New York Islanders ease past Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1 – NHL Update
Evgeni Nabokov completed a shutout against Washington Capitals to give his team a victory in last game. He could not replicate his performance against Philadelphia Flyers, but made 40 saves, ensuring New York Islanders victory, 4-1, in the National Hockey
League (NHL) game on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at the Wells Fargo Center.
One might not want to believe it, but the reality remains that the Flyers were helpless throughout the game. In the final period, they managed to score a goal, before which the Islanders had already struck three.
The Islanders have ended a long drought after this victory. They have beaten the Flyers on the latter’s home-ice after April, 2007.
"It was a good feeling, we haven't much success, it's been since '07, I think, in April, the last time the Islanders have won here," Islanders coach, Jack Capuano, said.
"We played hard, but they came in the third and they came in waves, and I thought Nabby (Nabokov) was real good, but again, special teams were a big part of tonight's game with the short-handed goal and the power-play goal late. We played (the Flyers) pretty
good at home and we didn't get the results, and it was good for the guys to get rewarded," he added.
The first period of the game did not witness any scoring move, but the lack of drama in the period was compensated by two goals in second and three in the third.
John Tavares carried the puck early in the second period, to the opponent’s end zone. He took the puck as wells as all the traffic behind the net, and sent a pass from there to Matt Moulson, who was wide open and faced no problem in scoring the goal.
Despite being shorthanded, the Islanders doubled after around 12 minutes. Josh Bailey collected a free puck, and skated from midway through to the net. He dodged the goalie and chipped the puck into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
The Islanders increased the lead once again. This time they had a power-play advantage, and Mark Streit scored at 7:07 to add to Flyers’ worries.
The Flyers’ lessened their burden after around three minutes when Matt Read scored.
Sean Couturier provided assist to Read, who fired a shot from right circle, beating Nabokov for his 14th goal of the season.
But the Islanders were in a mood to destroy the Flyers. As if the two-goal lead was not enough, Michael Grabner scored an empty-net goal in the final minute of the period to taking the score to 4-1.
The Islanders still have to strive to qualify for the playoffs, but their impressive performance has clearly showed that they are capable of improving their record.
The Islanders will play their next game against Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, January 21, while the Flyers will face New Jersey Devils on the same day.
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