http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/teams/new_york_islanders/93 Recent articles about New York Islanders en-us Forget the rumors with Evgeni Nabokov. The New York Islanders are getting the most goalie miles out of him Nabokov, who becomes an UFA after this season. The controversy from last season doesn’t matter anymore. It’s in the past now. Al Montoya, shown in this file photo, becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season. Are the Islanders interested in keeping him around? What’s curious about the Islanders ring of goalies this year is that Al Montoya also becomes a UFA after this season. He’s less attractive to the Islanders at this point, due to his inconsistency since coming back from a concussion. He’s also relatively cheap at $600,000 this year. Would he deserve much more next year? Nabokov sure deserves more than his $570,000. The Islanders are stuck with Rick DiPietro’s contract, and they also have Kevin Poulin to entertain. Poulin is the Isles’ most talented youngster, Lighthouse Hockey argues. As for Ray Emery, the Blackhawks signe... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:37:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/could_al_montoya_become_next_chicago_blackhawks_backup/9861859 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/could_al_montoya_become_next_chicago_blackhawks_backup/9861859 Could Al Montoya become next Chicago Blackhawks backup? http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/could_al_montoya_become_next_chicago_blackhawks_backup/9861859 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/2/024f0ac9549ba188615ff63e422cdebad6d1f737/mini/Phoenix_Coyotes_v_095a.jpg from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, “Yeah, we have a lot of belief in that locker room,” Isles GM Garth Snow told ESPN.com Wednesday. “Within the last few weeks, we’ve really turned it up a notch as a team. Our specialty teams have improved. We’re just looking forward to the next game.” Veteran netminder Evgeni Nabokov has been lights-out of late. He’s slated for unrestricted free agency July 1, which is why his name is often floated in trade rumors, but that’s not what Snow has in mind at this point. “We have no intention of moving Evgeni,” Snow said. “He’s been great for us. His performance speaks for itself.” There haven’t been any contract talks between the Islanders and Nabokov’s camp, but it’s not out of the question down the road. “Yeah, we’d consider all options, we’re just not at that point yet,” said Snow. “We just finished [signing] Frans [Nielsen] and... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:14:10 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/garth_snow_has_no_intention_of_moving_nabokov/9855775 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/garth_snow_has_no_intention_of_moving_nabokov/9855775 Garth Snow Has No Intention Of Moving Nabokov http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/garth_snow_has_no_intention_of_moving_nabokov/9855775 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/2/d22f75e0d121caf71b8b76449501e5561cc2d7fe/mini/florida-panthers-new-york.jpg The Flyers did a lot of good things in their game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, but just couldn't bury a goal in regulation or overtime to claim two points instead of one. Last night, Philly built on the performance by controlling the majority of play and skating off with a 4-3 regulation win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was very important psychologically for the Flyers to get... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:13:34 -0500 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42037 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42037 Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/10/12 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/bill_meltzer_meltzers_musings_21012/9854506 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Max Pacioretty had three goals, Scott Gomez netted his first in more than a year, and the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Islanders 4-2 on Thursday night for their third straight win. Pacioretty scored in all three periods, and the Canadiens (22-24-9) moved one point ahead of the Islanders (22-23-8) in the tightly packed non-playoff section of the Eastern Conference. Carey Price made 31 saves for his fifth win in seven games. The Islanders scored twice in the last three minutes of the third period, but couldn't get even. Pacioretty scored his 20th goal of the season at 1:23 on a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle, beating goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who was coming off a 45-save shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Erik Cole had the assist Pacioretty, a first-round draft pick by the Canadiens in 2007, made it 2-0 at 9:30 of the second period. He completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal with 1 second left in the game. Gomez, who hadn't scored in 24 games this season and since last Feb. 5 overall, tallied 9:50 into the third period with assists to defensemen Rafael Diaz and Chris Campoli. Matt Moulson made it 3-1 with 2:41 remaining on a power play, with an assist from John Tavares, who earned the 100th helper of his NHL career. Islanders captain and defenseman Mark Streit made it 3-2 just 48 seconds later, but the Islanders couldn't muster the tying goal after pulling Nabokov for an extra skater. Price improved to 20-19-8 this season. It was the first time that Montreal has won three straight games since a season-best, four-game spurt from Oct. 26-Nov. 4. The Canadiens had home wins earlier this week over Winnipeg and Pittsburgh. The Islanders are 6-2-2 in their last 10 and 11-6-2 in the past 19. Nabokov had won seven of nine outings, allowing one goal or fewer in six of those decisions. The game was the third of four meetings between the teams. The Islanders won 4-3 at home on Nov. 17, and the Canadiens earned a 5-3 victory on Dec. 13 in Montreal. NOTES: The Canadiens are two wins away from 3,200 in franchise history. . The Islanders have scored 9,998 goals in their history, dating to 1972. . Last season, the Islanders were 15-12-6 after the All-Star break. They are 3-1-1 this season since the break. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:13:40 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/canadiens_4_islanders_2/9851911 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/canadiens_4_islanders_2/9851911 Canadiens 4, Islanders 2 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/canadiens_4_islanders_2/9851911 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/c/5cf819132b63e16c909665efdc74371d42a2cc0a/mini/Montreal_Canadiens_v_d719.jpg from Scott Burnside of ESPN, An amiable sort, Parenteau said he never doubted his ability to contribute at this level, even though his path has been dotted by more than a few road blocks. “It’s been a long road,” he said. “But I’m a pretty confident guy.” Obviously getting a chance to play with guys such as John Tavares, also a good friend of Parenteau’s, and Matt Moulson hasn’t hurt. “When I make a nice play around here, it doesn’t get wasted,” Parenteau said. Now here’s where it gets interesting for the Isles, who this week signed forward Frans Nielsen to a four-year contract extension worth $11 million. Nielsen has 25 points, or roughly half those collected by Parenteau, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Sources familiar with the negotiations say that the team has yet to begin discussions about extending Parenteau, but with the Islanders crawling back into the edge of the playoff ... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:01 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_need_to_keep_pa_parenteau/9847837 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_need_to_keep_pa_parenteau/9847837 Islanders Need To Keep P.A. Parenteau http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/islanders_need_to_keep_pa_parenteau/9847837 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I have come across some stuff on Twitter and the Philadelphia Flyers Facebook page after last night’s game blaming the loss on netminder Ilya Bryzgalov.  People are pointing out his performance in the shootout last night which the New York Islanders took 2-0 to win the game 1-0. Bryz earned his 25th career shutout and is the third player to reach that milestone in a Flyers uni, the other two are Martin Biron and the legendary Bernie Parent.  Even though I have been one of Bryz’s most vocal critics, there is no way I can blame him for the loss. The reason the Flyers lost last night is because of Evgeni Nabokov.  He was simply stellar in net and is the sole reason the Islanders won.  The Flyers  had plenty of chances of last night 86 in all 45 shots on goal, 24 shots were blocked, and 17 missed the net.  ”We didn’t score tonight. It wasn’t from the lack of trying, it didn’t go in the net,” said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.  ”It is one ... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:49:22 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/ilya_bryzgalov_is_not_the_reason_the_philadelphia_flyers_lost_to_the_new_york_islanders/9829735 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/ilya_bryzgalov_is_not_the_reason_the_philadelphia_flyers_lost_to_the_new_york_islanders/9829735 Ilya Bryzgalov is Not the Reason the Philadelphia Flyers Lost to the New York Islanders http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/ilya_bryzgalov_is_not_the_reason_the_philadelphia_flyers_lost_to_the_new_york_islanders/9829735 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/5/65d269104faf4cd863cac33477b90f5cc7e9cf9c/mini/Phoenix_Coyotes_v_20c1.jpg New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $11 million, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported on Tuesday. The Islanders confirmed Nielsen signed an extension and detailed that an official announcement will be made on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Nielsen was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Prior to Tuesday's contest against the Atlantic Division rival Philadelphia Flyers, Nielsen has collected nine goals, 16 assists and two penalty minutes this season. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:10:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_islanders_nielsen_agrees_to_four_year_extension/9822847 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_islanders_nielsen_agrees_to_four_year_extension/9822847 Report: Islanders' Nielsen agrees to four-year extension http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_islanders_nielsen_agrees_to_four_year_extension/9822847 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/5/e505e825d1b9fd3f14502f25748703b9edb77478/mini/Montreal_Canadiens_v_3eb5.jpg Evgeni Nabokov turned aside a season-high 45 shots and Frans Nielsen and John Tavares scored in the shootout as the New York Islanders defeated the Flyers 1-0 on Tuesday for their second straight victory in Philadelphia after dropping the previous 13 games. Nabokov recorded his second shutout of the season and 52nd of his career and also stopped Danny Briere and Wayne Simmonds in the shootout. The Flyers and Islanders exchanged plenty of chances but were unable to come up with any goals after 65 minutes, largely because of the goaltending by Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov. Nabokov’s biggest save came in the middle frame when he made a diving stop on Max Talbot's tip-in attempt. He also stopped All-Stars Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell a half-dozen times apiece. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:10:33 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/isles_nabokov_stops_season_high_45_shots_tips_flyers/9822808 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/isles_nabokov_stops_season_high_45_shots_tips_flyers/9822808 Isles' Nabokov stops season-high 45 shots, tips Flyers http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/isles_nabokov_stops_season_high_45_shots_tips_flyers/9822808 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/9/695e8fbd271485a120ecb388e05dd2311ca97372/mini/San_Jose_Sharks_aadd.jpg 11:21 am: Dylan Reese has been diagnosed with a left MCL knee sprain. It is estimated he will miss 4 - 6 weeks. At six weeks, that's mid March. The Isles are at the Coliseum today at Noon for media availability. Two guesses who CAN'T get there today? Yep. Okay. We'll rely on Newsday's Art Staple for any important info. 9 am: Frans Nielsen always seemed like the most unlikely hockey... Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:58:13 -0500 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=41977 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=41977 Dee Karl: A Big Win & a Big Signing & Reese update 11:20 am http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/dee_karl_a_big_win_a_big_signing_reese_update_1120_am/9822700 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Islanders have locked up Frans Nielsen to 4-year, $11 million deal according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Last month a Danish website reported they were close to re-signing the Danish center. According to McKenzie, Nielsen’s cap annual cap hit will only be $2.75 million. With his year-by-year salary breaking down as follows: $2 million, $2.5 million, $3 million and $3.5 million. In 51 games for the Islanders this season Nielsen has 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points. He scored two goals and an assist on Saturday night against buffalo and is on pace for a 39 point season. With Nielsen re-signed it’s highly unlikely that he will be moved before or at the trade deadline. The deal will be made official tomorrow. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:48:56 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/frans_nielsen_re_signed_for_4_years_11_million/9823927 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/frans_nielsen_re_signed_for_4_years_11_million/9823927 Frans Nielsen Re-signed for 4 Years, $11 Million http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/frans_nielsen_re_signed_for_4_years_11_million/9823927 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/a/4aecc96e043a50aead34315853252f5d1291e535/mini/Edmonton_Oilers_v_654a.jpg PREVIEW 7:30 AM Looking to get back on their feet after two ugly divisional losses, the Flyers (30-16-6) begin another challenging week of games with a meeting against the improved New York Islanders (21-22-8). Tonight's game at the Wells Fargo Center starts at 7 PM and will be broadcast on CSN Philly. This is the fourth of six meetings between the teams this year, and the second of three in... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:20:34 -0500 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=41947 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=41947 Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/7/12 vs. Islanders http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/bill_meltzer_flyers_gameday_2712_vs_islanders/9804958 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Monday is usually an off day for the New York Ranger and New York Islanders prospects but not this week. This is going to be a very busy week but for many prospect a very important week that could be a factor in how the season winds up. But first things first as this week's New York Ranger prospect of week. For us the choice was kind of made for us as Shane McColgan (NYR 2011 fifth) of the Kelowna Rockets was the only Ranger prospect had a good week. McColgan only had a 2-2-4 performance in two games last week but his points were key to his Kelowna Rockets winning both games on the road in Prince George. On Friday night McColgan only had one goal, but it was the game-winning goal as the Rockets earned a 2-1 win, while McColgan was named the game's third star. Saturday night, it was McColgan with a three point effort helping his Rockets earned a 4-1 win. With a goal and two assists, McColgan was named game's First Star in helping the Rockets sweep the two-game series. Those wins have enabled the Rockets to build up a six-game unbeaten streak and raise the team record to above 500. In 19 games remaining in their regular-season and trailing 5th place, Vancouver by 11 points, it does not seem as if the Rockets will be able to catch them. But getting on a roll now could help McColgan and his teammates possibly pull off a first-round playoff upset. McColgan: for the season is now 15-38-53 which leads the Rockets and has McColgan third among the Ranger prospects. This was a good one because we are not sure how the communication breakdown happened but we missed reporting that Chris Kreider (NYR 2009 first) had earned a share of the Hockey East player of the week for the week ending January 30, 2012. Kreider had a five point weekend against New Hampshire (2-3-5) starring with a 1-2-3 Friday night where his goal was shorthanded one and he followed it up Saturday night with a goal and an assist. Kreider leads Boston College in scoring with a 16-14-30. All of this is a nice lead-in to the annual Beanpot tournament, which got underway Monday evening with Boston College facing Northeastern. What we love about this annual tournament is that Chris Kreider will provide us with a heart stopping highlight reel goal. It didn't come out of Monday's game as Kreider was scoreless in fourth-ranked Boston College's 7-1 rout of Northeastern. It was good effort by Kreider, who was active, perhaps maybe a little too active since he was hit with a roughing and hitting from behind minors in this game. But we'll take that kind of night from him because like we said the key to Chris Kreider is going to be him getting off no less than four shots a game. When does things like that. It means Boston College has a better chance of winning. Oh, and I'm pretty sure that Chris Kreider, as well as his Boston College teammates Monday's Beanpot final all circled on the calendar since it will be against Boston University. Boston University has so far owned Boston College on the ice this year beating him badly this is for the Beanpot. We also have a bit of bad news as Kirill Kabanov (NYI 2010 third) suffered a concussion Saturday during the game with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Not good news for the young Russian as we believe this is his second confirmed concussion in the last two years. We don't know how long he's going to be out, but we have hope that Shawinigan will not rush him back to the lineup. Kabanov is a really good kid whose work really hard at changing his ways and becoming a good person. The Islanders need a healthy Kabanov because his personality and his willingness to interact with fans will do a lot to help the Islander franchise rebuild their fan base. Brendan Kichton (NYI 2011 fifth) has become one of our favorite prospects to watch this season. As we've said before, he's not the biggest dog on the blueline, but we can see him helping the Islanders in the next few years. For one thing, he does know how to quarterback a powerplay something the Islanders could use. Monday night Kichton's Spokane Chiefs were hosting the Seattle Thunderbirds and yes, Kichton was a difference maker. Kichton had a one goal, +3 effort to help Spokane earn a 7-3 win over the Thunderbirds. Kichton's goal was a killer as it came on the power play with the score tied 2-2. With just 5 seconds remaining on the power play, Kichton blasted one from the right face-off circle to give Spokane a 3-2 lead at 19:37. Spokane did not trail again in this game, but it was also a record-setting goal for Kichton. It was Kichton's 41st career goal was Spokane and he became the all-time leading goal scorer among defensemen in Spokane history. It's a well-deserved honor for Kichton, but I'm pretty sure he will tell us that the two points that the Chiefs gained was more important. Kichton improves to 13-41-54 on the season, tops among all WHL defensmen, but more importantly for the Chiefs the win gave them sole possession of fourth place in the WHL's Western Conference. Tuesday Tuesday While the Rangers will be taken on the Devils, it will be a rare busy night for us. The big game is going to take place in Chilliwack where Steven Fogarty (NYR 2011 third) and his Penticton Vees will be attempting to make BCHL history. Fogarty and company will be going with it 30th consecutive win. And if you're interested, the game will start at 10 PM Eastern/ 7 PM Pacific and you can listen in for free here. It won't be high-tech but it is hockey from the heart. Tuesday will also feature Christian Thomas and his Oshawa Generals taking on the Peterborough Petes featuring Andrew Yogan and Peter Ceresnak. That game is going to be for sixth place in the OHL's Eastern Conference; the Petes currently own it with a one-point lead over the Generals. In the OHL's Western Conference, it will be Islander prospect Andrey Pedan and his Guelph Storm trying to break out of the three-game losing streak and try to catch up to 7th place Windsor with a trail by four points, but have four games in hand on. (McColgan- Kelowna Rockets, Kreider- Dennis Pause, Kabanov- Shawinigan Cataractes, Kichton- Spokane Chiefs) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:09:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/a_busy_week_with_a_strange_start/9804082 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/a_busy_week_with_a_strange_start/9804082 A busy week with a strange start http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/a_busy_week_with_a_strange_start/9804082 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The New York Islanders gained one valuable point to add to their aspiring playoff push after regulation time expired with the game tied at three goals apiece on Saturday night at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. However, the New York Islanders lost more than a second point on Saturday night in the eventual shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The New York Islanders lost a player more valuable to their team than that other point might have been to their place in the standings. New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic took a deflected puck to the face during Saturday night's game at Nassau Coliseum. A slapshot from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff deflected off the stick of Frans Nielsen and into the face of Travis Hamonic at 5:21 in the third period. Hamonic immediately fell to the ice and a pool of blood surrounded him faster than his teammates were able to skate over to him in assistance. Hamonic was helped off the ice and rushed to the hospital, where he h... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:24:08 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/two_weeks_without_travis_hamonic/9804454 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/two_weeks_without_travis_hamonic/9804454 Two Weeks Without Travis Hamonic http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/two_weeks_without_travis_hamonic/9804454 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Chicago Blackhawks duo of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery has caused some anxiety in Chicago as the Hawks head toward the playoffs. But GM Stan Bowman has said he's "happy" with them, which indicates he won't make any deadline moves.   However, it is possible the Hawks are exploring options. As the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports, Hawks scouts were at Friday's Isles game against the Senators, in which Evgeni Nabokov let in just one goal. We know the Isles are shopping the veteran goalie, and the strong performance certainly helped.     However, it's also possible the Hawks were there to see Frans Nielsen, as they have been looking for some help down the middle.     The HockeyFanLand Insight   There likely is a market for Evgeni Nabokov. I believe he still can be the top-level goaltender he once was in the right situation.  I'm just not sure the Chicago Blackhawks are prepared to give up on Corey... Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_hawks_eyeing_nabokov/9796681 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/report_hawks_eyeing_nabokov/9796681 Report: Hawks eyeing Nabokov? http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/report_hawks_eyeing_nabokov/9796681 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/9/695e8fbd271485a120ecb388e05dd2311ca97372/mini/San_Jose_Sharks_aadd.jpg The Islander have called up defensemen Aaron Ness this morning, after they lost Travis Hamonic and Milan Jurcina suffered injuries in the previous two games. Hamonic is out for two weeks with a broken nose and Jurcina is out with an elbow laceration. Ness is expected to make his season debute against the Flyers tomorrow night. This season has two goals and 15 assists for 17 points this season for the Sound Tigers. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:36:17 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_call_up_aaron_ness/9791164 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_call_up_aaron_ness/9791164 Islanders Call Up Aaron Ness http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/islanders_call_up_aaron_ness/9791164 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is expected to be sidelined for two weeks after undergoing facial surgery on Sunday. Hamonic was also in need of stitches after taking a slap shot from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff during Saturday's contest. The 21-year-old Hamonic, who suffered a broken nose in the bloody episode, has collected a goal and 11 assists in 51 games. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:11:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_d_hamonic_breaks_nose_out_two_weeks/9788884 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_d_hamonic_breaks_nose_out_two_weeks/9788884 Islanders D Hamonic breaks nose, out two weeks http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/islanders_d_hamonic_breaks_nose_out_two_weeks/9788884 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Uniondale, NY -- The Islanders lost Travis Hamonic for the next two weeks after he took a puck to the face early in the third period. 5:21 into the Third, Hamonic went down lying on the ice momentarily as a pool of blood formed below him. Team trainers quickly rushed over to him and helped him off the ice. He was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair a broken nose and received stitches. The loss of the 21 year old, who has been one of the Islanders top defensemen this season, Could not have come at a worse time. The Islanders have games against Philadelphia, who’ve always give them problems, along with games against Montreal, LA, Winnipeg, St. Luis and Carolina. Not the easiest of matchups. Hamonic’s absence was noticeable in the third period during last night’s loss to the Sabres and may have contributed to the loss. “It definitely hurts,” PA Parenteau said about the loss of Hamonic last night. “Travis is one of our best defensemen, there’s no doubt a... Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:46:30 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/hamonic_out_2_weeks_isles_still_believe_they_can_make_playoffs/9779668 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/hamonic_out_2_weeks_isles_still_believe_they_can_make_playoffs/9779668 Hamonic Out 2 Weeks; Isles Still Believe They Can Make Playoffs http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/hamonic_out_2_weeks_isles_still_believe_they_can_make_playoffs/9779668 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Mark Eaton's latest goal was as important to the New York Islanders as it was rare for him to score. Eaton scored 2:35 into overtime in his 600th NHL game to give the Islanders a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. The 34-year-old defenseman took a pass from Milan Jurcina and put the puck into an open right side for his 24th NHL goal - his first since Nov. 28, 2009. ''The circumstance is the big thing. We're just trying to get points and keep climbing up the standings,'' Eaton said. ''Every point's big and for it to be an OT winner makes it a little more memorable.'' Matt Martin scored the tying goal in the third and Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for New York, which is on a 5-1-1 run. The Islanders tied Tampa Bay for 11th in the Eastern Conference with 49 points, nine points behind eighth-place Toronto, which plays in Ottawa on Saturday night. ''We play Buffalo at home (Saturday) and we're a confident bunch right now,'' said P.A. Parenteau, who assisted on both goals. ''We play with a lot of passion and we know what's at stake in the next two weeks. Nothing's impossible for us.'' John Tavares, chosen the NHL's first star of the month on Wednesday, failed to record a point for the second time in four games following a 12-game points streak. The Islanders' first overall pick in the 2009 draft had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 13 games in January, including four in a 5-2 win at Carolina on Tuesday. ''Obviously it was a pretty tight hockey game and a big game for both teams,'' Tavares said. ''We came back, down by a goal, and it was nice to see a guy like Mark Eaton - who has done a lot of great things for us this year, the little things that don't get a lot of the press - score, and it's a nice win for us.'' Zack Smith scored a short-handed goal late in the second for the Senators, who have lost five in a row, the last four in regulation. Ottawa's Craig Anderson stopped 30 shots in his 16th straight start. ''Their play without the puck in the neutral zone was better than ours,'' Senators coach Paul MacLean said. Smith scored with 12.6 seconds left in the second. The Ottawa center carried the puck out of his zone and raced down the ice before taking a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. Nabokov got his glove on the shot but the puck carried on and flew behind him into the net. Martin tied it 5:27 into the third. Parenteau drew Senators defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Jared Cowen to the left side before feeding a pass to the right side of the slot, where Martin was left unguarded to fire a wrist shot past Anderson for his sixth goal. Jurcina went to the dressing room 8:16 into the third after he was attended to on the ice by a trainer. Jurcina, who landed on his backside following a hit by former teammate Zenon Konopka behind the New York net, quickly returned. The game was delayed with 9.7 seconds remaining in regulation because of a broken curved glass panel at the far end of the Senators' bench. NOTES: Former Islanders stars Denis Potvin and Billy Smith were introduced to the crowd and shown on the video scoreboard during the game. Potvin is an analyst on Senators TV broadcasts and Smith watched from the stands. ... The Senators' five-game homestand is their longest of the season. ... C Jim O'Brien made his season debut for Ottawa after he was recalled from AHL Binghamton earlier in the day. RW Bobby Butler was left out of the lineup. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:20:31 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_eaton_scores_ot_winner_in_600th_game/9758059 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/islanders_eaton_scores_ot_winner_in_600th_game/9758059 Islanders' Eaton scores OT winner in 600th game http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/islanders_eaton_scores_ot_winner_in_600th_game/9758059 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/9/e9da0b801809318c6495815c1cf799a2c2b76231/mini/Buffalo_Sabres_v_0302.jpg Mark Eaton scored 2:35 into overtime in his 600th NHL game to give the New York Islanders a 2-1 win Friday night over the Ottawa Senators. Eaton took a pass from Milan Jurcina and put the puck into an open right side for his 24th NHL goal -- and his first since Nov. 28, 2009. Matt Martin scored the tying goal in the third and Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for New York, which is on a 5-1-1 run. Zack Smith had scored a short-handed goal late in the second for Ottawa, which has lost five in a row, the last four in regulation. Ottawa's Craig Anderson stopped 30 shots in his 16th straight start. John Tavares, chosen the NHL's first star of the month on Wednesday, failed to record a point for the second time in four games following a 12-game points streak. The Islanders' first overall pick in the 2009 draft had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 13 games in January. Smith scored with 12.6 seconds left in the second. The Ottawa center carried the puck out of his zone and raced down the ice before taking a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. Nabokov got his glove on the shot but the puck carried on and flew behind him into the net. Martin tied it 5:27 into the third. P.A. Parenteau drew Senators defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Jared Cowen to the left side before feeding a pass to the right side of the slot, where Martin was left unguarded to fire a wrist shot past Anderson for his sixth goal. Parenteau also assisted on Eaton's goal to extend his career high to 36. He had 34 assists last season, and 33 in 2009-10. Jurcina went to the dressing room 8:16 into the third after he was attended to on the ice by a trainer. Jurcina, who landed on his backside following a hit by former teammate Zenon Konopka behind the New York net, quickly returned. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:20:29 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/eaton_scores_in_ot_in_milestone_game/9758047 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/eaton_scores_in_ot_in_milestone_game/9758047 Eaton scores in OT in milestone game http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/eaton_scores_in_ot_in_milestone_game/9758047 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/8/88d44efc97a0daf0d542dd4db64d7c2075538e2c/mini/Pittsburgh_Penguins_v_c08e.jpg from Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail, John Tavares, the New York Islanders centre who was the NHL’s player of the month for January, is working the corners. He spins, he rolls off two checkers, he has his head raised like a cobra in search of opportunity. He works through traffic by keeping everything in so tight to his body they cannot stop him from slipping by. He sees an opening no one else has seen, passes quickly and, instantly, a goal is scored. Tavares is only 21 years of age, and though ESPN recently ranked the “Top 25 NHL players under age of 25” and somehow left him off the list, he is today the talk of the league after scoring nine goals and 13 assists in only 13 games last month and rising into the top five in league scoring. He is far, far from the fastest player in the game, and yet he is also unstoppable. He works corners as effectively as, but different from, the Sedin twins of the Vancouver Canucks. He has, as Ottawa Senators captain Daniel A... Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:16:45 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/tavares_on_the_rise/9755557 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/tavares_on_the_rise/9755557 Tavares On the Rise http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/tavares_on_the_rise/9755557 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/0/10cab614be3dae0088c1c3e13ffbc2d6c578b0aa/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_3f74.jpg