Snap Shots: Islanders Vs Canadiens — 12/14/13

Joe Camporeale-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) Vs Montreal Canadiens (19-11-3, 41pts)

Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY

7:00pm EST    

Islanders 0  – Canadiens 1 (OT)

Starting Lineup

26 Thomas Vanek – 91 John Tavares – 21 Kyle Okposo
40 Michael Grabner – 51 Frans Nielsen – 12 Josh Bailey
29 Brock Nelson – 18 Ryan Strome – 15 Cal Clutterbuck
36 Eric Boulton – 16 Peter Regin – 17 Matt Martin

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

20 Evgeni Nabokov
60 Kevin Poulin

Notable Scratches: Casey Cizikas (Jaw)

Game Summary

First Period: Nabokov made his return between the pipes for the Isles. An early scrap between Eric Boulton and George Parros. The Isles took the first shot on goal of the game then didn’t manage another for over eight minutes, but they finished strong. Nabokov made several nice saves while Carey Price looked shaky more than once, but the period ended scoreless. Travis Hamonic led all Isles skaters with 7:58 of ice time. SOG NYI  9 MTL 11.

Second Period: The teams exchanged power plays in the early portion of the second, to no avail. Neither team seemed able to get much going in terms of offense. Another power play each yielded no goals, and the teams skated to a scoreless tie through two. SOG NYI 7 MTL 6

Third Period: A scary hit on John Tavares by Lars Eller less than two minutes in led to an Islander power play, but they failed to capitalize. Cal Clutterbuck was denied on a nice scoring chance a few minutes later, then Thomas Vanek was robbed in close, as the Isles continued to swarm. Another good chance, this one by Tavares, near the halfway mark. A strong defensive play by Brock Nelson to break up some Montreal pressure further showcased the Isles’ dominance of the third frame.  A great save by Nabokov on Tomas Plekanec around the seven minute mark. A bit of Montreal pressure in the final minutes came to nothing, and the teams headed to overtime. SOG NYI 5 MTL 6

Overtime: The Isles came out strong in the extra frame, only to drop their guard; some sloppy play led to Montreal taking control and a goal by Max Pacioretty put this one away just under two minutes in. SOG NYI 0 MTL 2

Statistics

Goals

1st Period

None

2nd Period

None

3rd Period

None

Overtime

01:51 MTL Max Pacioretty (12) Tip-in – ASST: David Desharnais (8) 1-0 MTL

Penalties

1st Period

02:01 MTL  George Parros Fighting – 5 mins against Eric Boulton

02:01 NYI  Eric Boulton Fighting – 5 mins against George Parros

12:54 NYI  Eric Boulton Roughing – 2 mins against P.K. Subban

12:54 MTL  P.K. Subban Roughing – 2 mins against Eric Boulton
2nd Period

00:27 NYI Josh Bailey High Sticking – 2 mins against Tomas Plekanec

03:11 MTL Michael Bournival Tripping – 2 mins against Peter Regin

10:50 NYI John Tavares Holding the Stick – 2 mins against Andrei Markov

16:11 MTL Josh Gorges Delay of Game – 2 mins Puck Over Glass

3rd Period

01:41 MTL Lars Eller Illegal Check to Head – 2 mins against John Tavares

Shots On Goal

Isles 21 – Canadiens 25

Turning Point

Nabokov played his heart out through 62 minutes, and the entire team played a strong game through 60 – one of their best outings of the season – but failure to cover the front of the net and an unfortunate turnover left Pacioretty alone long enough to score the overtime winner.

What’s Ahead

Three games for the Isles over the next seven days, starting with their first matchup of the season against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday at home. A visit to Manhattan on Thursday, then back home to face the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.