Nothing like a bounce-back win to give you a boost in confidence and the standings.
Don't let the scoreboard fool you; the Islanders absolutely dominated for about 98% of this game (or 55 minutes out of 60, however you want to look at it).
From the get-go, the Isles looked poised and very much in control. They were always attacking, constantly applying pressure and their transition game was about as good as it's been since this rebuild began.
Twice, an Islander forward was on the receiving end of a spectacular long pass, and on both occasions, the play resulted in a goal.
Mark Streit found Michael Grabner, begging for the puck at the blueline, and the speedster darted in on Lightning goaltender Anders Lindback. Grabner faked to his right then back to his left, tucking the biscuit past Lindback for a power play goal of the highlight-reel variety. Grabner's tally put the Islanders ahead, 1-0.
If his performance last season suggested that Grabner didn't know how to finish, his start to this one would suggest he's fixed that problem.
Speaking of Grabner, he was strong on the penalty-kill as well, con ...
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Article written by Daniel Friedman
NYI 4, TBL 3: Islanders Survive Late Scare, Bolt Past Tampa Bay
January 22nd, 2013 by Daniel Friedman Leave a reply »
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