OKPOSO, ISLANDERS WIN SHOOTOUT OVER PENGUINS
Game Review
November 21, 2014
The New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout. Needless to say, that is a pretty rare feat as the Penguins are noted as one of the best shootout teams in the league. But, what's more surprising about the outcome is that it got that far.
The Islanders were clearly the more dominant team tonight, dictating the pace and taking the energy out of the crowd and most importantly, the team mid-way through the first period, striking three times in 1:35. A bright spot for the Penguins was Patric Hornqvist's game-tying goal in the third period, as he had been on a bit of a scoring drought. It was good to see the Swedish winger get back on the score sheet.
Thankfully for the Penguins, they get a chance to avenge the loss tomorrow night as they head up to Long Island to complete the home-and-home weekend series.
Positives:
The New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout. Needless to say, that is a pretty rare feat as the Penguins are noted as one of the best shootout teams in the league. But, what's more surprising about the outcome is that it got that far.
The Islanders were clearly the more dominant team tonight, dictating the pace and taking the energy out of the crowd and most importantly, the team mid-way through the first period, striking three times in 1:35. A bright spot for the Penguins was Patric Hornqvist's game-tying goal in the third period, as he had been on a bit of a scoring drought. It was good to see the Swedish winger get back on the score sheet.
Thankfully for the Penguins, they get a chance to avenge the loss tomorrow night as they head up to Long Island to complete the home-and-home weekend series.
Positives:
- Depth Scoring. The Penguins depth forwards played a big role in the contest, scoring three of the four goals. Tallies by Brandon Sutter, Nick Spaling, and Blake Comeau were needed for the Penguins to have any chance in keeping the game close.
- Second Period. The Penguins were completely outplayed in the first period, but bounced back to put up 17 shots in the middle frame. Granted, some of those shots were fluff, at least they were getting the puck on net.
- Penalty Kill. They killed the one minor penalty that was called all night, so that's a plus. The other four penalties were offsetting, therefore not warranting a power play or penalty kill.
Negatives:
- Marc-Andre Fleury. I will support Fleury nine times out of ten; tonight happened to be that tenth time. He looked shaky in net all night and did make some big saves once he got in a bit of a groove, but was not a great part of the Penguins game. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Color Commentator Bob Errey kept saying how Islanders' netminder Chad Johnson looked shaky, however, I believe that was wishful thinking.
- Robert Bortuzzo. He looked completely lost all night and if it were a one game judgement call, Simon Despres should always make that start. I'm assuming we'll see Despres on the Island, but his presence was surely missed in this contest.
- Superstars. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby can put on one heck of a passing and skating display when they're on. That's great, but when they continue to pass up scoring chances, what is it all worth? Combined, the two only had two shots on the night, simply not enough.
- Officiating. Now, I don't like to critique the referees, but there were some obvious penalties all night. Not saying the Penguins were saints, but they deserved at least one or two power play opportunities and the same can be said about the Islanders. I'll assume there may be more whistles blown on the Island Saturday night.
