New York Islanders 3 Phoenix Coyotes 6 F
NY Islanders:A game removed from a come from behind victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night, there would be no such luck for the Islanders in this game. Left-winger Eric Boulton got the Isles out to a 1-0 lead on his goal at the 13:06 mark in the first period. However, the Coyotes would respond with four straight goals spanning into the second period. Keith Yandle tied the game for Phoenix on a power-play goal less than a minute later, with Thomas Vanek sitting in the penalty box nursing a two minute minor for slashing. The Isles stand in last place in the league with a 71.3 penalty kill percentage.
Rob Klinkhammer scored his first of two goals on the night a little over two minutes and thirty seconds into the second period. Teammates Mikkel Boedker and Mike Ribeiro would follow with goals of their own, to give the Coyotes a 4-1 lead. Captain John Tavares brought the Islanders back within two goals, finding the back of the net for his 13th of the season. Kyle Okposo scored for the second straight game, bringing his team to within one goal. However, this would be the last goal the Islanders would score. Boedker and Klinkhammer would each tally another goal, with the latter coming in the third period.
Goalie Kevin Poulin could not build off his stellar performance against the Sharks, allowing the Coyotes to score six goals on 37 shots. New York will now return home for a Saturday night game at Nassau Veterans Coliseum against the Montreal Canadiens. The game will begin at 7:00 pm.
Notes: Center Casey Cizikas injured his jaw in the first period and did not return to the game. He is listed as day-to-day.
Defenseman Brian Strait saw his first game action, after missing 23 contests, due to an upper body injury. Radek Martinek was placed on the injured list with back spasms, in order to reactive Strait.
Evgeni Nabokov was back to being suited up. He sat on the bench and backed up Kevin Poulin. Anders Nilsson found himself as the odd man out amongst goalies and was sent down to Bridgeport (AHL).
Defenseman Matt Carkner was a healthy scratch.
The anticipated return of Ryan Strome will have to wait another game. While he participated in the morning skate with the rest of teammates, Coach Jack Capuano stated he wants to get Strome “acclimated in our meetings first.” (Courtesy: ESPN)
Greg Aaron’s Three Stars of The Game
3 Stars- Brian Strait- In his first game back since being sidelined with an upper body injury, Strait has assists on two of the three Islanders goals.
2 Stars- Mikkel Boedker- Left-winger now has eight goals on the season after netting two in tonight’s game.
1 Star- Rob Klinkhammer- Finishes the game with a pair of goals and an assist. The leader in the Coyotes victory.
Gregory Aaron:PureSportsNY