The New York Islanders won 4-3 on Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens at the Nassau Coliseum. The New York Islanders starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov suffered a groin injury early in the 1st period while stretching for a save, Islanders backup goaltender Rick DiPietro came into the game in relief of the injured Nabakov and finished the period without letting a goal score.
The Isles scored first early in the 2nd period. At 00.41 into the period PA Parenteau landed a backhand past Canadiens goaltender Peter Budaj. That first goal gave the Islanders momentum and by the half way point in the period they were up 3-0 with goals by Jay Pandolfo (3:01) and Mark Streit (9.08). Max Pacioretty answered for the Canadiens and finally put the Habs on the board at 14:52 with a snapshot past DiPietro’s glove. Minutes later Erik Cole tallied a second goal for the Habs at 17.38 on a wrist shot past both New York Islanders defenseman Mike Mottau and Goaltender Rick DiPietro. With that goal the volume in Nassau Coliseum went through the roof as Habs fans felt a rally in their midst. Luckily for the Islanders Matt Moulson added the final goal and ultimately the game winning goal at 18:15 with assists by John Tavares and Rick DiPietro. The Islanders left the eventful 2nd period with a comfortable 4-2 lead. The final goal came as a result of Islanders defenseman Steve Staios’ boarding penalty. That penalty setup the Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta with a power play goal at 15:42 of the 3rd. The Islanders managed to hold off the Canadiens’ final attempts to tie the game, and walked off the ice with a much needed win.
Brandon Titus photographed the game for Inside Hockey…
