Snap Shots: Islanders @ Stars 1/12/14

Jan 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) comes off the ice after assisting on New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (not pictured) goal against Dallas Stars goalie Dan Ellis (not pictured) during the second period at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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

New York Islanders (17-22-7, 41 pts) @ Dallas Stars (20-17-7, 47 pts)

American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

6:00 PM EST

Islanders (4) – Stars (2)

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

Period One: The opening period was heavily dominated by the Dallas Stars. They established themselves quickly with a partial break-away just 8 seconds into the game, which was stopped by Kevin Poulin. Poulin looked very good early in the first period, making several big saves. However, he couldn’t carry the team all game, and Ray Whitney scored the first goal of the game 11:45 into the period. Kevin Poulin was too far back in his net on this goal, and he was beat because of it. The Islanders only looked worse after that, and Sergei Gonchar scored 18:12 into the period, capitalizing on a Brock Nelson turnover to give Dallas a 2-0 lead.

Period Two: The middle frame took off right where the first period left off, as New York’s sloppy play allowed the Stars to generate some nice chances, as they hit two posts in the first minute of play. However, the Islanders solidified themselves after a shaky beginning, and they managed to get on the scoreboard as Kyle Okposo scored his 18th goal of the season off two beautiful assists from fellow line-mates John Tavares and Thomas Vanek with 9:17 remaining in the period. The Islanders generated some quality scoring chances after Okposo’s goal, and nearly tied the game up, as John Tavares was slashed with a gaping net in front of him, but couldn’t capitalize.

Period Three: This is where the fun begins. The Islanders entered the final period of play down a goal, and they knew they had to come out firing if they wanted to salvage a victory. The team did just that, as the Orange and Blue generated some nice offensive chances, but could not capitalize. This continued, until Kyle Okposo fired a rocket for the equalizer 15:44 into the 3rd period  for his 2nd goal of the game, and his 19th of the season. The Islanders now had what they wanted, momentum. The offense didn’t ease up, and 18:36 into the final period, with the game winding down, John Tavares scored what proved to be the game winning goal off an amazing pass from rookie defenseman Calvin de Haan to give the Isles a 3-2 lead. Brock Nelson put the dagger in the heart, as he scored an empty net goal with less than a minute left, his 3rd goal in 4 games. The Islanders won their fourth straight game by a score of 4-2.

Statistics

1ST PERIOD

11:45 DAL Ray Whitney (5) Snap shot – ASST: Alex Chiasson (15), Vernon Fiddler (7) 1 -0 DAL 

18:12 DAL Sergei Gonchar (1) Wrist shot – ASST: NONE 2 -0 DAL

2ND PERIOD

10:47 NYI Kyle Okposo (18) Wrist shot – ASST: Thomas Vanek (23), John Tavares (35) 2 – 1 DAL

3RD PERIOD

15:44 NYI Kyle Okposo (19) Wrist shot – ASST: Calvin de Haan (4) 2 – 2 Tie

18:36 NYI John Tavares (21) Wrist shot – ASST: Calvin de Haan (5), Thomas Vanek (24) 3 – 2 NYI

19:08 NYI EN – Brock Nelson (6) Wrist shot – ASST: Josh Bailey (11) 4 – 2 NYI

Penalties

Turning Point

After Kyle Okposo ties the game at 2, captain John Tavares nets the game winning goal 18:36 into the final period

What’s Ahead

The winners of four straight travel to the Sunshine State to take on the Florida Panthers this Tuesday.