TONIGHT IN DISNEYLAND
The Islanders play the first of three on the west coast, and hope to end a seven-game losing streak, against the Anaheim Ducks.
PREVIOUS GAME
Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves and Andreas Nodl scored with 5:25 left in the game to lift the Flayers to a 2-1 win over the Islanders Saturday at Nassau Coliseum.
LEADING SCORERS
Islanders: James Wisniewski (2-10-12)
Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf (6-12-18)
GOALTENDERS
Isles: Dwayne Roloson (2-5-0, 2.44 GAA, .914 %)
Ducks: Jonas Hiller (7-5-1, 2.90 GAA .918 %)
STATE OF THE ISLES
Not very pretty, at least on paper. The Islanders have been thoroughly outplayed in every area during this slide. ESPNNewYork.com?s Mike Hume shares the ugly facts, like the average of 1.71 goals per game in the seven games. To their credit, the players have been optimistic and a bit defiant in the face of adversity. Their young core has to start scoring goals and Rick DiPietro must prove he can be trusted.
CROSS EXAINATION
The Ducks responded from Bob Murray?s angry message off consecutive losses to the Devils and Sharks to win their next four over the Lightning, Penguins and Predators and Sharks to move past .500 for the first time this season. Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has two goals and 11 points over the past nine games, and 13 points over the past 12 games. Saku Koivu has three goals and two assists during the winning streak after going his last 10 without a goal.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
A bit of a shakeup in light of Zenon Konopka?s foot injury and overall performance. Jon Sim was recalled from Bridgeport and Josh Bailey shifted back to his natural center position. Lots of strong words have been spoken during this skid, which means the Islanders have to start backing it up with attitude on the ice. Even if the offense remains ice cold, Roloson must do what Rick DiPietro is paid handsomely to do and has not ? steal a game.
WHAT NOT TO WATCH FOR
DiPietro. Unless he's hiding another injury none of us know about, the Islanders apparently have a lot more faith in Roloson to get them back in the win column.
QUOTABLE
?It?s up to everybody on this team to just keep bringing it, and keep looking at film or whatever. Ultimately, we know what to do, but we?ve got to play better. We?ve got to play more consistently, play with a little more vigor for 60 minutes. Gotta get a win; that?s it.? ? Doug Weight
The Islanders play the first of three on the west coast, and hope to end a seven-game losing streak, against the Anaheim Ducks.
PREVIOUS GAME
Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves and Andreas Nodl scored with 5:25 left in the game to lift the Flayers to a 2-1 win over the Islanders Saturday at Nassau Coliseum.
LEADING SCORERS
Islanders: James Wisniewski (2-10-12)
Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf (6-12-18)
GOALTENDERS
Isles: Dwayne Roloson (2-5-0, 2.44 GAA, .914 %)
Ducks: Jonas Hiller (7-5-1, 2.90 GAA .918 %)
STATE OF THE ISLES
Not very pretty, at least on paper. The Islanders have been thoroughly outplayed in every area during this slide. ESPNNewYork.com?s Mike Hume shares the ugly facts, like the average of 1.71 goals per game in the seven games. To their credit, the players have been optimistic and a bit defiant in the face of adversity. Their young core has to start scoring goals and Rick DiPietro must prove he can be trusted.
CROSS EXAINATION
The Ducks responded from Bob Murray?s angry message off consecutive losses to the Devils and Sharks to win their next four over the Lightning, Penguins and Predators and Sharks to move past .500 for the first time this season. Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has two goals and 11 points over the past nine games, and 13 points over the past 12 games. Saku Koivu has three goals and two assists during the winning streak after going his last 10 without a goal.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
A bit of a shakeup in light of Zenon Konopka?s foot injury and overall performance. Jon Sim was recalled from Bridgeport and Josh Bailey shifted back to his natural center position. Lots of strong words have been spoken during this skid, which means the Islanders have to start backing it up with attitude on the ice. Even if the offense remains ice cold, Roloson must do what Rick DiPietro is paid handsomely to do and has not ? steal a game.
WHAT NOT TO WATCH FOR
DiPietro. Unless he's hiding another injury none of us know about, the Islanders apparently have a lot more faith in Roloson to get them back in the win column.
QUOTABLE
?It?s up to everybody on this team to just keep bringing it, and keep looking at film or whatever. Ultimately, we know what to do, but we?ve got to play better. We?ve got to play more consistently, play with a little more vigor for 60 minutes. Gotta get a win; that?s it.? ? Doug Weight
