There were highlights up and down the Islanders’ lineup in their 5-2 win at New Jersey that put them in a first-place tie in the Atlantic Division and made tonight’s match with Southeast-leading Atlanta such a big game. But two that stuck out came from opposite ends of the pecking order – captain Alexei Yashin and fourth-line hustler Arron Asham.
Yashin is uncomfortable with the focus on his past shortcomings as a leader, but he knows Ted Nolan’s main job is to support and motivate him and he has responded in a big way with 16 points in 12 games, including 11 assists, and a team-high 59 shots on goal. He’s been making seeing-eye passes all season but none better or more unselfish than the two that led to goals by Viktor Kozlov and Jason Blake.
After the game, Yashin shrugged off those two plays as the only sensible reaction to Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, whose focus was on the Isles’ center. “On Kozlov’s goal, Brodeur was ready for me to shoot, and that’s the only way to beat a great goaltender like Marty,” Yashin said.
On the final goal of the game, Blake gave the puck up to Mike Sillinger on the power play never expecting to see it back. Sillinger moved it to Yashin, who looked to have an open shot left of the crease. He easily could have pulled the trigger, but Yashin slid it through the slot to Blake at the right post for the redirection.
“Marty committed 100 percent to me,” Yashin said. “You have to move the goalie side to side.”
Blake said he was “as surprised as anyone on that pass. I gave it to Sillinger, and after that, I looked at the goaltender. Then, I looked down, and the puck was a foot from my stick.”
Yashin is making the right plays and saying the right things, too, in the dressing room. He’s happy with the solid start but said the most important thing now that the Islanders are in position to become a playoff contender is to maintain focus and keep moving forward in the long season.
As for Asham, he’s been getting the least ice time of all the forwards despite an excellent training-camp performance when Nolan called upon him to improve his conditioning. But in the Islanders’ 3-0 loss to Buffalo, the only game in their past 10 where they failed to get a point, Asham packed three hits into his 5:51 and busted tail every second on the ice. After Asham had another good game against Florida, Nolan rewarded the fourth line, including Chris Simon and Andy Hilbert, with a start against Chicago and said anybody slacking on the other lines should watch out because “Arron is coming.”
So, it was no surprise when Asham set the tone 2:47 into the game against the Devils by grabbing a fistful of tough-guy Cam Janssen's jersey and ripping right hands to Janssen’s face, knocking his helmet off early in the bout. Asham looked as if he might have had some experience as a bouncer the way he kept his left arm straight and used his reach to hold Janssen off before delivering flurries of right hands.
There aren’t many real fights these days because of the damage it can do in terms of giving up power plays with plenty of good shots in the all-holds barred NHL. But this one was perfect because it got the blood boiling on the road and left both teams at even strength. In training camp, I asked Asham about the brief time he spent playing with Yashin last season, and he smiled and shook his head as if to say he wasn’t holding his breath for another chance on a top line.
“I know what my role is,” Asham said.
He performed it well against the Devils, just as Yashin played the part of captain the right way. If Nolan can get everyone on the roster to concentrate on playing their roles, big and small, maybe this good start keeps going.
Comments (11)
Ah, nice post... keep them coming. I couldn't agree more about Asham. He knows his role and executed it perfectly the other night... setting the tone for the game.
Another good blog, Greg...I think Yash has always wanted the speedy Blake on his wing(similar to McEachern)...He has played with Kozlov plenty in Russia as well...I think Yash is very comfortable with both linemates and that is really shwoing...
Asham also has a nice shot and should shoot the puck more...He can contribute in a lot of ways...Seems like a Nolan-type of player...
Big game tonight against Atlanta...Hopefully the Isles continue their play of late...
DIPIETRO LOST GAME VS ATLANTA.
His overzealous puck handling cost the team a 4-1 LOSS. This is a MAJOR issue. STAY IN THE NET RICO, YOU ARE A FRIGGIN GOALIE, NOT A D-MAN.
Mike T. I agree with you regarding DiPietro. He continually puts himself in bad position by overhandling the puck. He's better served by picking his spots.
My real problem with him is that he is continually flopping around, as evidenced by the first goal he gave up. What is he doing on his stomach? His goals against is over 3 and his save percentage is less than 90% so for him to say that he is bound to have one bad game, that's not accurate. In this young season he's had least four bad games. Like all Isles fans I want to see him do well, but come on play the puck less, get into better position and make the routine save, cut out all these soft goals.
That said, can we please see some more of Dunham.
This Just in....
Garth Snow fired as GM and replaced with Andy Hilbert..
Get used to DP. DiPietro's game IS coming out of net, playing the puck, and was a big reason why he was drafted number 1. Unfortunately, a large slice of his effectiveness has been taken away when the rules were changed to prohibit goalies from handling pucks outside the trapezoid. Indeed, this makes the 15-year contract even more troublesome. It's just a shame he tuned in a clunker when the building was alive and honestly filled with close to 13,000 people.
Turning back to Yashin, it's still early, but I agree that this is the best I've ever seen him play. On one shift last night I saw him create three giveaways--one in the D end, one in the neutral zone, and one on offense that added t a 30 second push. I still would have bought him out in the off-season, but he has given me no reason to be upset with his play this year.
As for one person who asked about goalies being "serviced" in the tunnel, I won't name names--but it is longstanding legend (and never contested to be untrue)--that a visiting goalie that could not fit on the bench had some work done on them inside the visitors tunnel during a game. Don't ask me about the padding!
DiP needs to compete with Dunham for ice time now. I don't care about his 15 year deal. He needs to learn the hard way. His comments in newsday today were ridiculous. I hope Coach Nolan starts treating ricky like a grown-up.
I agree with DP having to compete with Dunham. GIVING him the starting positin has obviously done nothing to improve his game. He hasn't gotten any better since he played his first game and that, quite frankly, is pathetic.
1) As long as Ricky is on the team always expect that the isle's back up goalie will NOT be a threat to his job
2) With the new 15 year deal, the isles simply can't afford a goalie controversy.
The 15 year deal is a joke and you can't let some joke of a contract dictate how many games you try to win this season. DP has 15 years to get it right, so if Dunham can win us a game, play him.
Can DP even take himself seriously anymore with his name on that disgusting contract? Neil Smith was fired so that DP could get signed by his BUDDY Garth Snow. Is that not obvious to everyone? This organization is sick in the head and should be ashamed of the way it conducts business. DP will go down as the biggest idiot in professional sports for signing on with the worst hockey franchise ever.
Asham has been my favorite player since day one of being a fan of the most greatest team in NHL, And to me he has alot of potential and could bring great things out on to the ice, Yashin is also doing amazing as well as all the other islanders so I wish them all the luck in the world. BRING HOME THE CUP ISLANDERS!