John Tavares scored two goals in the Metropolitan Division All-Stars' first game of the 2017 NHL All-Star game against the Atlantic Division All-Stars, adding two assists for a game-high four points, tying him with Cam Atkinson of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2--4) for the points record.
Tavares recorded one assist in the Metro's final game of the "tournament" against the Pacific Division All-Stars.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
Ladd scores twice, Islanders beat Canadiens 3-1
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders had a strong effort from start to finish and head into the All-Star break playing their best hockey of the season.
Andrew Ladd scored twice to lead the Islanders to a 3-1 victory over Montreal on Thursday night, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Canadiens. Josh Bailey also had a goal and Thomas Greiss stopped 21 shots as New York improved to 5-0-1 in its last six.
''They were great (from) the drop of the puck,'' interim coach Doug Weight said. ''Team effort. Can't find me a guy that really had a bad shift. ... We played fast, we played hard, we competed. And 1 through 20, we were dialed in. It was a really good game.''
John Tavares and Nick Leddy each had two assists to help the Islanders beat the Atlantic Division-leading Canadiens for the first time since April 10, 2014.
''We've beaten some good teams throughout the year, so I think we believe we can compete with anybody in the league,'' Tavares said. ''Obviously, you're going to have to beat good teams to have success.''
New York, which was last in the Eastern Conference when Weight replaced the fired Jack Capuano on Jan. 17, has jumped ahead of five teams and sits five points out of a playoff spot.
''As good as this stretch has been, we have to come out of the break and follow it up,'' Tavares said.
Shea Weber scored for the Canadiens and Carey Price finished with 39 saves. Price, set for his fifth All-Star appearance, fell to 2-5-1 in his last eight games.
''You've got to give a lot of credit to the Islanders, they played a real solid game,'' Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. ''Carey was outstanding. If it was not for him, the game would not have been that close.''
Ladd put the Islanders ahead 2-1 at 7:20 of the third when he took a pass from Tavares and fired it past Price from the right circle for his 10th of the season. It was his second multi-goal game with New York since signing a seven-year, $38.5 million free-agent deal last July.
''It was a critical part of the game,'' Ladd said. ''Johnny did a good job getting the puck off the draw. I knew with him in the corner he was going to find some space. ... So, nice play by him.''
Bailey scored on a slap shot from the high slot for his eighth of the season with 4:47 to go, putting New York up by two.
With the Islanders leading 1-0, Greiss slid to his left to make a nice save on Max Pacioretty about 8 1/2 minutes into the second period.
Price had to make a flurry of saves, stopping a wrist shot by Anders Lee and then sprawling left to right on a backhander by Bailey with 9 minutes left. Nikolay Kulemin fired a long shot that was stopped by the goalie, and Casey Cizikas was denied on the rebound. Anthony Beauvillier was also stopped on a wrister from the inside edge of the right circle.
''We just seemed to come out with a lot of energy and line after line was feeding off it,'' Tavares said.
After the Islanders' Dennis Seidenberg was sent off for hooking with just over 6 minutes remaining, the Canadiens scored just 16 seconds later. Weber's slap shot from straightaway went off Greiss' glove and into the goal with 5:51 remaining for his 12th of the season and 10th on a power play.
New York had some chances on a power play near the midpoint of the first period, but Price stopped Lee's backhander from in close and an attempt by Tavares.
Greiss made a nice save on a wrister in close by Phillip Danault with about 9 1/2 minutes left on the Canadiens' second shot on goal.
Ladd got New York on the scoreboard with 6:53 left in the first as he got the puck, skated into the right circle and fired a shot from the dot through Price's five-hole.
NOTES: Montreal, which came in with the league's third-ranked power play, finished 1 for 3 on the man advantage. ... The Canadiens won 3-2 here on Oct. 26. The teams conclude their three-game season series at Montreal on Feb. 23. ... C Tomas Plekanec played in his 220th consecutive game. ... Tavares, who had his ninth multipoint game of the season, now has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his last eight games. ... Islanders RW Cal Clutterbuck did not play in the third period due to a lower-body injury.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Host Buffalo on Tuesday night in first game after All-Star break.
Islanders: Host Washington on Tuesday night.
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders had a strong effort from start to finish and head into the All-Star break playing their best hockey of the season.
Andrew Ladd scored twice to lead the Islanders to a 3-1 victory over Montreal on Thursday night, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Canadiens. Josh Bailey also had a goal and Thomas Greiss stopped 21 shots as New York improved to 5-0-1 in its last six.
''They were great (from) the drop of the puck,'' interim coach Doug Weight said. ''Team effort. Can't find me a guy that really had a bad shift. ... We played fast, we played hard, we competed. And 1 through 20, we were dialed in. It was a really good game.''
John Tavares and Nick Leddy each had two assists to help the Islanders beat the Atlantic Division-leading Canadiens for the first time since April 10, 2014.
''We've beaten some good teams throughout the year, so I think we believe we can compete with anybody in the league,'' Tavares said. ''Obviously, you're going to have to beat good teams to have success.''
New York, which was last in the Eastern Conference when Weight replaced the fired Jack Capuano on Jan. 17, has jumped ahead of five teams and sits five points out of a playoff spot.
''As good as this stretch has been, we have to come out of the break and follow it up,'' Tavares said.
Shea Weber scored for the Canadiens and Carey Price finished with 39 saves. Price, set for his fifth All-Star appearance, fell to 2-5-1 in his last eight games.
''You've got to give a lot of credit to the Islanders, they played a real solid game,'' Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. ''Carey was outstanding. If it was not for him, the game would not have been that close.''
Ladd put the Islanders ahead 2-1 at 7:20 of the third when he took a pass from Tavares and fired it past Price from the right circle for his 10th of the season. It was his second multi-goal game with New York since signing a seven-year, $38.5 million free-agent deal last July.
''It was a critical part of the game,'' Ladd said. ''Johnny did a good job getting the puck off the draw. I knew with him in the corner he was going to find some space. ... So, nice play by him.''
Bailey scored on a slap shot from the high slot for his eighth of the season with 4:47 to go, putting New York up by two.
With the Islanders leading 1-0, Greiss slid to his left to make a nice save on Max Pacioretty about 8 1/2 minutes into the second period.
Price had to make a flurry of saves, stopping a wrist shot by Anders Lee and then sprawling left to right on a backhander by Bailey with 9 minutes left. Nikolay Kulemin fired a long shot that was stopped by the goalie, and Casey Cizikas was denied on the rebound. Anthony Beauvillier was also stopped on a wrister from the inside edge of the right circle.
''We just seemed to come out with a lot of energy and line after line was feeding off it,'' Tavares said.
After the Islanders' Dennis Seidenberg was sent off for hooking with just over 6 minutes remaining, the Canadiens scored just 16 seconds later. Weber's slap shot from straightaway went off Greiss' glove and into the goal with 5:51 remaining for his 12th of the season and 10th on a power play.
New York had some chances on a power play near the midpoint of the first period, but Price stopped Lee's backhander from in close and an attempt by Tavares.
Greiss made a nice save on a wrister in close by Phillip Danault with about 9 1/2 minutes left on the Canadiens' second shot on goal.
Ladd got New York on the scoreboard with 6:53 left in the first as he got the puck, skated into the right circle and fired a shot from the dot through Price's five-hole.
NOTES: Montreal, which came in with the league's third-ranked power play, finished 1 for 3 on the man advantage. ... The Canadiens won 3-2 here on Oct. 26. The teams conclude their three-game season series at Montreal on Feb. 23. ... C Tomas Plekanec played in his 220th consecutive game. ... Tavares, who had his ninth multipoint game of the season, now has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in his last eight games. ... Islanders RW Cal Clutterbuck did not play in the third period due to a lower-body injury.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Host Buffalo on Tuesday night in first game after All-Star break.
Islanders: Host Washington on Tuesday night.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Islanders chase Bobrovsky, beat struggling Blue Jackets 4-2
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders are pushing their way up from the basement under their new interim coach.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it might be best to avoid the boss for a bit.
Nikolay Kulemin scored a goal and helped create another, and the Islanders chased All-Star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
The Islanders are 3-0-1 under interim coach Doug Weight a week after Jack Capuano was fired, ending his 6 1/2-season tenure.
''From top to bottom, one of our best efforts of the year,'' Weight said. ''Every line was a spark plug. A great game for us.''
The Islanders are still talking about making the postseason as the All-Star break approaches, even as they try to climb out of the cellar. New York entered tied for last in the Eastern Conference, but it's also now just four points behind Toronto for the final wild-card spot and has games in hand on nearly the entire conference.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, failed to respond after coach John Tortorella questioned his club's recent effort earlier in the day. Columbus entered two points behind Washington for first place in the rugged Metropolitan Division but is just 5-6-0 since a 16-game winning streak.
Tortorella said he was ''disappointed'' during a 50-second media session after the game.
''Not dissecting it tonight, boys,'' Tortorella said. ''Not tonight. I guess the players talked to you. Go with their information.''
Lukas Sedlak said Columbus hasn't given a 60-minute effort in the last month. Nick Foligno questioned why Columbus isn't ''getting that fight back that we need to have.'' Brandon Dubinsky wondered if the Blue Jackets were ''fat and happy.''
''We have to realize that the conference is tight,'' Dubinsky added. ''And these teams that we're playing, every team is pushing for a playoff spot.''
Even the Islanders.
Thomas Greiss made 21 saves and improved to 10-3-3 over his past 16 starts. New York also got goals from Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson and Jason Chimera. John Tavares had two assists.
Columbus dominated possession early but had only three shots on goal in the first 8 1/2 minutes before Foligno's score. The Blue Jackets' captain was posted in front of Greiss when Ryan Murray shot from the point. The attempt was redirected by Alexander Wennberg, then bounced off Greiss and Foligno before trickling over the goal line.
New York threatened during a power play late in the period but was otherwise muffled during a sleepy first. The Islanders had just two shots on goal in the first 12 minutes.
Bailey pulled New York even 2:21 into the second with his 100th NHL goal. With Kulemin battling All-Star defenseman Seth Jones atop the crease, Bailey smacked the puck toward net from beneath the right faceoff dot. The puck banked off Jones' skate - though Kulemin's stick was right there, too - and slid past Bobrovsky.
Kulemin then found the rebound of Calvin de Haan's point shot and backhanded it past a screened Bobrovsky for a 2-1 lead late in the second.
Kulemin has three goals and two assists over his past five games.
''He's a strong guy,'' Tavares said. ''Always moving his feet. Makes things happen. When he uses his size, it's great to see.''
Nelson added to the lead 35 seconds into the third, snapping a shot from atop the right circle that beat Bobrovsky's glove to the top right corner. Chimera scored from almost the same spot five minutes later, ending Bobrovsky's night.
Bobrovsky stopped 20 of 24 shots before being lifted for Joonas Korpisalo.
Cam Atkinson got his 24th goal for Columbus on a snap shot with 5:21 remaining.
NOTES: Chimera has five goals in seven games. ... Wennberg's assist on Foligno's goal was his 100th NHL point. ... Islanders F Anders Lee was a late scratch because of an illness. ... Islanders F Andrew Ladd returned after missing four games with an upper-body injury. ... New York F Anthony Beauvillier sat out after getting injured blocking a shot Sunday. ... Columbus Ds Markus Nutivaara and David Savard were scratched and both were day to day with undisclosed injuries.
UP NEXT
Blue Jackets: Head south to face Nashville on Thursday night before returning to New York after the All-Star break to play the Rangers next Tuesday night.
Islanders: Close out January against the Eastern Conference division leaders, hosting Montreal on Thursday night and then Washington next Tuesday night."
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders are pushing their way up from the basement under their new interim coach.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it might be best to avoid the boss for a bit.
Nikolay Kulemin scored a goal and helped create another, and the Islanders chased All-Star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
The Islanders are 3-0-1 under interim coach Doug Weight a week after Jack Capuano was fired, ending his 6 1/2-season tenure.
''From top to bottom, one of our best efforts of the year,'' Weight said. ''Every line was a spark plug. A great game for us.''
The Islanders are still talking about making the postseason as the All-Star break approaches, even as they try to climb out of the cellar. New York entered tied for last in the Eastern Conference, but it's also now just four points behind Toronto for the final wild-card spot and has games in hand on nearly the entire conference.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, failed to respond after coach John Tortorella questioned his club's recent effort earlier in the day. Columbus entered two points behind Washington for first place in the rugged Metropolitan Division but is just 5-6-0 since a 16-game winning streak.
Tortorella said he was ''disappointed'' during a 50-second media session after the game.
''Not dissecting it tonight, boys,'' Tortorella said. ''Not tonight. I guess the players talked to you. Go with their information.''
Lukas Sedlak said Columbus hasn't given a 60-minute effort in the last month. Nick Foligno questioned why Columbus isn't ''getting that fight back that we need to have.'' Brandon Dubinsky wondered if the Blue Jackets were ''fat and happy.''
''We have to realize that the conference is tight,'' Dubinsky added. ''And these teams that we're playing, every team is pushing for a playoff spot.''
Even the Islanders.
Thomas Greiss made 21 saves and improved to 10-3-3 over his past 16 starts. New York also got goals from Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson and Jason Chimera. John Tavares had two assists.
Columbus dominated possession early but had only three shots on goal in the first 8 1/2 minutes before Foligno's score. The Blue Jackets' captain was posted in front of Greiss when Ryan Murray shot from the point. The attempt was redirected by Alexander Wennberg, then bounced off Greiss and Foligno before trickling over the goal line.
New York threatened during a power play late in the period but was otherwise muffled during a sleepy first. The Islanders had just two shots on goal in the first 12 minutes.
Bailey pulled New York even 2:21 into the second with his 100th NHL goal. With Kulemin battling All-Star defenseman Seth Jones atop the crease, Bailey smacked the puck toward net from beneath the right faceoff dot. The puck banked off Jones' skate - though Kulemin's stick was right there, too - and slid past Bobrovsky.
Kulemin then found the rebound of Calvin de Haan's point shot and backhanded it past a screened Bobrovsky for a 2-1 lead late in the second.
Kulemin has three goals and two assists over his past five games.
''He's a strong guy,'' Tavares said. ''Always moving his feet. Makes things happen. When he uses his size, it's great to see.''
Nelson added to the lead 35 seconds into the third, snapping a shot from atop the right circle that beat Bobrovsky's glove to the top right corner. Chimera scored from almost the same spot five minutes later, ending Bobrovsky's night.
Bobrovsky stopped 20 of 24 shots before being lifted for Joonas Korpisalo.
Cam Atkinson got his 24th goal for Columbus on a snap shot with 5:21 remaining.
NOTES: Chimera has five goals in seven games. ... Wennberg's assist on Foligno's goal was his 100th NHL point. ... Islanders F Anders Lee was a late scratch because of an illness. ... Islanders F Andrew Ladd returned after missing four games with an upper-body injury. ... New York F Anthony Beauvillier sat out after getting injured blocking a shot Sunday. ... Columbus Ds Markus Nutivaara and David Savard were scratched and both were day to day with undisclosed injuries.
UP NEXT
Blue Jackets: Head south to face Nashville on Thursday night before returning to New York after the All-Star break to play the Rangers next Tuesday night.
Islanders: Close out January against the Eastern Conference division leaders, hosting Montreal on Thursday night and then Washington next Tuesday night."
Monday, January 23, 2017
Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss named Second Star of the Week
New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss on Monday was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week ending Jan. 22 by the NHL.
Greiss went 2-0-1 with a 0.98 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and two shutouts to guide the Islanders (19-17-9, 47 points) to seven out of a possible eight standings points. He opened the week with consecutive shutouts, registering 32 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins Jan. 16 and 23 saves in a 3-0 win against the Dallas Stars Jan. 19. Greiss then made 44 saves, four shy of his career high, in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 22. The 30-year-old Fussen, Germany, native owns a 12-7-3 record with a 2.32 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 appearances this season.
Pittsburgh's Conor Sheary was the first star, and Washington's TJ Oshie was the third star.
Greiss went 2-0-1 with a 0.98 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and two shutouts to guide the Islanders (19-17-9, 47 points) to seven out of a possible eight standings points. He opened the week with consecutive shutouts, registering 32 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins Jan. 16 and 23 saves in a 3-0 win against the Dallas Stars Jan. 19. Greiss then made 44 saves, four shy of his career high, in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 22. The 30-year-old Fussen, Germany, native owns a 12-7-3 record with a 2.32 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 appearances this season.
Pittsburgh's Conor Sheary was the first star, and Washington's TJ Oshie was the third star.
Giroux scores 3:20 into OT to lift Flyers past Islanders
By ALLAN KREDA
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers desperately needed a victory, especially on the road, and they got it thanks to their captain.
Claude Giroux scored at 3:20 of overtime as the Flyers rallied to beat the Islanders 3-2 Sunday night to end New York's three-game winning streak. It was Philadelphia's first road win since Dec. 14 at Colorado, ending a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2) away from home.
Giroux's 11th goal of the season came on pass from defenseman Shayne Gostibehere from behind the net, giving the Flyers the morale-building victory win after trailing 2-0. Philadelphia was 3-9-3 in its previous 15 since a 10-game winning streak.
"No question we needed a win," Flyers coach Dave Haksol said. "I don't think guys were getting too far off center but probably the biggest thing was the outlook we had, coming in and playing focused."
Wayne Simmonds scored late in the second period to pull the Flyers within one and Ivan Provorov tied it early in the third. Steve Mason finished with 36 saves.
"We were playing well and had a lot of chances and they weren't going in," Giroux said. "When Wayne got that goal, it was a relief on the bench. I never saw such a celebration for a first goal."
Nick Leddy and Alan Quine scored for New York, and Thomas Greiss stopped 44 shots.
Before Giroux's winner, Greiss denied Provorov on a point-blank attempt. Mason matched that save, denying Islanders captain Tavares on a breakaway after Jason Chimera fed him the puck.
The Islanders had two power-play chances midway through the third period without converting.
"We seemed sluggish and our execution wasn't as good as it was our last two games," said Tavares, who leads the Islanders with 19 goals and 36 points but was held off the scoresheet. "Today wasn't our best. We'll rest up and get ready for a tough couple of games heading into the All-Star break."
The Flyers had their chance with the man advantage when Cal Clutterbuck was called for tripping with 2:53 left but also failed to score. The Flyers held a 42-34 shots advantage heading into overtime.
Leddy opened the scoring with 6:35 to go in the first period, snaring a loose puck that had squirted free after a scramble in front of the Flyers net and firing the puck over a fallen Mason.
Tavares rushed in on Mason but neither he nor linemates Josh Bailey or Anders Lee could beat Mason before the puck found its way out to Leddy, who scored his eighth.
The Flyers outshot the Islanders 15-8 in the first but Greiss continued his strong play, stopping all Flyers attempts.
The Islanders' starting goalie since Jaroslav Halak was sent to AHL Bridgeport three weeks ago, Greiss continued his stellar play in the second with another 18 saves.
Quine made it 2-0 at 4:47 of the second, flipping the puck over Mason for his fourth goal of the season.
Simmonds finally broke through for the Flyers with 5:50 left in the second period to narrow the deficit to 2-1. The goal ended Greiss' shutout streak at 154:10 following shutout wins at Boston last Monday and at home against Dallas last Thursday night.
Simmonds' goal was his team-leading 19th this season.
"We made bounces go our way," said Simmonds. "As long as you're working hard, generally things catch up with you."
Provorov tied it at 1:47 of the third on a dazzling solo effort around the Islanders' defense before beating Greiss for his fourth.
With both teams playing the second game of weekend back-to-backs, the Islanders had more jump early. But the Flyers seemed to find their legs once Simmonds scored late in the second and into the third period.
New York had won two straight games since Doug Weight replaced Jack Capuano as coach last Tuesday. They beat Dallas 3-0 on Thursday and stopped the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Saturday. They also won 3-0 at Boston last Monday in Capuano's last game.
The Islanders host Columbus and Montreal before next weekend's four-day break. After hosting Washington on Jan. 31, they will play 22 of their remaining 34 games on the road. The Islanders played three games the last four days following Capuano's departure after six-plus years behind their bench.
"They battled," Weight said. "We looked a little tired but still played well in the third. Some games you don't have it as much as other ones."
Clutterbuck returned after three-game absence with an undisclosed injury while defenseman Johnny Boychuk also returned after missing two games. Forward Andrew Ladd missed his fourth straight game with an upper body injury.
NOTES: The Islanders have scored first in 21 of their last 26 games. ... New York fell to 15-0-4 when leading after two periods. ... The Flyers have allowed the game's first goal a league-high 32 times. ... The Islanders visit Philadelphia on Feb. 9 and March 30 to complete the season series.
UP NEXT
Flyers: At the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
Islanders: Host Columbus on Tuesday night.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers desperately needed a victory, especially on the road, and they got it thanks to their captain.
Claude Giroux scored at 3:20 of overtime as the Flyers rallied to beat the Islanders 3-2 Sunday night to end New York's three-game winning streak. It was Philadelphia's first road win since Dec. 14 at Colorado, ending a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2) away from home.
Giroux's 11th goal of the season came on pass from defenseman Shayne Gostibehere from behind the net, giving the Flyers the morale-building victory win after trailing 2-0. Philadelphia was 3-9-3 in its previous 15 since a 10-game winning streak.
"No question we needed a win," Flyers coach Dave Haksol said. "I don't think guys were getting too far off center but probably the biggest thing was the outlook we had, coming in and playing focused."
Wayne Simmonds scored late in the second period to pull the Flyers within one and Ivan Provorov tied it early in the third. Steve Mason finished with 36 saves.
"We were playing well and had a lot of chances and they weren't going in," Giroux said. "When Wayne got that goal, it was a relief on the bench. I never saw such a celebration for a first goal."
Nick Leddy and Alan Quine scored for New York, and Thomas Greiss stopped 44 shots.
Before Giroux's winner, Greiss denied Provorov on a point-blank attempt. Mason matched that save, denying Islanders captain Tavares on a breakaway after Jason Chimera fed him the puck.
The Islanders had two power-play chances midway through the third period without converting.
"We seemed sluggish and our execution wasn't as good as it was our last two games," said Tavares, who leads the Islanders with 19 goals and 36 points but was held off the scoresheet. "Today wasn't our best. We'll rest up and get ready for a tough couple of games heading into the All-Star break."
The Flyers had their chance with the man advantage when Cal Clutterbuck was called for tripping with 2:53 left but also failed to score. The Flyers held a 42-34 shots advantage heading into overtime.
Leddy opened the scoring with 6:35 to go in the first period, snaring a loose puck that had squirted free after a scramble in front of the Flyers net and firing the puck over a fallen Mason.
Tavares rushed in on Mason but neither he nor linemates Josh Bailey or Anders Lee could beat Mason before the puck found its way out to Leddy, who scored his eighth.
The Flyers outshot the Islanders 15-8 in the first but Greiss continued his strong play, stopping all Flyers attempts.
The Islanders' starting goalie since Jaroslav Halak was sent to AHL Bridgeport three weeks ago, Greiss continued his stellar play in the second with another 18 saves.
Quine made it 2-0 at 4:47 of the second, flipping the puck over Mason for his fourth goal of the season.
Simmonds finally broke through for the Flyers with 5:50 left in the second period to narrow the deficit to 2-1. The goal ended Greiss' shutout streak at 154:10 following shutout wins at Boston last Monday and at home against Dallas last Thursday night.
Simmonds' goal was his team-leading 19th this season.
"We made bounces go our way," said Simmonds. "As long as you're working hard, generally things catch up with you."
Provorov tied it at 1:47 of the third on a dazzling solo effort around the Islanders' defense before beating Greiss for his fourth.
With both teams playing the second game of weekend back-to-backs, the Islanders had more jump early. But the Flyers seemed to find their legs once Simmonds scored late in the second and into the third period.
New York had won two straight games since Doug Weight replaced Jack Capuano as coach last Tuesday. They beat Dallas 3-0 on Thursday and stopped the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Saturday. They also won 3-0 at Boston last Monday in Capuano's last game.
The Islanders host Columbus and Montreal before next weekend's four-day break. After hosting Washington on Jan. 31, they will play 22 of their remaining 34 games on the road. The Islanders played three games the last four days following Capuano's departure after six-plus years behind their bench.
"They battled," Weight said. "We looked a little tired but still played well in the third. Some games you don't have it as much as other ones."
Clutterbuck returned after three-game absence with an undisclosed injury while defenseman Johnny Boychuk also returned after missing two games. Forward Andrew Ladd missed his fourth straight game with an upper body injury.
NOTES: The Islanders have scored first in 21 of their last 26 games. ... New York fell to 15-0-4 when leading after two periods. ... The Flyers have allowed the game's first goal a league-high 32 times. ... The Islanders visit Philadelphia on Feb. 9 and March 30 to complete the season series.
UP NEXT
Flyers: At the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
Islanders: Host Columbus on Tuesday night.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Lee scores 2 power-play goals, Islanders beat Kings 4-2
NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Islanders are on quite a nice roll.
Anders Lee scored two power-play goals to lead the Islanders to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, giving New York its third straight win and fourth in the last five games.
”We’ve been keeping it simple of late,” said Lee, who has four goals in two games against the Kings this season. ”We’ve been getting shots on net and being more effective. I’ll do my thing down low.”
John Tavares had a goal and an assist, Jason Chimera also scored and Jean-Francois Berube stopped 34 shots to earn his first win in his third start of the season.
Nick Leddy added two assists as New York, last in the East, pulled five points behind Toronto for the conference’s second wild-card spot.
”We believe we’re a playoff team,” Berube said. ”We trust each other. We have to build on this. We’re going a game at a time. Tomorrow against Philly is a huge game for us.”
After Los Angeles scored twice early in the third period to tie it, Lee put the Islanders ahead for good at 9:31, deflecting a slap shot by Leddy past Peter Budaj for his 17th of the season.
Tavares added a power-play empty-netter with 44 seconds to go, giving him eight goals and nine points in his last five games.
Islanders interim coach Doug Weight improved to 2-0-0 since replacing Jack Capuano when he was fired earlier in the week.
”We have to just win one game in a row and keep it moving,” Chimera said. ”We’re just looking to play well each and every game.”
Drew Doughty had a goal and an assist, and Jeff Carter also scored for Los Angeles, which lost its third straight. Budaj finished with 32 saves.
The Kings trailed 2-0 after two periods despite outshooting the Islanders 27-18.
”We did have some really, really good chances and Berube made some big saves,” Doughty said. ”There were maybe four or five of those. … I’d say a good 15 of them were easy saves, with guys not in front and guys not going to the net.”
Los Angeles finally got on the scoreboard 37 seconds into the third, ending the Islanders’ shutout streak at 166:44. Carter backhanded the rebound of a shot by Doughty for his 24th of the season and 20th goal and 46th point in 46 games against the Islanders.
The Kings tied it about 3 1/2 minutes later as Doughty fired a shot from beyond the right circle that appeared to deflect in off Leddy’s skate for his eighth.
After coming in with the NHL’s ninth-ranked penalty-kill at 83.1 percent, the Kings gave up three power-play goals and have allowed six in 16 chances over their last four games. The Islanders, 3 for 5 on the man advantage, came in 0 for 21 over their previous six games
”Getting results is important sometimes,” Weight said. ”It seems as though we were having two games where we’re 0 for 4 and really putting shots on (goal) and getting zone time. And then we’re having one game we’re horrific and we’re 0 for 5.”
Lee doubled the Islanders’ lead at 7:09, just 50 seconds after the Kings’ Jake Muzzin was sent off for hooking as he stuffed in the rebound of a shot by Tavares.
Chimera got the Islanders on the scoreboard with a fluky goal. He brought the puck up the left side and sent it at the net from the left faceoff circle. The puck hit Budaj’s mask and fell down and crossed the goal line 2 1/2 minutes into the game for Chimera’s ninth of the season and fourth in the last five games. It came on New York’s first shot.
NOTES: The Kings, coming off a 3-4-0 homestand, opened a stretch with nine of 10 on the road. … Kings C Nic Dowd left in the second period and didn’t return. … Lee had one goal in his first 18 games of the season. He has 16 in 26 games since, starting with a two-goal effort in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss at Los Angeles on Nov. 23. … Berube was drafted by the Kings in 2009 and spent six seasons in the organization before being claimed off waivers by the Islanders in October 2015. … The Islanders improved to 15-5-5 when scoring first and 15-0-3 when leading after two periods.
UP NEXT
Kings: At the New York Rangers on Monday night in the second game of a five-game trip.
Islanders: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night in the third game of a season-high six-game homestand.
Anders Lee scored two power-play goals to lead the Islanders to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, giving New York its third straight win and fourth in the last five games.
”We’ve been keeping it simple of late,” said Lee, who has four goals in two games against the Kings this season. ”We’ve been getting shots on net and being more effective. I’ll do my thing down low.”
John Tavares had a goal and an assist, Jason Chimera also scored and Jean-Francois Berube stopped 34 shots to earn his first win in his third start of the season.
Nick Leddy added two assists as New York, last in the East, pulled five points behind Toronto for the conference’s second wild-card spot.
”We believe we’re a playoff team,” Berube said. ”We trust each other. We have to build on this. We’re going a game at a time. Tomorrow against Philly is a huge game for us.”
After Los Angeles scored twice early in the third period to tie it, Lee put the Islanders ahead for good at 9:31, deflecting a slap shot by Leddy past Peter Budaj for his 17th of the season.
Tavares added a power-play empty-netter with 44 seconds to go, giving him eight goals and nine points in his last five games.
Islanders interim coach Doug Weight improved to 2-0-0 since replacing Jack Capuano when he was fired earlier in the week.
”We have to just win one game in a row and keep it moving,” Chimera said. ”We’re just looking to play well each and every game.”
Drew Doughty had a goal and an assist, and Jeff Carter also scored for Los Angeles, which lost its third straight. Budaj finished with 32 saves.
The Kings trailed 2-0 after two periods despite outshooting the Islanders 27-18.
”We did have some really, really good chances and Berube made some big saves,” Doughty said. ”There were maybe four or five of those. … I’d say a good 15 of them were easy saves, with guys not in front and guys not going to the net.”
Los Angeles finally got on the scoreboard 37 seconds into the third, ending the Islanders’ shutout streak at 166:44. Carter backhanded the rebound of a shot by Doughty for his 24th of the season and 20th goal and 46th point in 46 games against the Islanders.
The Kings tied it about 3 1/2 minutes later as Doughty fired a shot from beyond the right circle that appeared to deflect in off Leddy’s skate for his eighth.
After coming in with the NHL’s ninth-ranked penalty-kill at 83.1 percent, the Kings gave up three power-play goals and have allowed six in 16 chances over their last four games. The Islanders, 3 for 5 on the man advantage, came in 0 for 21 over their previous six games
”Getting results is important sometimes,” Weight said. ”It seems as though we were having two games where we’re 0 for 4 and really putting shots on (goal) and getting zone time. And then we’re having one game we’re horrific and we’re 0 for 5.”
Lee doubled the Islanders’ lead at 7:09, just 50 seconds after the Kings’ Jake Muzzin was sent off for hooking as he stuffed in the rebound of a shot by Tavares.
Chimera got the Islanders on the scoreboard with a fluky goal. He brought the puck up the left side and sent it at the net from the left faceoff circle. The puck hit Budaj’s mask and fell down and crossed the goal line 2 1/2 minutes into the game for Chimera’s ninth of the season and fourth in the last five games. It came on New York’s first shot.
NOTES: The Kings, coming off a 3-4-0 homestand, opened a stretch with nine of 10 on the road. … Kings C Nic Dowd left in the second period and didn’t return. … Lee had one goal in his first 18 games of the season. He has 16 in 26 games since, starting with a two-goal effort in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss at Los Angeles on Nov. 23. … Berube was drafted by the Kings in 2009 and spent six seasons in the organization before being claimed off waivers by the Islanders in October 2015. … The Islanders improved to 15-5-5 when scoring first and 15-0-3 when leading after two periods.
UP NEXT
Kings: At the New York Rangers on Monday night in the second game of a five-game trip.
Islanders: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night in the third game of a season-high six-game homestand.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Tavares, Greiss give Weight win in Islanders debut
NEW YORK (AP) Getting a new coach this week didn’t change things much for the Islanders – and oddly enough, that’s a good thing for New York.
John Tavares narrowly missed out on his second hat trick in a week, Thomas Greiss got his second straight shutout and the Islanders beat the Dallas Stars 3-0 on Thursday night in their first game since firing longtime coach Jack Capuano.
New York canned Capuano in the middle of his seventh season Tuesday, replacing him on an interim basis with Doug Weight.
”We had guys battle,” Weight said. ”Top-to-bottom effort led by our captain and goalie.”
The new boss made a few adjustments, namely on the power play – though after going 0 for 7, that’s still a work in progress.
In the end, New York got this victory in a familiar fashion.
Tavares scored three times in a 5-2 win over Florida last Friday, then appeared to have a hat trick until a video review took away his apparent goal against Carolina on Saturday.
He again scored twice against Dallas, getting a flashy even-strength goal in the first period, and then converting on a short-handed breakaway with 3:06 left in the third. It was the first short-handed goal of Tavares’ career.
Moments after the latter goal, he had an empty-net shot just deflected wide.
The Isles captain has seven goals in four games despite the big personnel change in the middle of that run.
”A good response from the guys after a pretty emotional day and a half,” Tavares said. ”Came out and played some good hockey. A good effort all around.”
And then there’s Greiss, who stopped 23 shots against Dallas after making 32 saves in a 4-0 win over Boston on Monday. The consecutive shutouts come after Greiss allowed seven goals against Carolina last Saturday.
He called this ”an awesome night.”
”Our goaltending was a 10 – cool, calm and collected,” defenseman Thomas Hickey said. ”It rubs off on everybody.”
Calvin de Haan added an empty-net goal on a coast-to-coast shot with 4 seconds left.
Kari Lehtonen made 33 saves for Dallas, including breakaway denials on Tavares and Shane Prince. The Stars were coming off a wild 7-6 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, but they left all the offense in Manhattan and dropped to 3-12-4 in games following a victory this season.
”It’s disappointing, frustrating,” defenseman Dan Hamhuis said. ”It was a huge game for us.”
Tavares got his 17th goal with 6:29 left in the first period. After taking a pass from Anders Lee, the All-Star slid the puck behind John Klingberg while cutting in front of the Dallas defenseman, met the puck on the other side of Klingberg and smacked it past Lehtonen for a 1-0 lead.
Tavares picked up his short-handed score on a low wrist shot. Dallas entered trailing Philadelphia by one for the league lead in short-handed goals allowed.
Weight was an assistant GM and coach with New York before his promotion this week. The Islanders entered Thursday in last place and eight points shy of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, though they have games in hand on nearly the entire league.
Weight said Wednesday that he doesn’t plan to ”reinvent the wheel” as interim coach, but said New York was ”going to tweak some things in certain systems.”
The power play is one obvious area that needs improvement – New York entered Thursday ranked 28th in the league. Weight certainly got creative, even keeping Tavares off the ice for man-up stretches later in the game.
Lehtonen’s breakaway saves kept it close. He denied Tavares on a rising wrist shot in the first period, then stopped Prince’s sweeping deke with a sliding leg save.
NOTES: Islanders D Johnny Boychuk sat out because of an upper-body injury. The team said he is day-to-day. … Isles Fs Andrew Ladd (upper-body injury) and Cal Clutterbuck (lower-body injury) each missed their second straight games. Both are day-to-day. … Dallas Ds Johnny Oduya and Jamie Oleksiak were scratched with injuries. Oduya aggravated an ankle injury against the Rangers and will be out two to four games, and Oleksiak is dealing with an upper-body issue. … UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes was at the game with her title belt. Nunes knocked out MMA superstar Ronda Rousey for the championship on Dec. 30.
UP NEXT
Stars: Return to Texas for a six-game homestand beginning with a game Saturday night against Washington.
Islanders: Continue their six-game homestand when the Kings play here Saturday night.
STARS-ISLANDERS SUMS
First Period-1, N.Y. Islanders, Tavares 17 (Lee), 13:31. Penalties-Cizikas, NYI, (tripping), 1:54; Cracknell, DAL, (hooking), 9:32; Sharp, DAL, (roughing), 16:27.
Second Period-None. Penalties-Hickey, NYI, Major (fighting), 1:42; Faksa, DAL, Major (fighting), 1:42; Faksa, DAL, served by Seguin, (roughing), 1:42; Cracknell, DAL, (hooking), 13:21; Faksa, DAL, (tripping), 17:42.
Third Period-2, N.Y. Islanders, Tavares 18 (Kulemin), 16:54 (sh). 3, N.Y. Islanders, De haan 3 (Greiss), 19:56. Penalties-Quine, NYI, (holding), 3:09; Benn, DAL, major (high sticking), 3:56; Mayfield, NYI, (slashing), 14:59; Roussel, DAL, (roughing), 20:00; Roussel, DAL, (roughing), 20:00.
Shots on Goal-Dallas 10-5-8-23. N.Y. Islanders 10-16-10-36.
Power-play opportunities-Dallas 0 of 3; N.Y. Islanders 0 of 7.
Goalies-Dallas, Lehtonen 9-13-4 (35 shots-33 saves). N.Y. Islanders, Greiss 12-7-2 (23-23).
A-12,630 (15,813). T-2:28.
Referees-Kendrick Nicholson, Chris Rooney. Linesmen-Steve Miller, Pierre Racicot.
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