Tavares' one-timer practice pays off
Trainer Garrett Timms walks John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders off the ice after his injury in the game against the Dallas Stars at the Nassau Coliseum. (Oct. 9, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
John Tavares spent a portion of his summer conducting on-ice workouts at home in Ontario, shooting one-timers. It was something he thought was lacking in his game his rookie season.
"In this league, you have to be able to get your shot away quickly," he said.
So Tavares' one-timer for the game-winning goal in overtime in Toronto on Monday was a welcome event. He said he got more than a few text messages from his friends back home who watched him working on his shot over the summer, and plenty of people around the Islanders noticed, too.
"Straight cheese," said Kyle Okposo, who was at the Coliseum on Tuesday with his arm still in a sling from his recent shoulder surgery.
"It was one of the best shots I've seen him take," Scott Gordon said. "It was good to see him get a hold of one."
Tavares and the Islanders headed to Florida yesterday for a two-game swing through the state, beginning tonight in Tampa. The 20-year-old center has had two solid games, his first two back after missing all but the first five minutes of the opener with a concussion.
The OT winner on Monday near his hometown of Oakville - plus a tremendous assist on Matt Moulson's second-period goal, when Tavares flicked the puck without taking a second to control it onto Moulson's stick - gave him goals in two straight games.
"He looks even better than he did in training camp," Gordon said. "He's moving well and making good decisions. He's more sure of himself."
With all the injuries dotting the roster, Tavares healthy and confident makes a big difference for a team that is off to a 3-1-2 start. Now, he just needs to learn to expect better results from his one-timers.
"I didn't really look up to see where it went," he said. "When I saw everyone coming at me off the bench, I figured out it ended up being a pretty good shot."
Notes & quotes: Josh Bailey cleared up some confusion about his injury: It's a hip pointer, not a hip flexor strain. Bailey hopes to play tonight even though he missed practice for a second straight day. . . . F Trent Hunter (foot) practiced and will be a game-time decision.
