Isles Fall Out Of First Place; Grabner Catches Fire

Game 21, November 27, 2012, Islanders vs. Canucks

The Islanders hosted last season’s Presidents Trophy winners, the Vancouver Canucks and saw first hand why they are competing for that trophy again this year, losing convincingly at home 4-1.

John Tavares got the Islanders on the board first with his eighth goal of the season, getting assists from Andrew MacDonald and Michael Grabner, in the first period.

That was it for the Islanders as the Canucks scored the games next four goals, three in the second period.  David Booth and Alexandre Burrows led the offense for Canucks with a goal and assist each.  Cory Schneider who started in place of Roberto Luongo made most of his start saving 24 out of the 25 shots he faced. (Photo Credit: AP)

With the loss the Islanders still stay on top of the Atlantic Division with 25 points, but their record falls to 12-8-1. With the impressive victory the Canucks find themselves only one point behind the Red Wings for the best record in the NHL. The Canucks are now 15-6-1 for 31 points.

Three Stars of the Game

1.     Cory Schneider 24 saves

2.     David Booth 1 g, 1 a, 2 p

3.     Alexandre Burrows 1 g, 1 a, 2 p

Game 22, November 29, 2012, Islanders vs. Flyers

Despite a hard fought third period the comeback fell short as the Islanders fall to the Flyers at home 4-3.

After Wayne Simmonds scored in the first 30 seconds of the game, the Islanders dominated the first period scoring twice, one by Brad Boyes and another by Michael Grabner, to take the 2-1 lead into the locker rooms.

Scott Hartnell took over the game in the second period scoring a natural hat trick in 15 minutes to give the Flyers the 4-2 lead.

The Islanders fought hard in the third period but only managed to score one goal from Grabner his second of the game, on 12 shots in the period. With his second goal of the game, Grabner who started off the season slow has been on a tear getting points in his last four games. (Photo Credit: AP)

With the loss the Islanders have now lost two games in a row and can’t seem to hold onto a lead as they fall to 12-9-1. With the win the Flyers move within one point of the Islanders in the standings at 11-9-2.

Three Stars of the Game

1.     Scott Hartnell 3 g, 0 a, 3 p

2.     Wayne Simmonds 1 g, 0 a, 1 p

3.     Michael Grabner 2 g, 0 a, 2 p

Game 23, December 1, 2012, Islanders vs. Coyotes

After playing two games in four nights, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano gave Rick DiPietro the start in net against the Coyotes and for his second start in a row, DiPietro didn’t disappoint leading the Islanders to a 3-2 victory.

The Coyotes got on board first, as their captain Shane Doan gave them an early 1-0 lead.  A few minutes later it was Michael Grabner, again scoring his seventh goal of the season and third in the last three games, who tied the game up going into the second period. (Photo Credit: AP)

Again the Coyotes scored first in the period, this time in the first minute as Martin Hazal beat DiPietro, for his fourth goal of the season.  That was all the Coyotes would get for the rest of the game as Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes both scored in the second period to give the Islanders the 3-2 lead, which they would hold on to for the rest of the game.

With this victory, DiPietro improves his record to 6-3 and the Islanders improve to 13-9-1 and with the loss the Coyotes fall to 10-10-1.

Three Stars of the Game

1.     Brad Boyes 1 g, 1 a, 2 p

2.     Matt Moulson, 1 g, 1 a, 2 p

3.     Martin Hanzal 1 g, 0 a, 1 p 

Game 24, December 2, 2012, Islanders @ Rangers

In the second meeting between these hated in-state rivals, the results stayed the same as their first meeting as the Islanders lose to the Rangers at the Garden 3-2.

The Rangers got on the board early scoring two goals in the first period to give themselves a comfortable lead. (Photo Credit: AP)

The second period was scoreless as the Islanders had 12 shots while failing to sneak one past Henrik Lundqvist.

David Ullstrom was finally able to beat Lundqvist to give the Islanders a glimmer of hope, pulling them to within one at 2-1.  That only lasted a few minutes as Marian Gaborik crushed the Islanders hopes scoring his 12th goal of the season extending the Rangers lead to two at 3-1.

Brad Boyes scored his 16^th goal of the season with under a minute left in the game, but time wasn’t on the Islanders side.

With the loss the Islanders fall out of first place in the Atlantic Division and with the win the Rangers jump the Islanders into first place in the division.  The Islanders are now 13-10-1 and the Rangers improve to 13-8-2.

Three Stars of the Game

1.     Henrik Lundqvist 32 saves

2.     Rick Nash 0 g, 2 a, 2 p

3.     Marian Gaborik 1, g 0 a, 1 p

Farm Report

The Sound Tigers continue to struggle this season losing to both the Hersey Bears and the Worcester Sharks before beating the Norfolk Admirals to salvage the week.  Up next for them are the Connecticut Whale and the Albany Devils, the Sound Tigers are 6-11-3 on the season.

Up Next For The Islanders

The Islanders look to get back on track with a home game against the Washington Capitals and then a home and home series against divison foe Flyers.

Team Standings

Eastern Conference Top 8 Seeds

Western Conference Top 8 Seeds

Islanders Leaders 

NHL LEADERS

If you have questions about the season, maybe about an Islanders player I haven’t wrote about feel free to tweet at me @PetePaguaga or if you have any questions about a player on another team.