Islanders 4, Caps 3
Again, probably a game the Caps should have won. The problem with saying that, of course, is they usually have won these types of games so far in 2009-10. They were 8-2-2 for a reason. But Washington allowed a late goal in the second period. It whiffed on two power-play opportunities in the third – although that was due as much to Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson (37 saves) as anything else. Once it went to overtime, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau implored his team to cover the point. He figured a New York team that keeps losing in overtime or the shootout would go for the win. And they did just that when rookie John Tavares – is he really just 18? – found Mark Streit charging up into the slot. He boomed a shot past Caps goalie Jose Theodore for the win just 53 seconds into overtime.
Boudreau said before the game that the Islanders – given their work ethic – were a tough team to play against. Media members didn’t really believe it. New York was one of the league’s worst teams last season and other than that top line, the Islanders lack much in the way of skill. Maybe his own players didn’t buy it either – even after last week’s difficult overtime win.
“They work and they’re a good team. They have lost one [game] in their last six regulations. They’ve gotten points in eight out of their 12 games. You guys can spin it anyway you want. They’ve got only three wins [entering the night], but if they can avoid injuries they’ll be a team that is going to be reckoned with in their division.”
New York has set an NHL record with seven overtime games played before Nov. 1. The Islanders are now 2-5 in those games.
Give credit to Caps goalie Jose Theodore (26 saves on 30 New York shots). Yes, he allowed four goals and the first one by Kyle Okposo he’d probably want back. Maybe even goal No. 3 by Frans Nielsen late in the second period. But Theodore also made a handful of sparkling stops and kept the game tied at 3 in the third. If the Caps pot an extra power-play goal like they should have then Theodore goes home a winner. He really wasn’t the problem tonight. Also a nice night for center Keith Aucoin, who assisted on Alex Ovechkin’s first-period goal. That marks a fifth game in a row that Aucoin has recorded a point and that is a career high for the 30-year-old Waltham, Mass. native. He really doesn’t want to go back to Hershey.
Defenseman Mike Green extended his point streak to eight games with a pair of assists. Unfortunately, he also whiffed on a clearing attempt in the second period and that led directly to Nielsen’s first goal. Green could only stare at the Verizon Center ceiling in disgust as he skated back towards the bench.
That’s it for now. Will check back with you in the morning from Kettler Iceplex. Caps have an 11:30 a.m. practice and afterwards Boudreau will sign copies of his autobiography for fans on the mezzanine level.
