Snap Shots : Nashville Predators Vs New York Islanders

Nov 2, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin (60) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the third period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders beat the Bruins 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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

Nashville Predators Vs New York Islanders

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York

Start Time:  7:08pm EST      End Time: 9:34pm EST

Announced attendance: 12,108

Starting Lineups

New York Islanders

Nelson-Tavares-Okposo
Bouchard-Neilsen-Bailey
Grabner-Regin-McDonald
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Hamonic-MacDonald
Hickey-Donovan
Ness-Carkner

Poulin

Nashville Predators

Hendrick-Cullen-Beck
Wilson-Spaling-Stalberg
Nystrom-Legwand-Hornqvist
Clune-Gaustad-Smith

Jones-Weber
Josi-Klein
Bartley-Ellis

Mazanec

Game Summary

The Islanders snapped their four game losing streak as they topped the Nashville Predators 3-1, moving them to 7-9-3 with 17 points. A complete team effort helped the Isles climb out of a fairly deep hole they dug themselves into.

The way the Islanders came out to start the game was surely a relief for Isles fans everywhere. They came out fast, strong, and with a sense of urgency in their game. It showed when the Predators took three penalties in the first period alone, not being able to keep up with the Isles fast paced game.

Frans Nielsen continued his strong season with a couple of assists. One coming from a great pass which found a wide open John Tavares in front of the net for a wrist shot that left Nashville goaltender Marek Mazanec frozen. Pierre-Marc Bouchard also got on the board with a quick wrist shot that snuck past Mazanec from a sharp angle. The third goal came from a great slap shot just outside the circle on a pass from Tavares. What looked like a puck that should have been shot by Tavares surprised everyone by finding the back of the net from Okposo instead.

The biggest factor in tonight’s game came from within the crease. Kevin Poulin was absolutely fantastic in net tonight. He was perfect in net until about 55 minutes into play. He allowed just 1 goal on 33 shots, finishing the game with a .970 SV%, continuing his case to become the Islanders number one goaltender.

Statistics

Islanders : 33 shots, 16 blocked, 17 missed shots = 66 attempts

Predators : 33 shots, 27 blocked, 8 missed shots = 68 attempts

Faceoffs : Predators 37, Islanders 22

Turning Point

At 15:30 into the first period, the Islanders were in the midst of their third power play of the period. Frans Nielsen fed a wide open John Tavares in front of the Predators net for the first goal of the game. After finally finding a resurgence in the power play in Montreal, the Islanders cashed in on the momentum they created early in the game and didn’t look back.

What’s Ahead

The Islanders take on the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday at the Nassau Coliseum. It has been mentioned, but Thomas Vanek may make his return to the lineup against the Kings. The Isles then conclude their three game home stand on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.