- tavares (was all over the place, could have had a 6-7pt game with any luck and wasn't even as sharp as he can be)
- ullstrom (six shots, smart, fiesty, nice goal)
- grabner (played 20min, could have had 2-3 goals easily)
- okposo played really well
others:
- aucoin was good, nielsen as always, cizikas had some jump in his limited ice time.
- macdonald/hamonic (never get enough credit)
- nabokov (was there when it mattered)
Definitely Grabner. Not even close. Then come Ullstrom, Aucoin and Tavares. Although JT has room for improvement - speaks for him that is still one of the best.
Voted Ullstrom. I expect this guy to force the coaching staff into giving him top-six minutes. He's big, talented, smart and busts his ass. Can't ask for anything more.
Grabner... Played unreal and should have had an amazing behind the back no look assist on a Nielsen goal if Frans could actually hit the net. He was everywhere today.
Ullstrom... Very strong game from him as well. Had a few great shots on net along with the goal and was noticeable for all the right reasons out there.
I voted Grabner, Ullstrom, and Tavares but I added other so I could give Hamonic some props. He was owning people in the corners. He just man handles them. Tampa forwards couldn't get the puck deep and set anything up with Hammer in the way. Beast.
I voted Grabner, Ullstrom, and Tavares but I added other so I could give Hamonic some props. He was owning people in the corners. He just man handles them. Tampa forwards couldn't get the puck deep and set anything up with Hammer in the way. Beast.
As much as I'd like to spread out what will probably be our two best defensive defensemen, the potential of a Reinhart-Hamonic shut-down pairing is pretty sick. Could be our version of Alzner-Carlson except with more offensive potential. Hamonic is a beast.
Grabner, hands-down. He was great in the offensive zone, but even better defensively and on the PK.
JT played well, but is it just me or is carrying the puck in his own zone a little too much? Not worried about him - just an observation. Probably held the puck a lot more in Bern.
Any time you have a fairly even distribution of votes in the player of the game poll, it shows the Islanders had a very good game. They played as a team today.
As much as I'd like to spread out what will probably be our two best defensive defensemen, the potential of a Reinhart-Hamonic shut-down pairing is pretty sick. Could be our version of Alzner-Carlson except with more offensive potential. Hamonic is a beast.
Could be just what the doctor ordered for these 3rd period meltdowns. Reinhart's calm play to help the team relax and Hamonic's physical play keeps the other team intimidated.
By the way, honorable mention to Keith Aucoin. He is the second best passer on this team, right after Tavares. He is an even better passer than Parenteau. He just needs to keep plugging away and he could get a real chance on this team to shine.
It's too bad he is 5'8" and not as great a shooter as he is a passer.
