New York Islanders Defeat the Devils 3-2

The New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils tonight by a score of 3-2 in a shootout. The victory moves the Isles to 21-10-0 on the season, their 21 wins is tied for the most in the NHL. This is how the game looked from section 304:

• I don’t care that Jaromir Jagr has been a thorn in the Isles’ side for as long as I can remember (and that isn’t hyperbole, folks), it is still a pleasure to watch the man play hockey. He’s literally the last of a generation, savor the opportunities you get to watch him play. Naturally, he notched assists on both Devil goals tonight.
• The Isles completely stole two points. They were not crisp and the decision making was very questionable for the majority of the night.
• The first period may have been the Isles sloppiest of the entire season. The Devils, to their credit, took advantage, jumping out a 2-0 lead going into the second period.
• However, the Devs organization only knows one way to play, which meant that from the start of second until the end of the game there was really only one team actively trying to win the game. the Devils were skating it out trying not to lose. That plan worked with Martin Brodeur between the pipes and Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski along the blue line, not so much with their current roster.
• Let me start with the gripes: Mikhail Grabovski, shoot.
• John Tavares, do something. Tavares’ night consisted of too many blind, low percentage passes, trying to make the prettiest play possible rather than making the right play and took an inexcusable penalty at the end of regulation. Not what you’re looking for from JT. You are the best player on this team, play like it. You are the captain of this team, act like it.
• Did Kyle Okposo suit up tonight?
• Brock Nelson and Anders Lee, tonight should have been a night where you flourished, but you came up small. Long Island native Keith Kinkaid manned the goal for the Devils, and despite playing well, left the Islanders with plenty of juicy rebounds to pounce on. Lee and Nelson are usually able to bury loose pucks around the net, but tonight they couldn’t find their way to the second chances left by Kinkaid.
• Now the praise: Josh Bailey deserved the number one star tonight and against Chicago. He has been terrific lately. It’s time for Islander Nation to get off his back.
• Thomas Hickey is playing the best hockey I’ve ever seen him play.
• This guy Jaroslav Halak is pretty damn good. Be thankful Isles fans that other teams never gave him a fair chance, the team is reaping the benefits now.
• A win is a win. Especially in the division.

Please let me know how you saw this one in comments. Banter is the best part of being a fan.