The Islanders’ only home exhibition game did little to answer the question of where the goals are coming from this season. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, who is seven shutouts short of breaking Terry Sawchuk’s all-time NHL record for shutouts, rehearsed for the feat with a 3-0 win tonight at Nassau Coliseum.
The Devils capped the scoring in the final period with a four-on-four goal by defenseman Anssi Salmela. His shot from the high slot beat Isles goaltender Joey MacDonald high to the glove side at 14:03.
As effective as new coach Scott Gordon’s high-pressure attack was in the Isles’ previous win over Florida, this was a far more realistic gauge of progress against a Devils team basically playing three regular lines with the exception of John Madden’s checking line. The Islanders managed only 16 shots on goal to 2 for the Devils.
If there was reason for hope, it came in the form of some aggressive play by rookie Kyle Okposo and another solid showing by young center Frans Nielsen, whose confidence seems to increase daily. They look like they belong. The two teams meet in a rematch Friday at the Prudential Center.
Comments (5)
Well, a 1st period of fights was entertaining..the rest was awful. The Bobbleheads looked so outclassed tonight, I have no idea how we can with 1/3 of the games. Go Palin.
What is the status of Josh Bailey?
Listening to XM Radio today and they were saying he hasn't had any playing time at all and they're coming to the end of cuts for the team.
Islanders did better in the fights than in scoring. Dreadful offense. Can they score 100 goals this year? McDonald makes me pine for Dubie. A real Milbury-esque touch by Snow letting him go.
I saw the first period highlights at intermission and they didn't include the shorthanded goal by the Devil's Parise. I'd expect something like that from Dolan or on the YES network. Also while they showed the score from the completed Phillies-Brewers game and yesterday's Twins-White Sox, no in game score of Dodgers-Cubs. Don't want to let people know there's an alternative, Mr Wang?
I'll go out on a limb and guess the actual attendance was in four figures. Barely.
Above was psycho boy not me...
One thing I will say, is I am mad the game was not on tv here!
Islander fans in mid season form....... nobody at the game according to Logan, LOL>