Nashville Predators find easy prey in New York Islanders beating them 3-1 - NHL Update
Nashville Predators did not wait around a single moment as three first period goals ensured a comfortable 3-1 victory over the inconsistent New York Islanders, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
The Predators extended their winning run to five games in a row and have won six of their previous seven games as their great form has taken them up to the sixth spot in the Western Conference, with a 26-15-4 record, just four points separating them from
conference leaders, St. Louis Blues.
"We knew we had to be ready", Nashville's captain, Shea Weber, said.
"We're playing pretty good hockey right now, so if we continue to do that, things will be going well for us".
Predators’ goaltender, Pekka Rinne was in great form and continued his brilliant performance like in his previous encounters, since he made 36 saves against the Islanders and just missed out on his fourth shutout of the season, as the Islanders scored a
late consolation goal in the third period.
Islanders' inconsistent performance has been their bane this year and it was no different this time around. New York came into the game with a big 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres but were below par against Nashville as they slumped to the bottom of the
Eastern Conference on equal points with Tampa Bay Lightning, but ahead due to fewer losses.
Nashville had to wait just two minutes to break the deadlock, as they started the first period on fire. The Islanders looked shell shocked.
Sergei Kostitsyn scored his 11th goal of the season to put Predators up by 1-0.
The Islanders could not get the puck out of their own half and the Predators took full advantage as three minutes later, Matt Halischuk scored after his shot deflected off an Islanders’ defenseman’s stick.
Islanders’ goaltender, Kevin Poulin’s nightmare was not over yet and David Legwand put the game to bed, scoring at 11:37 as he put his team ahead by three goals.
Poulin made 29 saves during the game and was jeered by the home crowd for being unable to contain the Predators' offence.
Islanders' coach, Jack Capuano was not too pleased with his players' first period efforts.
"I don't think we started slow. We mismanaged the puck", Capuano said. "We made soft plays and they capitalized".
With the Predators up by 3-0 and looking comfortable, Islanders tried to make a comeback but could not get past a determined Rinne, again flawless in front of the goal.
Rinne kept the Islanders' offence out throughout the second period as the Predators remained content to defend and only attacked on counter.
However, the Predators' goalie could not get a deserved shutout as the Islanders finally managed a goal in the third period at 16:02 through John Tavares but it was too late for the Islanders to take any meaningful advantage.
"It was like we didn't wake up on time", Tavares said.
The Predators will now face a stern test against the Islanders rivals, the New York Rangers at the Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, while New York will travel to Washington to face the Capitals.
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