening up the ice for Kevin Poulin to defend against point shots. Through 10:00 the Isles are the better skating and passing team overall, and owning the momentum; Kevin Poulin picking up where he left off in San Jose, making key saves, one especially a result of an Andrew MacDonald turnover deep inside his own zone. One point of concern is turnovers and sloppy defensive breakouts for the Isles, something coach Thompson needs to address during periods. And as the period winds down, a ‘Yotes defensive miscues in their own zone, kept in deep and cycled by Martin and Bailey, is fed to MacDonald who sends a wrister toward Phoenix net, and an astute Eric Boulton deflects in for the Isles first of the evening. Thomas Vanek goes to the penalty box for slashing, and early in the PP, Kevin Poulin robs Mike Ribeiro once more, again, while close in on the Isles net. But with some more determination, the ‘Yotes break through, as Yandle ricochets a point shot off of Martin and going behind Poulin for their first of the evening while on the PP.  Momentum tapers out, as the Islanders turnovers and sloppy defensive zone play allowed the ‘Yotes to up their forechecking chances. SOG 17-6 Coyotes

Interesting fact: The Coyotes get 9 SOG during their two PP opportunities; FO wins even at 8

  • Period two: Casey Cizikas is forced to leave the game after receiving a high-stick (not called) to the jaw; the incident occurring late in the first. Coyotes open the period with the better forecheck, as Klinkhammer converts on a Isles defensive blueline miscue, and Aaron Ness accidentally taps it in for Phoenix attempting to protect the crease. Not too long after, the wheels fall off as Andrew MacDonald, Thomas Hickey, and Kyle Okposo hover around their net without so much as shoving an opposing play, and no one can get to the loose puck; Yotes up by 2. Mike Ribeiro finally cracks the Poulin code, as he and the ‘Yotes swarm the Isles own zone, and Poulin misses a pokecheck and a awaiting Ribeiro in the high slot buries it for Phoenix’s 4th.  The Islanders are completely flat and stale at present, as Cizikas’s absence ways heavily on them. John Tavares brings the Isles within 2, as a hard-working Thomas Vanek and an erroneous pokecheck by Michalek gives the Isles some life. Not too long after, Brian Strait sends a howitzer Kyle Okposo‘s his way and the Isles bridge the gap, down only by one goal. The Coyotes called for a penalty just minutes later. Isles go on a 4-on-4 for the last 2:00+ of the period.  Calvin de Haan with a giveaway in his own zone and Ribeiro makes him pay; Isles back up too much and a costly goal ensues. A period that started poorly ended poorly for the Isles.  SOG 11-10 Islanders

Interesting fact: Gives and takes even at 3; but de Haan give the costly of the three.

  • Period three: The Islanders with some better forechecking to start the period, even drawing a penalty early on, all to no avail, however. Isles with some let up on defense once again, allowing for more ‘Yotes odd-man rushes that force Poulin to make extra saves.  Isles on the PK again, as Thomas Hickey high-sticks Ribeiro; the ‘Yotes forward does a wonderful job of selling the call.  Josh Bailey draws a Holding penalty but the Isles cannot convert with the man-advantage, and the time needed to tie it up dwindles. But the Yotes bury the game, as a neutral zone mistake by Travis Hamonic becomes a 2-on-1 with Klinkhammer leading, and Phoenix is up by 3. The Isles let this game get away from them. Isles scored most of the goals in this game (for and against) and their giveaways were too many for any team with which to deal. SOG  Even at 7

Interesting fact: FO wins 31-22 Islanders

———————————————————————————————————————————–

Goals

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Penalties

  • Period 1:  Brian Strait. Tripping. (4:26); Thomas Vanek. Slashing. (13:25)
  • Period 2: Martin Hanzal. Tripping. (13:18); Michael Grabner & Michael Stone. Roughing. (17:27)
  • Period 3: Oliver Erkman-Larsson. High-Sticking. (3:43); Thomas Hickey. High-Sticking. (9:58); Michael Stone. Holding. (11:20)

SOG

  • 36-24 Coyotes

———————————————————————————————————————————–

Turning Point

  • The Mikkel Boedker goal late in the 2nd that stole the momentum from the Isles and gave back a 2-notch lead for the ‘Yotes.

What’s Ahead

  • The Montreal Canadiens and Ryan Strome’s first NHL start in front of a live studio audience.
Home/NY Islanders News