Snap Shots: New York Islanders @ Colorado Avalanche – 1/10/14 –THE SIX-GAME WINNING STREAK EDITION

Jan 7, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Kevin Poulin (60) prepares to make a save against the New York Islanders at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

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

Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

9:05 pm EST    

Islanders (2) – Avalanche (1) F/OT

SOG: 21-29 Avalanche

Starting Lineup

26 Thomas Vanek – 91 John Tavares –21 Kyle Okposo
29 Brock Nelson – 51 Frans Nielsen – 12 Josh Bailey 
40 Michael Grabner– 18 Ryan Strome — 15 Cal Clutterbuck
13 Colin McDonald – 53 Casey Cizikas– 17 Matt Martin

44 Calvin de Haan – 3 Travis Hamonic
47 Andrew MacDonald – 37 Brian Strait
14 Thomas Hickey – 46 Matt Donovan

60 Kevin Poulin

Notable Scratches: Evgeni Nabokov (IR)

Game Summary

First Period: The Avs with a bit more speed than the Islanders through the opening minutes, and on a partial breakaway draw a penalty, as Matt Duchene draws a Hooking penalty to avoid a possible scoring chance. But the Isles hold the Avs PP to just one SOG in their first man-advantage opportunity. After the kill, Isles picking up the pace a bit, but Colorado showing their skating prowess, with much fluidity through the neutral zone, and owning the better portion of momentum. Midway point finds the score tied at 0, but the skating and passing opportunities still favor Colorado. Isles have yet to create set plays through the NZ and inside Colorado turf. Poulin makes a flashy glove save from a Matt Duchene shot from the high near slot area at the 9:02 mark of the period. At the 7:00 mark, Avs called for Holding on John Tavares inside Colorado ice, a sign of Tavares strong forechecking. Isles with good movement and strong zone time, even if shots are missing from the point. As the period draws to a close the Islanders with a strong skating period, holding their own on on FO wins and SOG and, most importantly,  the scoreboard. Both teams 0-1 on the PP. SOG 7-9 Avalanche 

Point of Interest: Islanders with 5 Takes

Second Period: Avs open with a sure scoring chance in front our Pou-lan, but Tavares and de Haan clear it away. Colorado’s Sarich with a knee on knee with Kyle Okposo would be called for tripping sending the Isles on their second PP of the evening; nothing doing on this PP, as the Isles cannot square properly and challenge the Avs–3 SOG.  Michael Grabner along with McDonald break out on a 2-on-1 but the Avs recuperate in time and foil the opportunity, all before the 10:00 mark of the second. Isles with some sloppy NZ play, prohibiting them from entering Colorado’s zone with speed and precision. Michael Grabner is called for goalie interference late in the period, but upon further review, he was clearly shoved into the crease; Avs with their 2nd PP of the evening, 0-1 thus far. Nothing doing for Colorado on their man-advantage, as Isles withstood some nice flow to their offensive zone passing. Nathan MacKinnon beats out a flat-footed Matt Donovan on a 1-on-1 breakaway, putting the Avs up by 1 at the 18:15 mark. Islanders with very little set plays and even less honest shooting chances. SOG 9-13 Avalance

Point of Interest: Islanders with only 16 SOG through two periods.

Third Period: Through 5:00 Avs with the lead and the momentum, but a breakthrough play by Brock Nelson ties it up at 1; Nielsen with strong play inside the slot area to keep that play going. A 2-on-1 between Okposo and Tavares, with Tavares obviously hooked down, but no call made. The Islanders the better team since the tying goal, and Kevin Poulin with a wonderful save on a Cody McLeod opportunity out in front, all due to a defensive turnover from Ryan Strome. The final minutes of the period belong to the Islanders, with Tavares having some opportunities deep inside Colorado territory. The Isles pick up the point and force the game into overtime. SOG 5-7 Avalanche 

Point of Interest: Islanders not doing well on the FO: only 24 wins for the evening. Brock Nelson, however, continues racking up points. 

Overtime: MICHAEL GRABNER WINS IT! 

Statistics

Goals

1st Period

• None

2nd Period

• Nathan MacKinnon (15). Assists: Andre Benoit, Jamie McGinn. (18:15) 0-1 Colorado
  

3rd Period

• Brock Nelson (5). Assists: Calvin de Haan, Frans Nielsen. (4:28) 1-1

Overtime

• Michael Grabner (7). Assist: Brian Strait. 2-1 ISLANDERS

Penalties

1st Period

• Andrew MacDonald. Holding (3:44)
• Gabriel Landeskog. Hooking. (12:50)

2nd Period

• Cory Sarich. Tripping. (3:52)
• Michael Grabner. Goalie Interference. (14:01)

3rd Period

•  None

Turning Point

• Kevin Poulin‘s save on Cody McLeod due to a Ryan Strome turnover at the 11:00 mark of the 3rd.

What’s Ahead

The Islanders head to the Lone Star state  for a rematch against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.