Tavares, Isles fall to Devils before disappointing crowd

September 24, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Last night was John Tavares’ home debut on the Island. Well, at least exhibition that is. Apparently, someone forgot to tell people because there weren’t many who came out to see the first overall pick who tallied an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Devils at Nassau Coliseum.

Troubling might be a word to explain the announced 8,256. Puzzling would be another for a troubled franchise that needs a new arena to survive on Long Island. Owner Charles Wang hopes the Lighthouse Project will go through. Until it does, turnouts like last night won’t help the cause. What does it say that the game in Kansas City outdrew the first preseason one in their dated home arena? Of course, one could point out that they basically gave tickets away for the game against the Kings in which Tavares didn’t play.

However, that wasn’t the case yesterday with No.91 suiting up in Islander blue and bright orange for the first time in his new home. The recently turned 19 year-old center assisted on Matt Moulson’s power play tally that tied it at two early in the third. He played over 20 minutes registering a shot while finishing minus-two.

“I tried to focus on just playing the game, but it was awesome,” the pleased rookie said of getting a nice reception during his first shift. “To get a response like that was pretty special.”

He showed flashes of what made him the OHL’s record holder in goals. Especially in an active second that saw him create chances with his tremendous skill including a nice dipsy do around Devil defenseman Rob Davison, nearly finishing it off but missing just wide on ex-Islander goalie Yann Danis.

“It’s night and day different from the first game,” Islanders coach Scott Gordon said of his student’s third exhibition game. “He made some nice plays offensively. His decision-making was probably the best that I’ve seen in three games.”

While Tavares showed some flash, he also struggled defensively with some poor choices in his end leading to dangerous turnovers. So, there’s still plenty of work to be done for the former Oshawa/London star.

For the Devils who are used to being overshadowed, it was finally back to business after a week layoff since a shootout home win over the Rangers. There were some positives for Jacques Lemaire’s club who got nice contributions from kids trying to make the club including a goal and a helper from former 2005 first round pick Nicklas Bergfors. The 22 year-old right wing had a second straight nice performance following an assist last week with a primary on captain Jamie Langenbrunner’s power play tally and an empty netter sealing it.

“I was obviously a little rusty … but it was good to get back out there,” Langenbrunner said.

Bergfors wasn’t the only young gun to shine with 21 year-old Russian Vladimir Zharkov rebounding home a Brian Rolston point blast for a power play goal that gave the Devs a 1-0 lead. But the Islanders came back thanks to a backhand stuff from reliable vet Richard Park, who beat Rod Pelley and Johnny Oduya to the spot.

An undisciplined interference minor on vet Brendan Witt put the hosts behind again when Bergfors took a drop pass from Rolston and moved in firing a shot that worked as a pass to Langenbrunner who buried it. Bergfors fanned completely but it worked out for the visitors who went 2-for-4 on the man-advantage.

Early in the third, Tavares gave those who came something to cheer about when he setup Moulson for a PPG tying it once more. But Martin Biron gave up a second bad goal when he allowed a rebound of a Cory Murphy shot right to Olivier Magnan-grenier who put it home. That stood up with Murphy forcing a turnover to setup Bergfors’ empty netter.

Murphy, who is trying to make the Devils on the blueline finished with a goal and an assist helping his cause. He appears to be competing against Andy Greene, who was the Devils’ extra last year. The vet’s presence on the PP might give him a leg up meaning Lou Lamoriello took a good gamble inking the former Lightning to a two-way deal.

Danis made 20 stops versus his former team while Biron finished with 27 saves in defeat.

Other highlights from last night included three scraps including Magnan-grenier defending Andrew Peters following a clean shoulder hit from Mark Streit in the first. Magnan-grenier and Streit who hardly fights didn’t go long which was a good thing because the last thing the Islanders need is to lose one of their best players due to an unknown kid trying to make an impression.

It was disturbing to say the least exposing the Isles’ lack of a legit heavyweight in a tough division that includes Donald Brashear, Eric Godard, Mike Rupp, Riley Cote, Daniel Carcillo, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and David Clarkson. The Islanders’ best is probably Nate Thompson which might not be enough to protect Tavares, Josh Bailey and concussed Kyle Okposo. Kids like Michael Haley shouldn’t have to do their bidding in such meaningless contests which take on a whole different kind when others try to take out some of their best.

Also taking part was first round pick defenseman Calvin de Haan, who looked decent in 18-plus showing some of the potential that made Garth Snow move up twice to get him. We like what we saw from the kid who likely will get sent back to Juniors. But given what the Islanders have on the blueline, why? Almost as disturbing as how quiet the fans that showed were.

The Isles finish the preseason at New Jersey next Tuesday. The Devils meanwhile are back at it tonight in Philly with the Flyers visiting The Rock this weekend. The Rangers host the Capitals tonight.