A WIN! A WIN!

Capitals 3: Islanders 5

CAN IT BE????

YES, IT CAN!!!

This game started amid some serious frustrations. First was the issues I had with Gamecenter Live. Now, I know I'm a subscriber, and I JUST got GCL two weeks ago. But apparently, nhl.com was under the impression that I was not one. So I ended up spending about 45 minutes trying to figure it out. I missed the Capitals' second goal, plus Frans Nielsen's goal that broke the Islanders' scoreless streak and made the 2-0 Caps lead, 2-1.

But FINALLY I was able to shake the website out of its stupor and log back in to see the rest, and oh, how good it was. It's a funny thing about the Islanders- they always manage to play a seriously good game against teams that are projected way above them in the standings, no matter how they do against teams at or below their "level," so to speak. And show up they did against Washington after giving up a 2-0 lead. After Nielsen, Brian Rolston benefited from one of Nielsen's spot-on cross ice passes to boom a shot through Tomas Vokoun's five-hole, tying it up at 2. Then, carrying that momentum, Matt Martin's line crashed the net, and Martin ended up burying one to make it a brief 3-2 lead.

Brooks Laich shot a laser past Rick DiPietro's glove to tie it up again, but for the Caps, who had a 4 goal-per-game average forced coming into this game, that would be it. Every single Islander on the ice played a wonderful defensive game to make sure Washington did not get comfortable in their zone. And DiPietro, who made 25 saves, even got an assist on the night- he banked the puck off the boards to John Tavares, who potted the empty-net goal to seal it for Long Island. Not bad for a guy whom the fans were calling for backup Al Montoya to replace at the end of the first period, eh? In all seriousness, though, I think Ricky did the best he could. There's not much you CAN do when the offense isn't scoring-all of the pressure is then placed on you as a goalie, as well as the defense in front of you. Yes, maybe one goal could have been avoided, but that doesn't take away from the fact that there is more than just a goalie out there. At least tonight, it began to look like it.

P-A Parenteau and Frans Nielsen also had great games for the Islanders, earning the first and second stars (respectively) of the night. Parenteau had a three-point night and was a +3 after being moved to a line with Nielsen and Brian Rolston, who (no coincidence) each had at least one point. Nielsen scored both a goal and an assist as well, and that second line was in fact the best line on the ice for the Isles. It makes sense, since each of these guys is so hardworking and great with the puck. We all know about Nielsen's two-way abilities as well, but one cannot overlook how good Parenteau is both with and away from the puck. He covers the ice very well and works very hard to get to the puck along the boards, showing (especially this season, and especially tonight) that perhaps it wasn't just teammates Matt Moulson and Tavares who were the reasons for his 20-goal, 53-point season last year (though of course it helps to have those guys with you).

Lastly... I just loved watching the guys grouping up to receive the stars of the game. Mark Streit asked the team to do that after wins at home, which I think is a great move; it conveys a real sense of solidarity. And after going winless in six, seeing them so happy and excited to celebrate a much-needed two points did give me the warm and fuzzies. :) Now it's on the road for a week to face Boston (who trashed Toronto tonight, 7-0) and Colorado, as well as Vancouver. We shall see how far this win will take them- and of course, while they can't dwell, they can certainly try and keep up the great play they had tonight.

LET'S GO ISLES! :D Nice to see a win for a change!