Islanders Rally Against Predators
Islanders Overcome Early Two-Goal Deficit
It wasn’t the prettiest game but the Islanders were certainly happy to leave Barclays Center with a 4-3 victory against the Nashville Predators.
The Predators scored early in each of the first two periods to jump out to a two-goal lead but it wasn’t enough as the Islanders found a way to fight back and earn two points.
“They are a really good team and they showed that tonight,” said Kyle Okposo who tied the game 2-2 midway through the second period. “I thought that they outplayed us for most of the game. We were just able to get some timely goals. (Thomas) Greiss played extremely well for us back there that was definitely a confidence booster knowing he can step in and carry the load for us. Its a sign of a good team when we can win hockey games like that.”
The Islanders first line has continued to develop chemistry early on in the regular season and knowing each other’s tendencies paid off on their first goal in the second period.
“We outworked them for a good shift,” Anders Lee said after scoring his first goal of the season. “Johnny (Tavares) and (Ryan) Strome worked it down low and we were all moving our feet. I have seen Johnny (Tavares) make that play all the time so I know where to go and we connected.”
The captain has enjoyed the move to Brooklyn so far, registering a goal in each of the Islanders three home games this season including Thursday’s game-winner.
“Its one of the reasons we won a few games here,” Jack Capuano said about Tavares’ hot start. “The secondary scoring is going to have to pick up. We are starting to see a little bit now. We are going to have to get our defense actively involved. If you are going to have any success in this league you cannot rely on one guy or one line.”
Despite the win, the Islanders coach knows that his team was far from focused at the drop of the puck on Thursday.
“For whatever reason mentally we weren’t dialed in from the start but we found a way to get two points,” Capuano added later.
The Islanders will square off with another western conference opponent next, the San Jose Sharks, Saturday night at Barclays Center.
