Green sparks Caps past Islanders

October 25, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Yesterday, we spent the day over our buddy Harry’s in rainy Point Pleasant. Well, it sure poured and was quite the trip back to John’s. Anyway, we watched a lot of college football and a little puck as well catching most of the Ranger stinker to Les Habitants. Of course, it was a typical busy Saturday filled with plenty of other games with all four Battle clubs in action.

That included the Islanders, who dropped a tough one to the Capitals 3-2 in overtime at The Coliseum. Rather than do a complete recap, we’re going to include the game highlights and comment.

From the looks of it, it looked like the Islanders played a good game against one of the East’s best. They got the first two goals off the sticks of Radek Martinek (shorthanded) and Jeff Tambellini (great deflection). Both plays were well executed. The Martinek SHG was nice work started by Sean Bergenheim, who then dished across to Frans Nielsen, who dropped it for a perfect one-time blast past Jose Theodore. Textbook stuff. Gotta say Nielsen makes things happen. He had a nice first season last year and is underrated.

Leading by one, the Isles could’ve gotten more but for some quality stops from Theodore, who had a very good game making 28 altogether. That included a few nice ones from in tight on John Tavares and Matt Moulson off great setups. It’s amazing how good Moulson is for a guy who hardly played in LA. He has great chemistry with JT91, who had chances even though he was kept off the score sheet. What a great addition Moulson’s been. Now, if only Kyle Okposo could start popping a few. I’m a little selfish too because I need it for my fantasy team which is off to a decent start. But hey. Okposo must finish to help the Isles in the standings!

The Caps’ best chances in the second came on a power play but both Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom missed the net. The Islanders increased the lead to two with under 17 minutes left in regulation thanks to a great Tambellini redirect of a Blake Comeau shot. Excellent response considering that Theodore had just robbed them before his mask came off halting play. They won the faceoff and Andy Sutton worked it to Comeau, who released and Tambellini did the rest for his first. A nice sign as that’s what must happen for him to stay in the lineup.

Unfortunately, the Isles’ third period troubles of holding leads continued. It only took the Caps 2:18 to break Dwayne Roloson’s shutout bid courtesy of a Green laser off some brilliant passing from teammates Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. Okposo had two opportunities in front to restore order but Theodore stood tall gloving the second out of harm’s way.

That cameback to bite them with Alexander Ovechkin helping set up Keith Aucoin’s tying marker with 6:52 remaining. On the play, too many Isles went to The Great 8, who dished off to the trailing Aucoin. He then went around the net and banked in a wraparound off Josh Bailey evening it. Jeff Schultz drew the other assist. It’s never surprising to pay so much attention to the game’s best player. You’d rather make someone else beat ya. That’s what the Islanders were guilty of. Something Billy Jaffe referenced on MSG-Plus.

The game went to OT but it didn’t last long with Green doing his best Paul Coffey/Brian Leetch impersonation by taking the puck from behind his own goal and lugging it up before dishing across for a perfect Laich deflection that gave the Caps a 3-2 comeback win. Speaking of Coffey, Jaffe made the comparison saying he’s the righthanded version:

“This is the Paul Coffey of this modern era in the National Hockey League. And he makes it look so easy.“

A pretty good observation in our book. Though we doubt he’ll ever attain some of Coffey’s single season figures that included a record 48 goals by a defenseman and 138 points in 1985-86 on Edmonton. Let’s put it this way. If Green ever hits triple digits, that’ll be quite the accomplishment. Though he did put up 31 goals and 73 points in 66 games last season, finishing runner-up to Zdeno Chara for the Norris. And at just 24, he’ll only get better. Scary to think the Caps stole him in 2004 late in the first round 29th overall. He’s gotten off to a slow start with eight points (2-6-8) but figure that to change if last night’s any indication.

In defeat, Roloson made 21 saves with none really his fault. But you could make an argument that he needed to be in better position for Aucoin’s wraparound. The Islanders (1-4-4, 6 Pts) are back at it tomorrow when they look to avenge an ugly 5-1 loss to the Habs. In one of those ridiculous oddities, they travel back to Montreal again after flying home for last night’s game. Can anyone explain this? Maybe we should get Inspector Gadget on it!

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Radek Martinek, (SHG, SOG, +1 in 24:56)

2nd Star-Jose Theodore, (28 saves incl.15/16 in 3rd)

1st Star-Mike Green, (goal, assist, 3 SOG, +1 in 26:08)