No one wishes to be negative all the time.
I remember in the great old days the Isles would struggle for a bunch of games, then win, and Al Arbour would unload on them.
The New York Islanders won a skills contest and will be credited with a win.
When teams win/lose shootouts, it seems many of the games are written up like the club that won/lost was great/terrible.
Some good things happened for New York in this game. MacDonald's defensive efforts were special, Streit's pp goal (Moulson pick notwithstanding), some efforts by Ullstrom, one hit by Jurcina to spring a rush.
Hamonic just would not quit on any play, Streit also.
Still the biggest takeaway for NYIFC watching this game was how a Montreal team that played the night before (poorly by their own account) outhit/out-skated New York in the third period, and for a good part of the game overall despite the Isles strong second period.
This is the 14th place team, coming off a poor effort, playing the night before, starting it's backup.
Granted any team can beat another on any given day in this league.
Montoya looked unplayable early and got lucky the first shot that got through his pads went wide, he did not see some shots late either, but he hung in and got better as the game wore on. I believe that's the first shootout win he's posted here.
Don't ask me why David Ullstrom was on right wing and Bailey was on left wing. For the good chances Reasoner did generate, he should sit for Tavares, Bailey, Nielsen, Cizikas down the middle until there is an injury/same for Pandolfo.
I liked what I saw from Niederreiter, so much that I'm wondering why not give him some shifts with Tavares? Okposo was trying to play physical, the fastest he moved all night was when someone hit Streit after a whistle and Okposo threw a punch which was great.
Okposo's missed open net early, his marginal penalty, not so good.
What was Grabner doing in overtime with that pass back in his own end around the boards that looked like a Montreal forward dump-in? Was hoping to see some speed after he looked quick on some rushes against Philadelphia.
The club has something to feel good about for a few days.
I guess Jack Capuano did not know in the ten minute postgame, Peter Ruttgaizer, was asking about how the Isles defense played during the late/ot penalty kill? Capuano started taking about the Canadians skill?
Mr Ruttgaizer did not seem to understand the Bell Center has never been the home to a Montreal Canadians championship as he went on about the rich history in the building.