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The Skinny: Rangers 5, Isles 2

"The Skinny" By Eric Hornick Game 68 Rangers 5, Isles 2 Johnny Brodzinski broke a 2-2 tie with 4:59 left in the middle period and ...

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Pre-Season Skinny: Isles 6, Devils 2

Ok-- not really The Skinny.  Have to wait for the regular season for that.

This was pretty much a one-sided game, in part because the Isles used at least 14 skaters who should play opening night and the Devils used anything but.

Mark Streit made up for lost time, playing 23:44.  The game's #1 star scored a goal and added two assists.  Streit was one of five Islanders one was on-ice for all three Isles pp goals (Travis Hamonic, Matt Moulson, John Tavares and Frans Nielsen).  Nielsen, entering his final season as the NHL's biggest bargain ($525,000 cap hit) had no power play goals all last year but scored 1 on the power play in this game

Looks like Steve Staios is getting a big chance to make the squad.  He played a lot with Streit and also scored a goal.

Other notables: Matt Moulson scored twice; Michael Grabner set up Kyle Okposo for the first goal and drew a penalty that led to the 2nd goal.  He did miss on a breakaway - something he did frequently last season.

For the pugilists, Trevor Gillies and Cam Janssens fought twice- a quickie in the second period and a lengthy bout in the third.

All in all, it was a good night for the Coliseum faithful -- but one to be taken with a grain of salt, given the Devils' roster.

The Isles head to Calgary on Tuesday.  They visit New Jersey Friday and then "host" the Bruins in Bridgeport next Saturday to end the pre-season.

 
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick

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