Isles Files
Your source for behind-the-scenes New York Islanders hockey news and information.
Ramping up urgency, holding off panic
Nabokov in goal, Jurcina back in lineup for Isles vs. Canadiens
Coming off his 45-save shutout on Tuesday, Evgeni Nabokov was an easy call to get back in net tonight against the Canadiens at the Coliseum.
Milan Jurcina returns from a two-game absence due to a lacerated elbow, and not a moment too soon -- with Dylan Reese (sprained left MCL) out at least a month, the Isles need every defenseman they can get back in. Jurcina will pair with Andrew MacDonald...
Nabokov in goal, Ness to make NHL debut vs. Flyers
Evgeni Nabokov goes back in goal for the Islanders tonight in Philadelphia, opposed by Ilya Bryzgalov for the Flyers.
Aaron Ness gets to jump right into the NHL fire tonight. Jack Capuano said Ness will pair with Mark Eaton to start the game, and Dylan Reese will play with Andrew MacDonald.
Without Hamonic and Milan Jurcina (lacerated elbow), the Isles are missing their two most physical...
Al Montoya in goal, Dylan Reese in for Jurcina tonight vs. Sabres
Montoya's start marks the third different Isles goaltender in the last three games. Milan Jurcina suffered a lacerated elbow when he was undercut by former teammate Zenon Konopka in the third period last night in Ottawa; Jurcina played through it to set up Mark Eaton's OT winner, but now he's day to day and Dylan Reese will play in his place.
Brian Rolston will be a healthy scratch for a third...
Nabokov in net, same lineup for Isles vs. Ottawa
That means Brian Rolston and Dylan Reese are the healthy scratches. Evgeni Nabokov makes his first start since a 3-0 loss to the Leafs on Jan. 23, though he only backed up twice in that span due to the All-Star break. Nabokov started 15 of the previous 16 games.
Craig Anderson makes his 16th consecutive start in goal for the Senators. Jason Spezza didn't skate this morning, but coach Paul...
Poulin in goal vs. Canes; Rakhshani, Staios in, Rolston, Reese out
Jack Capuano has decided to go with Kevin Poulin, who played Friday and Saturday for Bridgeport. Evgeni Nabokov will likely play Friday in Ottawa, so this appears to be a one-time appearance for Poulin, who is 0-2 for the Isles so far this season.
"It's fun when you get a chance to play, and you want to win. Last game here for me was rough," said Poulin, who allowed goals on the...
Kevin Poulin, Rhett Rakhshani recalled from Bridgeport, may play Tuesday
Based on recent call-up history under Jack Capuano, don't be surprised to see Kevin Poulin in the net tomorrow night in Raleigh to face the Hurricanes.
Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya were both off for nearly a week, and with Nabokov having needed some time earlier this season to shake off the rust following a groin injury and Montoya having played one game in the past five weeks, Poulin --...
Analysis: Isles at the break
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
Better, but not good enough. That’s the defining sentence of the Isles’ first 48 games of 2011-12 -- they are improved in areas over last season and the two that preceded it, but that hasn’t translated into improvement where it matters most, in the standings. They have one of the league’s rising young stars in John Tavares, whose personal improvement from last season to this one is the most stark...
Bettman still believes in a new Coliseum
Photo credit: AP
OTTAWA--NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he would “find it hard to believe” a deal will not be worked out to replace or refurbish Nassau Coliseum, thus keeping the Islanders on Long Island, before the lease expires in 2015.
"They still have three-and-a-half years to go,” Bettman said in an informal session following a news conference here during All-Star Weekend. “I find it hard to...
Al Montoya makes first start in a month vs. Leafs
Jack Capuano goes with Montoya, who hasn't played since suffering a concussion in Winnipeg on Dec. 20, against the Leafs in the last game before the week-long All-Star break.
Steve Staios will sit for a fifth straight game, but Capuano said he'll be tweaking the defense pairings -- expect to see Mark Streit (-19) and Milan Jurcina (-21) split up.
A couple of Isles coaches told me to...
