Islanders.com PREVIEW:

Back home for the first time in over a week and a half, it is going to feel good when the Islanders step onto the Nassau Coliseum ice to not just “technically” play a home game but know that THIS is where the team and its loyal fans want them to be. The Islanders will skate out tonight lead by returning veterans Brendan Witt and Mark Streit and will be joined by several pieces of the organization’s future in John Tavares and Calvin de Haan.

The Islanders received goals from Josh Bailey and Andy Sutton last night as they played to a 4-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings. Nathan Lawson started his second preseason game for the Islanders making 21 saves on 25 shots in the loss. The Kings’ goal scorers were Teddy Purcell, Drew Doughty and Wayne Simmonds who had two tallies including a shorthanded goal in the second period. The Islanders are now 2-3-1 in the preseason while the Kings improved to 3-1-1.

New Jersey has only played one preseason game as opposed to the six that the Islanders have already played, mostly in Western Canada. The Devils took on the New York Rangers on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Prudential Center. After going up 2-0 on David Clarkson’s first and second tallies of the season through the first 40 minutes of play, the Rangers stormed back in the third. Matt Gilroy broke former Islander Yann Danis’ shutout bid 3:31 into the period while on the power-play and Jordan Owens would tie the game at two about seven minutes later. The contest would go to overtime and an eventual shootout where Devils’ forwards Zach Parise and Travis Zajac scored to give New Jersey a 3-2 victory.

Crossing the River: Two former Islanders from last season found their way to New Jersey this offseason. Yann Danis, one of the staples in goal for the Islanders last season was signed by the Devils to most likely backup Martin Brodeur. Center-man Ben Walter was traded over the summer from the Islanders to the Devils in exchange for Tony Romano.

Double Duty: Several Players who were on the flight back from Kansas City last night (or should I say this morning) will dress for the Islanders tonight. Josh Bailey, Jeff Tambellini, Dustin Kohn and Micheal Haley got back to the hotel early this morning and will most likely take the hours counting up to face-off to rest.

First Rounders: Tonight will mark the first time that both of the Islanders two first round draft choices from this summer, John Tavares and Calvin de Haan play at the Nassau Coliseum. The two were former teammates with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL last season before Tavares was traded to the London Knights mid-way through the year.

Big Shoes to Fill: The Devils lost two key players that were a big part of the organization’s 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup Championship teams. Brian Gionta who was a mainstay on New Jersey’s top-line combination, signed with the Montreal Canadiens back in July. Checking line center, John Madden who was counted on through his 10 years with the Devils to win big face-offs and shut down an opposing team’s top players signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.

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:isles:

Any idea if it is going to be streamed online tonight?

Better than that it's going to be televised on MSG+, at least that's what my Cable TV listings says.

if u can't get it on the tube try here:
http://www.rajangan.net/

LETS DO THIS :punk: :punk: :punk: :punk:

It's definitely on MSG+ tonight, no question.

I'm there, who is buying the first round? :cheers:

We're dressing a good lineup tonight or what?

what?

I LIKE BIRONS MASK
I THINK I'VE SEEN SOMETHING REAL CLOSE TO IT BEFORE :yes:

This is the first time I've been able to see the team on TV....

Snoozer of a first period. They're missing a lot of guys tonight but good to see some play from Martin, Tavares, DeHaan.

They let Streit fight?????????????????
:nono:

HE DIDNT HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE

True. Well, then lets cause Langenbrunner some pain.

IT IS NICE HEARING ANNOUNCERS PRONOUNCING NAMES RIGHT
I SWEAR THOSE WEST COAST GAMES WERE SENT IN CODE

Yeah. Mart-ti-neck and Bir(some french sounding auw)

THE BEST WAS YO-ANSUE

WHO THE HELL IS SUE :dontknow:

is anyone watching it online? if you are could you please send the link

come on guys hit some one :angrier:

Moulson has to make the team....end of story

FINAL

Devils 4
Islanders 2
:disgraced:

the isles intro video is as lame as ever before.. the music does not get you or try to rile you up at all..

at least he goal horns not tooting lets go islanders....

Couple things...

I thought JT looked tentative. He is obviously finding his way. That move down the right side with the shot was a thing of beauty and it just went wide. He can move in traffic. He has to move hs feet more, it is like he is not reacting he is just going with the flow. Anyway, first time I saw the team this year and it was not too bad. Can't really get excited or disappointed in what I saw.

And those golf commercials are a hoot!

A real snooze fest last night.

Some bright spots certainly has to be; Moulson, this guy shows emotion, strength and a nose for the net. I like that he was a neighbor of JT and it looked like they were real relaxed on the bench together. Then there was Calvin deHaan. Now here's a teenager who will be in the lineup opening night. Poise, control and great vision.

On the downside, what game was Brendan Witt playing cause it certainly wasnt NHL hockey. In one word you could describe his play....SUCKED. He was slow, couldn't move the puck, didn't play physical and couldn't get to a loose puck. How many years left in his contract? Hope he retires or Garth can move his ass out of town.

I was at the game... EMPTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moulson definitely has to make the team along with Mauldin. I dont know why but I like this guy. He was all over the ice, throwing his body around and he is fast! plenty times the puck was deep in the devils zone and where 95% of the nhl would let it go he gave chase caught up and even got a few shots off too. DeHaan looked good! Taveres looked ok, made a couple of bad plays right up the middle that im surprised the rest of the Coliseum didnt hear me bitching hahahaha. Other than than I dont think we played bad. When we shoot tho, we gotta learn to HIT THE F@CKING NET!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't agree more. Witt looks like an aging defenseman who is on his last gasps of NHL hockey. I like the fact that Moulson is always around the net. BTW, we really could use Hilbert on the PK.

Shooter, dont get me started about Hilbert, as we have to live with Thompson this season. :angrier:

But he's great on the faceoffs & drops the gloves..... :rolleyes:

I hope some guys step-up but the PK might be a big sore spot this season.

It's obviously a Gordon decision, and a terrible one at that.

Devils 4, Islanders 2

John Tavares' first NHL game (albeit preseason) at the Coliseum.
He looked good on faceoffs, but his timing with the puck when NOT 1-on-1 will most likely be worked on. Same for de Haan who again shows good hockey sense but timing, even against partial NHL rosters is way off. Several times we saw them try to stick handle a little too much before moving the puck only to have it deflected and in JT's case, taken away for a couple of scoring opportunities against.
At least youth is their excuse.

Brendan Witt? Heck, beginning of the 2nd period, 1st shift, he made 3 brutal mistakes, giveaway along the boards, caught out of position and missing his man down low that led to a few scoring chances against. He grew his hair longer but he is NO Sampson. I said it 2 years ago, I said it last year and I'll say it again. Nice guy, no great guy but not as a top 4 on a rebuilding team.

Moulson, what can you say. What heart and hands. I'd like to see him be rewarded till our injured players get back, then have him sent down to muscle up. Love Martin courage. Keeper.
Biron saved the game from being a 7-2 debacle.

Lastly, while the game and the flow was rather sloppy. Calvin de Haan ahs been one of the guys I've keyed on watching all the web feeds and last night. Great draft pick but I have to take umbrage with some fellow fans who are throwing out the "what do you think of Garth Snow's pick now" nonsense.

It's not the drafting of de Haan that some of us objected to. It was what we gave up to draft him where we did. That will never go away.

BIRON

SMITH

Andy's still not listed anywhere on the Wild site (although he did play against the B.J.'s last Monday nite).

Maybe there's a chance he can come back to the Island........ :letssee:

well, maybe witt is trying to improve on that -34 for this year :rofl:

I love that mask!!!!! If i get a chance to see Biron at Iceworks I want to ask if I can i buy it from him after the season.. with his signature of course. Of course Im serious too! :punk:

Well unless you have some sort of season plan you won't be seeing Biron at Iceworks....practice is no longer open to the public. :puke:

I WAS LIKE STOP THE PRESSES
I'VE SEEN THAT BEFORE
NOW I WISH SOMEONE WOULD ASK HIM ABOUT IT