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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
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		<description>RUWT? News for New York Islanders</description>
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		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:14:27 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:14:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Perron's 2 goals carry Blues past Islanders 4-1]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[ST. LOUIS(AP) -- David Perron scored with a move he practices all
the time, but hasn't perfected yet.

It was good enough to lift the St. Louis Blues over the New York
Islanders.

Perron's between-the-legs play enabled him to get around
defenseman Mark Streit and sweep the puck past goalie Dwayne
Roloson in the Blues' 4-1 victory over the Islanders on Saturday
night.

It was Perron's second goal of the game and team-leading ninth
of the season. It also capped the Blues' four-goal surge.

"We practice those kind of moves," Perron said. "You react to
what's open, what's available. It worked, so it was fun. I'm
glad it worked out tonight."

Patrik Berglund's first goal in 13 games proved to be the
difference, Eric Brewer also scored, and Chris Mason stopped 23
shots as the Blues won back-to-back games for the first time
since beating Detroit in Sweden on Oct. 2-3. St. Louis is 3-2 on
a six-game homestand.

"It means we won our segment," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "It
means we had six points in the last five games, which is
important to us. It also means in the last eight games, we've
only lost two."

The Islanders got a goal from Josh Bailey and 22 saves from
Roloson, but New York has dropped consecutive games in
regulation for the first time since Nov. 4-6. The Islanders lost
3-2 at Minnesota on Friday.

"It definitely wasn't our game tonight," Islanders winger Trent
Hunter said. "Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get your legs
going after playing the night before, but that wasn't the case.
We can't use that as an excuse that we played last night."

Berglund's first point in 10 games put the Blues up 2-1 at 15:23
of the second period on a shot from the high slot that beat
Roloson. B.J. Crombeen's screen in the crease might have
prevented Roloson from seeing the Blues' second shot of the
period.

"Obviously, it was an important goal," Berglund said. "The whole
second period, we didn't play good at all. It was really good
that we got that goal. We went into the third period and played
really good, got the puck to the net and scored some other
goals."

Perron netted his eighth goal when he swept in the puck from the
crease following Barret Jackman's one-timer from the left point
1:15 into the third. That gave the Blues a 3-1 lead, and Jackman
earned his 100th NHL point.

Perron's second of the game came at 5:02 of the third off a move
that is familiar to Murray.

"I saw it in a preseason game his very first year, which kind of
convinced us maybe he could play in this league right away,"
Murray said.

The Islanders grabbed the early lead as Bailey's wrister from
the top of the right circle got past a screened Mason 5:10 into
the game. It was Bailey's fifth of the season and second in two
nights.

That was the only offense New York could muster.

"Our biggest problem was we didn't push the puck when we had
opportunities," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "Our
backcheck was our biggest nemesis. We just gave them too much
time on the entries.

"I can't believe (the Blues) are just .500 (8-8-4). That just
blows my mind with the talent they have."

The Blues quickly answered Bailey's goal. Brewer's shot from the
left point at 8:02 tied the game. It was his first goal since
Oct. 16, 2008.

NOTES: The last time the Islanders visited St. Louis was Dec. 6,
2005. ... The last Islanders' loss in St. Louis in regulation
was Dec. 19, 1995, a string of seven games (4-0-3). ...
Islanders C Doug Weight, who was out because of an upper-body
injury, played 365 games in two stints with the Blues. He scored
295 points for St. Louis. ... Blues assistant coach Brad Shaw
served as an assistant and was interim head coach for the
Islanders before joining the Blues in 2006. ... Jackman played
in his 400th NHL game. ... Blues LW Keith Tkachuk has 22 career
points in 22 games against the Islanders. ... Paul Kariya's
assist on Brewer's goal snapped a 12-game pointless streak. ...
Blues LW Alex Steen returned to the lineup after missing 14
games due to a fractured wrist.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/136228-Perrons-2-goals-carry-Blues-past-Islanders-4-1</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/136228-Perrons-2-goals-carry-Blues-past-Islanders-4-1</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:53:39 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Blues Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

New York (8-6-7) at St. Louis (7-8-4), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The New York Islanders are coming off their first regulation
loss in two weeks. It's been more than five years since they
suffered that kind of defeat to the St. Louis Blues.

The Islanders look to bounce back as they continue their
season-high seven-game road trip Saturday night against the
Blues.

Jon Sim had a goal with an assist Friday night, but New York
(8-7-7) blew a one-goal, third-period lead and fell 3-2 at
Minnesota for its first regulation defeat since losing 2-1 at
New Jersey on Nov. 6.

New York, 7-3-2 since losing nine of its first 10, earned at
least one point in its previous five contests and is 2-1-2 on
its current road swing.

"We've had a lot of good hockey," New York coach Scott Gordon
said. "This was our first loss, and from my side of it very well
could've been a win."

The Islanders have a chance to get back on track against the
Blues (7-8-4). New York is 2-0-2 in the series since a 4-2
regulation loss at home on March 6, 2004. The Islanders are
4-0-1 with two ties at St. Louis since losing 4-1 there on Dec.
19, 1995.

Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter each had a goal while Bruno
Gervais added two assists in New York's 5-2 win over St. Louis
in the teams' only meeting last season.

Hunter and Gervais each had an assist Friday, while Sim has
three points in his last two contests.

Martin Biron made 26 saves against the Wild, falling to 2-6-2
with a 2.85 goals-against average on the season. He's 0-6-1 with
a 2.95 GAA against St. Louis, making it likely Dwayne Roloson
could be in net for this contest.

Roloson is 6-1-5 with a 2.76 GAA this season and 9-3-1 with
three ties and a 1.77 GAA all-time versus the Blues.

St. Louis avoided a third consecutive loss with a 3-2 overtime
win over Phoenix on Thursday.

"You start to do the right things and people start playing with
confidence," said St. Louis' Chris Mason, who made 34 saves.
"Finally, we're starting to come out on the right end."

Defenseman Erik Johnson scored the winner, while T.J. Oshie and
Keith Tkachuk each had a goal with an assist for the Blues, who
improved to 2-2-0 on a season-high six-game homestand after
getting outscored 6-2 over their previous two contests.

"The guys, they need to enjoy this a little bit," said Blues
coach Andy Murray, whose team won for the second time in nine
games. "We've had a tough time."

Tkachuk's goal snapped his 13-game streak without one, a drought
that has played a part in the Blues being tied with Nashville
for fewest goals in the league with 44. Tkachuk, though, has
scored in four straight games against New York and has eight
points in his last five against the Islanders.

Mason is 5-6-3 with a 2.25 GAA this season and 0-1-0 against the
Islanders after allowing four goals on 33 shots in last season's
loss in New York.

St. Louis could have forward Alex Steen available Saturday for
the first time since he suffered a broken wrist in a 3-2
overtime loss at Phoenix on Oct. 15.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135897-Islanders-Blues-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135897-Islanders-Blues-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:34:58 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Nolan's 2 goals give Wild 3-2 win over Islanders]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn.(AP) -- In this transitional season, new Minnesota
Wild coach Todd Richards and his staff have relied on veteran
Owen Nolan more than any other player.

His six goals are essentially a bonus. His experience and
attitude are of the greatest value.

Nolan's goal with 67 seconds remaining, his second of the game,
sent the Wild to a 3-2 comeback victory over the New York
Islanders on Friday night. The oldest guy on the team also dived
to block a shot during a penalty kill.

"He's been a leader by example. It's every day in practice,"
said Richards, who declared the Wild's last game, a 3-2 home
loss to Phoenix, their worst performance of the season. "You ask
the players to do things out on the ice, and he's the first one
doing it."

Nolan had been dragged down in front of Islanders goalie Martin
Biron on an earlier sequence and had just climbed back to his
feet when the puck came his way from Eric Belanger in the
closing minutes. The 37-year-old Nolan, known for his grittiness
around the net, knocked it in for a late lead.

"It just caught me by surprise," Biron said. "It hit the inside
of my paddle, and after that I had no idea where it went."

That gave a big lift to a team that was 0-2-2 in its previous
four games and starting a stretch of four straight and six of
seven at home.

"There's lots of guys that get into that situation, and you rush
it a little bit. Great composure," Richards said.

Nolan also scored on a bad-angle shot from behind the goal line
that glanced off Biron and into the net for just Minnesota's
12th first-period goal in 22 games. Nolan credited James
Sheppard for the setup on that one, noting Sheppard's hard work
in his first game on the wing while the injury-ravaged Wild
played way short up front.

"It gives the young guys a great opportunity to step in and show
what they've got. They have to bring the energy, and I thought
they did a good job with that," Nolan said.

Jon Sim had a goal and an assist and Josh Bailey scored for the
Islanders, who lost in regulation for the first time in six
games despite holding a 2-1 lead in the third period. Mikko
Koivu tied it for Minnesota on a power play with 13:02 left.

Islanders coach Scott Gordon was upset by his team's 0 for 6 on
the power play.

"I thought that we had some great chances that we just didn't
cash in on," Gordon said. "If we cash in on them, point-blank
opportunities, we're not even talking about giving up a bad goal
in the third."

Biron, who made 26 saves, started in place of former Wild
All-Star Dwayne Roloson. The duo has held the net together well
while Rick DiPietro is out indefinitely due to a knee injury.

"This game is the way it is sometimes," Biron said. "You let
some opportunities slip, and you lose these types of games."

The Islanders, 3-1-2 in their last six games, are playing better
after winning one of their first 10 games. This was their fifth
stop on a stretch of seven straight road games, and they're
missing captain Doug Weight for another month because of an
upper body injury.

"We've had a lot of good hockey," Gordon said. "This was our
first loss, and from my side of it it very well could've been a
win."

The Wild increased their intensity from Wednesday, registering
27 hits to New York's nine. They were missing Martin Havlat
(hamstring), one of five injured forwards on the roster, and
Brent Burns (illness), their best offensive defenseman.

Richards feared another defeat after a failed 5-on-3 advantage
by the Wild barely a minute after Sim tied the game at 1, but
Koivu's goal on the power play gave Minnesota the momentum back,
setting the stage for Nolan's winner.

NOTES: Wild D Shane Hnidy mixed it up with New York's Tim
Jackman and was given 17 minutes of penalty time, two for
instigating, five for fighting and 10 for a misconduct. ...
Nolan is one of several Wild players growing mustaches in
support of a prostate cancer awareness and research project. ...
The Wild are 5-1-2 against the East and 8-12-2 overall. ...
Jackman and Islanders teammates Jack Hillen and Kyle Okposo are
Minnesota natives. ... D Brendan Witt (personal reasons) sat out
for the second straight game for the Islanders.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135856-Nolans-2-goals-give-Wild-3-2-win-over-Islanders</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135856-Nolans-2-goals-give-Wild-3-2-win-over-Islanders</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:04:26 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Wild Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By PAUL DIGIACOMO
STATS Senior Editor

New York (8-6-7) at Minnesota (7-12-2), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The New York Islanders have done a good job of picking up points
on their lengthy road trip. Their stops at Xcel Energy Center,
though, haven't been very successful.

New York looks for its second road win all-time against the
Minnesota Wild when it continues a seven-game stretch away from
home Friday night.

The Islanders have turned things around after a 1-4-5 start,
going 7-2-2. They improved to 2-0-2 on this trip with a 4-1
victory over Boston on Monday night.

New York (8-6-7) will try to continue that success in Minnesota,
where it is 1-3-1 since the Wild joined the NHL for the 2000-01
season.

Matt Moulson registered his first career two-goal game Monday
and John Tavares also scored for New York, which hasn't earned
points in five straight on the road since Jan. 8-22, 2008.

The Islanders have scored at least four goals in five straight
games for the first time since a seven-game run Dec. 11-26,
1993.

"There's a confidence in the room now that if we play our game
we're going to have success," coach Scott Gordon said. "We've
played four games in six days and from my side it's good to see,
with the little practice time we've had, we haven't gotten off
our game plan. It's very encouraging."

Moulson leads New York with 10 goals after bouncing back and
forth to the minors in the previous two seasons while with Los
Angeles. Tavares, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft,
tops the Islanders with 10 assists and 19 points.

Both players will be making their first appearance against the
Wild, who have dropped four in a row (0-2-2) after winning four
of five.

Minnesota (7-12-2) opened a four-game homestand with a 3-2 loss
to Phoenix on Wednesday night. Antti Miettinen tied it at 2 with
4:58 to play, but the Coyotes countered 19 seconds later.

"This is probably our poorest, I think, performance of the
year," first-year coach Todd Richards said. "We had spurts in
the third period. First period they pretty much controlled and
dictated everything going on in the first period, and I would
say a good portion of the second."

Minnesota was outshot 15-5 in the first period, three days after
Carolina held a 10-6 advantage in the first en route to a 5-4
overtime victory.

"I have to look at myself for the slow starts," Richards said.
"And the morning skates and what I'm doing in practice to
prepare ourselves better."

The Wild are 7-3-0 against the Islanders, winning the last four
meetings. Minnesota outscored New York 10-3 in two matchups last
season.

New York meets St. Louis on Saturday and Toronto on Monday to
conclude its trip. The Islanders then play two in a row at home
before beginning a five-game road stretch.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135358-Islanders-Wild-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/135358-Islanders-Wild-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:32:16 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Moulson scores twice in Isles' 4-1 win over Bruins]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer

BOSTON(AP) -- Matt Moulson was perfectly happy to have his first
career two-goal game. He didn't need a hat trick - especially
one he didn't deserve.

Moulson scored twice - and was temporarily credited with a third
- on Monday night to lead the New York Islanders to a 4-1
victory over the Boston Bruins. He was given New York's third
goal for doing nothing more than raising his arms in celebration
after John Tavares scored, but the right player was credited on
review.

"I'm not going to take that one," said Moulson, who has 10 goals
this season - more than he had his entire career while bouncing
back and forth to the minors in the previous two years. "He got
a good bounce there. I was trying for it but I just couldn't
reach it."

Dwayne Roloson stopped 28 shots, and Tavares scored to make it
3-1 before Trent Hunter added an empty-netter with 49 seconds
left. But Moulson's goals were all the Islanders needed to
avoided a repeat of their last visit to Boston, when they held a
3-0 lead with just over 8 minutes left in regulation before
losing in a shootout 4-3.

"As a team you can't look in the past," Roloson said. "You just
have to keep looking in the future and keep working."

Tuukka Rask made 17 saves and Daniel Paille scored for Boston,
which killed off all five penalties and has not allowed a goal
in 22 consecutive power plays. But the Bruins, who have allowed
10 goals in the last two games, lost their third straight.

"Those little details that meant so much to us being successful
aren't consistent right now," Bruins coach Claude Julien said.
"There's not that confidence or determination we need to be
successful. Right now we have to have our best players playing
their best if we're going to turn it around."

The Islanders, who blew a three-goal lead in Boston on Oct. 10,
took a two-goal lead on Tavares' goal with 18:10 left in the
game and finished this one off in regulation - a rarity for
these teams of late. The Bruins had played two straight overtime
games and the Islanders needed OT in their previous three.

"We could say, 'We played well but we're not scoring goals.' We
could hide behind that," forward Blake Wheeler said. "But when
you give up 10 goals in your last two games, it's not good
enough."

New York took the lead 6 minutes into the game when Jack Hillen
brought it around the boards to the back of the net and
backhanded it into the slot for Moulson.

Boston had a 5-on-3 advantage late in the first, but Dennis
Wideman hit the post on Roloson's glove side on Boston's best
chance. The Bruins finally tied it with 5:04 left in the second
period when David Krejci brought the puck into the zone and
swept it across the crease to Paille, who shot once off
Roloson's pad and a second time between the goalie's skate and
the post.

The net, which had been knocked off the moorings by an Islanders
skater, went into the air and the puck slid in and came to rest
under the bottom of the goal when it came back to the ice.

Moulson made it 2-1 after Rask played the puck behind the net
and sent it along the right boards. It was picked off by Richard
Park near the circle and quickly centered to Moulson, who
redirected it past Rask as he tried to get back in position.

NOTES: Red Sox slugger David Ortiz participated in a ceremonial
first puck drop. ... The Bruins announced that there will be an
old-timers game the day after the Jan. 1 Winter Classic at
Fenway Park. Cam Neely, Pat LaFontaine and Brian Leetch will
play alongside celebrities like actors Denis Leary and Tim
Robbins. ... Islanders D Mark Streit played his 300th game. ...
Bruins F Marco Sturm's next game will be his 800th.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134600-Moulson-scores-twice-in-Isles-4-1-win-over-Bruins</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134600-Moulson-scores-twice-in-Isles-4-1-win-over-Bruins</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:44:21 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Bruins Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By KATE HEDLIN
STATS Writer

New York (7-6-7) at Boston (8-7-4), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New York Islanders are struggling to protect leads on their
longest road trip of the season. They blew a big lead last month
against the Boston Bruins.

The Islanders try to bounce back from their latest squandered
lead Monday night when they visit the Bruins, who have defeated
them seven consecutive times.

New York (7-6-7) has earned at least a point in four straight
games (2-0-2), but has failed to protect a lead in all three
games of its current seven-game road trip - all of which have
gone to overtime. The lone win on the trip came at Carolina on
Friday, when the Isles blew a three-goal lead but recovered to
win 4-3 in overtime.

They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period Saturday at
Florida, but went on to lose 5-4 in a shootout.

Dwayne Roloson gave up three goals in the second, and New York
trailed 4-2 before John Tavares and Kyle Okposo scored to tie
the game. Roloson allowed the deciding goal to Nathan Horton in
the fourth round of the tiebreaker.

"Sometimes when you get a lead like that, you get a little
lackadaisical," said Tavares, who added an assist for his third
multipoint game in the last four. "You have to bear down and be
sharper."

Despite the problems holding on to leads, New York is now
looking to record a point in four consecutive road contests for
the first time since a 4-0-1 stretch Jan. 8-22.

Tavares leads all NHL rookies with 18 points and eight goals,
including three in the last two games. He had a goal and an
assist in New York's 4-3 shootout loss in Boston on Oct. 10, in
which the Islanders failed to hold on to a 3-0, first-period
lead. That defeat was New York's seventh straight to the Bruins.

Though Boston (8-7-4) has dominated the Islanders recently, it's
looking to avoid a third straight loss overall. After falling
1-0 in a shootout to Florida on Thursday, the Bruins lost 6-5 in
overtime at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Boston, which had been held to 11 goals over its previous eight
games, took the lead over the Penguins on Marco Sturm's goal
17:31 into the third period, but Tim Thomas allowed a goal to
former Bruin Bill Guerin with 0.4 seconds remaining in
regulation, then gave up the game-winner to Pascal Dupuis 1:24
into overtime.

"We scored goals, yeah," defenseman Derek Morris said, "and we
got a point, which was nice, but that's not our system we're
going to play. We did things we don't normally do and we did
them all in one game. We're lucky to get a point."

The Bruins have had little trouble scoring against the Islanders
at home. They've averaged 3.9 goals, going 6-0-1 since the
2006-07 season.

"It's important that we get over (Saturday's loss) and move
forward and look at how important this week is," coach Claude
Julien told the Bruins' official Web site. "We've got a couple
of teams in the Islanders and Atlanta who are in the same pile
as us and (we see) the importance of winning those."

Boston is 3-0-2 in its last five home games.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134384-Islanders-Bruins-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134384-Islanders-Bruins-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Horton's goal lifts Panthers to SO win over Isles]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SUNRISE, Fla.(AP) -- A two-goal lead wasn't enough for either the
New York Islanders or the Florida Panthers.

So they settled things in a shootout.

Nathan Horton beat Dwayne Roloson with a wrist shot in the
fourth shootout round to lift the Florida Panthers past the New
York Islanders 5-4 on Saturday night.

Cory Stillman, Rostislav Olesz, Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik
scored in regulation for the Panthers. Tomas Vokoun made 36
saves.

"The result was the most important thing," Vokoun said. "I think
we played good for part of this game but we have to do it for 60
minutes."

Tim Jackman, Trent Hunter, John Tavares and Kyle Okposo had the
goals for New York. Roloson stopped 38 shots for the Islanders,
who played for the third time in four nights. New York (7-6-7)
won at Carolina in overtime on Friday night.

Okposo could have forced a fifth shootout round after Horton
scored, but Vokoun made the save. Okposo's power-play goal at
15:14 of the third period moved the Islanders into a 4-4 tie.

"We showed resilience in getting that point," Okposo said.

New York had a 2-0 lead following one period and Florida was up
4-2 in the third.

"Definitely it was a weird game," Horton said.

The Panthers improved to 4-1 in shootouts this season, and the
Islanders fell to 1-4.

Frolik's power-play goal at 3:03 of the third gave Florida a 4-2
lead, but Tavares brought the Islanders back within a goal when
he scored his eighth of the season during a power play at 8:27.

Olesz scored his fourth goal at 19:33 of the second to give
Florida a 3-2 lead. He was one of four players fighting for the
puck directly in front of Roloson, and the left winger managed
to poke it into the net.

Earlier in the second, Stillman and Weiss scored 31 seconds
apart to erase New York's early 2-0 lead. Stillman scored his
fourth at 10:21 with a high wrister from the left circle. Weiss
took a pass at center ice from Horton, skated in on the left
side and beat Roloson high for his fifth goal.

Jackman and Hunter staked the Islanders to the two-goal lead in
the first. Jackman scored his second goal 16 second in when Nate
Thompson fed him a pass from behind the net.

Hunter scored at 4:29 when he took a pass from Josh Bailey in
the high slot and fired a shot past Vokoun. It was Hunter's
third goal.

"Sometimes when you get a lead like that, you get a little
lackadaisical," Tavares said. "You have to bear down and be
sharper."

NOTES: New York earned at least a point in a third straight road
game for the first time since Jan. 13-22, 2008. ... The
Islanders fell a goal shy of becoming the first team since
Pittsburgh in October 1992 to score three first-period goals in
four straight games.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134057-Hortons-goal-lifts-Panthers-to-SO-win-over-Isles</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/134057-Hortons-goal-lifts-Panthers-to-SO-win-over-Isles</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:18:02 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Panthers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

New York (6-6-6) at Florida (6-9-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New York Islanders have turned several fast starts into five
points, and now center John Tavares and right wing Kyle Okposo
are contributing.

They may have a hard time finding the back of the net Saturday
night when they'll likely face red-hot Tomas Vokoun and the
Florida Panthers.

The Islanders (7-6-6) have scored three goals in the first
period of each of their last three games, something they haven't
done since 1980. They've also turned those strong starts into a
2-0-1 record, giving them a 6-2-3 mark after opening the season
with six losses in a row (0-3-3).

"We're really finding our chemistry," Tavares said. "We're
making the big plays when we need them most."

Tavares scored twice in the first period Friday before Okposo
tallied the game-winner with 14.4 seconds left in overtime to
clinch a 4-3 win at Carolina.

Tavares, the top overall pick in this year's draft, leads all
rookies with seven goals and 16 points. Those totals rank him
second on the team in goals, one back of left wing Matt Moulson
- his linemate with Okposo. He's tied with Moulson for the
Islanders lead in points.

Tavares has also been hot lately, recording two goals and three
assists in the last three games after managing two of each over
the previous 10.

Okposo, who has four goals and eight assists this season, is
hoping he can continue putting a bout with the H1N1 virus behind
him. The seventh overall selection in the 2006 draft, was held
without a point over four games before assisting on Tavares'
first goal Friday.

"I feel pretty good," said Okposo, who sat out Wednesday's 5-4
shootout loss at Washington to open a season-high seven-game
road trip. "It felt good to contribute again. It's tough
watching."

With Tavares and Okposo producing, the Islanders are in position
to become the first team to score three first-period goals in
four consecutive games since Pittsburgh from Oct. 15-22, 1992.

They may have a tough time matching that feat against Vokoun,
who has been stellar lately for the Panthers (6-9-1).

Vokoun has dominated New York at home, winning all seven
meetings with a 1.14 GAA and three shutouts. Two of those
shutouts have come in four matchups as a member of the Panthers
while the other came with Nashville.

The goaltender would surely prefer some better offensive support
after making 40 saves before stopping all four shootout attempts
to set up the winning goal by Cory Stillman in Thursday's 1-0
victory at Boston. Vokoun's outstanding play was the difference
as Florida was outshot 40-23, including 19-1 in the second
period.

"We survived the second period," Vokoun said. "After the first
shootout attempt didn't go in, I thought, 'Oh, my God. It's
never going to go in.'"

Vokoun has shutouts in three of his last four games, going 3-1-0
with a 0.74 GAA. That stretch comes after he lost eight
consecutive games with a 3.77 GAA following a season-opening 4-3
shootout win over Chicago on Oct. 2.

Florida has struggled to find the net, and its 41 goals rank
near the bottom of the NHL. The Panthers have scored more than
three goals in a game only five times.

These teams split four meetings last season with the home team
winning each.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133746-Islanders-Panthers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133746-Islanders-Panthers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:25:39 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Okposo scores for Isles in overtime]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[RALEIGH, N.C.(AP) -- Kyle Okposo scored with 14.4 second left in
overtime, and John Tavares had the first two-goal game to help
the New York Islanders beat Carolina 4-3 on Friday night,
extending the Hurricanes' winless streak to 14 games.

Mark Streit added a goal, and Martin Biron made 25 saves for New
York. The Islanders blew a three-goal lead before winning in
overtime.

Questionable for the game because of swine flu, Okposo took
advantage of a Carolina turnover and snapped the puck past
Hurricanes goalie Manny Legace.

After a slow start, New York is 6-2-3 in its last 11 games.

Tuomo Ruutu, Ray Whitney and Tim Gleason scored for Carolina.
The Hurricanes matched the franchise record with their 14-game
winless streak.

With Gleason in the penalty box for roughing and unsportsmanlike
conduct, Tavares got the Islanders on the board 3:38 into the
game. The first overall draft pick took advantage of a rebound
off the boards behind the net, waiting for the puck to drop
below the crossbar before swatting it into an open net.

Streit scored on Gleason's second penalty, one-timing a shot
from the blue line to beat Legace on the blocker side.

The Islanders took a 3-0 lead later in the first period when
Tavares cleaned a scramble in front of the Hurricanes' net. It
was the third straight game New York scored three goals in the
first period, something the Islanders hadn't done since 1980.

Carolina showed its first signs of life in the second.

Ruutu scored on the man advantage, cleaning up a loose pick in
front of Biron for the Hurricanes' first power-play goal in
seven games. Whitney then tipped in Andrew Alberts' wrist shot
from the point to bring Carolina within one.

Tim Gleason's seemingly innocuous slap shot from the point
eluded Biron with 2:31 remaining in the third period to tie the
score.

Carolina hasn't won a game since Oct. 9.

Legace, making his second start for the Hurricanes since signing
Monday, made 21 saves.

After losing all four games to Carolina last season, New York is
2-0-0 against the Hurricanes this season.

NOTES: Carolina D Joni Pitkanen returned to the lineup after a
one-game absence. ... It was the second game of a seven-game
road trip for the Islanders. ... Carolina had outscored its
opponent in the second period for the first time this season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133590-Okposo-scores-for-Isles-in-overtime</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133590-Okposo-scores-for-Isles-in-overtime</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:41:20 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Hurricanes Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE LIPKA
STATS Writer

New York (6-6-6) at Carolina (2-12-3), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Losing the first six games of the season was a trying experience
for the young New York Islanders, but it was nothing compared
with what the Carolina Hurricanes are currently going through.

The depleted Hurricanes will try again to snap the longest
losing streak in franchise history as the Islanders visit
Raleigh, N.C., on Friday night.

After reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season,
Carolina (2-12-3) has quickly fallen to the bottom of the NHL,
and a turnaround won't be easy as top forward Eric Staal and
workhorse goalie Cam Ward remain out due to injuries.

The Hurricanes played a game without both players for the first
time since March 19, 2004 on Wednesday night, losing 5-2 at home
to the Los Angeles Kings - the 13th straight defeat and seventh
in a row in regulation for the sputtering club.

Carolina has not won since Oct. 9, and it has not scored more
than two goals in a game since Oct. 23, totaling 12 goals in its
last eight contests. The team was outshot 13-2 in the first
period of Wednesday's loss, going 18 minutes at one point
without a shot on goal.

"We've got to keep our heads high and everybody's ticked off,
but that's the business," defenseman Tim Gleason told the
Hurricanes' official Web site. "I keep going back to character.
I know times are tough and guys want to play better. Guys are
looking at themselves in the mirror."

The game was the team's first with newcomer Manny Legace in net
after Carolina signed the veteran to help replace Ward, who will
likely miss several weeks after his leg was cut by a skate in
Saturday's 3-2 loss at Columbus.

Legace, who had been out of the NHL following a difficult
2008-09 season, stopped 26 of 30 shots versus the Kings but
allowed two goals in a four-minute stretch midway through the
third period after Tuomo Ruutu had scored twice to tie the game.

Coach Paul Maurice was still somewhat happy with his team's
effort late in the game, if not earlier.

"We have to fight like the last 20 minutes for 60, and then
harder, and then some," Maurice said. "We're just not willing or
seem like (the players) fully appreciate, when you're
undermanned, exactly how hard you have to fight."

The Islanders' visit could present a chance for Carolina to end
its skid, if only because New York is 1-4-4 on the road.

But after its 0-3-3 start overall, the team looks to be
improving on the heels of a 5-2-1 stretch. Trent Hunter's
power-play goal in the final minutes of regulation helped New
York (6-6-6) earn a point in a 5-4 shootout loss at Washington
on Wednesday.

"That third period was huge for us," Islanders coach Scott
Gordon said. "To be able to draw the penalties against a team
that prides themselves on their third periods, it was good to
see us come back and have that power play come up big."

Hunter scored in his first game since Oct. 8 following a torn
pectoral muscle, and rookie John Tavares set up the equalizer
with his team-high ninth assist. Newcomer Matt Moulson, one of
10 Islanders forwards age 26 or younger, also scored his
team-leading eighth goal.

New York was playing without 2006 first-round draft pick Kyle
Okposo, who missed the game due to the H1N1 virus.

The Islanders had lost four straight to Carolina before a 4-3
shootout win at home on Oct. 21. New York goalie Dwayne Roloson
stopped 35 shots in the victory.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133222-Islanders-Hurricanes-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133222-Islanders-Hurricanes-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:17:25 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Clark's 11th round goal gives Caps shootout win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON(AP) -- Chris Clark scored the deciding goal in the 11th
round of the shootout, and backup goalie Semyon Varlamov came on
in relief and carried the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 comeback
victory over the New York Islanders.

Alexander Semin scored two regulation goals for the Capitals,
who played their fourth straight game without top scorer Alex
Ovechkin (upper body strain), and added one in the second round
of the shootout.

Semin gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead just 8 seconds in, but the
Islanders ended starting goalie Jose Theodore's night with three
quick goals. New York scored three times on five shots against
Theodore. Varlamov stopped 25 of 26 shots and then sealed the
win by denying Mark Streit's shootout attempt in the 11th round.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133105-Clarks-11th-round-goal-gives-Caps-shootout-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/133105-Clarks-11th-round-goal-gives-Caps-shootout-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:41:09 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Capitals Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON PALMIERI
STATS Editor

New York (6-6-5) at Washington (10-3-4), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Clearly the Washington Capitals are a better team with arguably
the league's best player in their lineup. Succeeding now without
Alex Ovechkin, however, could be beneficial in the long run.

The Capitals seek their third straight victory without Ovechkin
on Wednesday night when the New York Islanders open a seven-game
road trip at the Verizon Center.

When Ovechkin - the reigning two-time Hart and Richard Trophy
winner - suffered an upper-body injury in an overtime loss to
Columbus on Nov. 1, Washington (10-3-4) figured to experience a
dropoff in offense. After a 3-2 loss at New Jersey in their
first game without Ovechkin, the Capitals scored 11 goals in a
home-and-home sweep of Florida, capped with a 7-4 home victory
Saturday.

Tomas Fleischmann scored twice during a five-goal third period,
and Mike Knuble added two goals and two assists for Washington,
which improved to 3-4 in the seven games Ovechkin has missed
since joining the team in 2005.

"Alex is a tough guy to replace, but we've got four lines that
can score," said Brooks Laich, who had a goal and an assist.

Also missing from Washington's lineup Saturday were injured
defensemen Mike Green (upper body) and Jeff Schultz (lower
body). Green - a 2009 Norris Trophy finalist - returned to
practice Monday, but his status for Wednesday is uncertain.

"Green and Ovie aren't in the lineup. I think that says
something: that our other players are good," Capitals coach
Bruce Boudreau said. "People seem to forget that."

Fleischmann has elevated his game in Ovechkin's absence,
tallying five goals and two assists during a career-high
five-game point streak. Laich has also been a big contributor
with three goals and three assists in his past four contests.

Jose Theodore started both games versus Florida and has helped
the Capitals gain at least a point in six straight starts
(4-0-2). Theodore is 5-0-1 with a 2.30 goals-against average in
his last six starts against the Islanders, including a 4-3
overtime loss Oct. 30.

New York (6-6-5) avoided a third consecutive defeat with a 6-3
victory over visiting Atlanta on Saturday, as Sean Bergenheim,
Blake Comeau and Jack Hillen each scored their first goals of
the season.

Matt Moulson added a goal and an assist for the Islanders, who
registered a season-high 45 shots in their fourth straight home
win.

"That's a feel-good for everybody," Islanders coach Scott Gordon
said. "If you can get balanced scoring, you're a lot harder to
play against."

While strong play at home has helped them exceed expectations,
the Islanders are a dismal 1-4-3 on the road, scoring two goals
or fewer in five of those games.

That lone victory away from home came at the expense of the
Capitals, as defenseman Mark Streit scored 53 seconds into
overtime. That ended New York's five-game losing streak (0-2-3)
against Washington and marked the fourth time in the past five
meetings that the teams played past regulation.

Gordon has alternated his goalies most of the season, but Dwayne
Roloson is making a case for more playing time. He made 31 saves
Saturday to improve to 5-1-3 with a 2.74 GAA this season, and is
6-0-2 with a 1.97 GAA in his last eight starts against the
Capitals.

Islanders forward Trent Hunter (torn pectoral muscle), tied for
fifth on the team with 14 goals in 2008-09, could make his
season debut in place of right wing Kyle Okposo, who is likely
to miss the next three games due to the H1N1 flu. Okposo is
third on the team with 10 points.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132729-Islanders-Capitals-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132729-Islanders-Capitals-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:19:50 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders shake off injuries, beat Thrashers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[UNIONDALE, N.Y.(AP) -- The New York Islanders knew they needed to
take advantage of the Atlanta Thrashers at home before heading
out on a seven-game road trip.

They did exactly that, generating season highs for goals and
shots in a 6-3 victory over the Thrashers on Saturday night.

"After a couple of losses and going on the road and we have a
couple of teams that are playing well, it's big for us," said
rookie center John Tavares, who set up two goals. "We needed
this. We'll have our confidence up the next couple of days, get
our rest and get ready for some tough games to come."

Sean Bergenheim, Blake Comeau and Jack Hillen each scored their
first goals of the season for the Islanders (6-6-5), who had won
four in a row before their two-game skid. Their 45 shots were
six more than their previous season high. The Islanders got
points from 13 players.

"That's a feel-good for everybody," Islanders coach Scott Gordon
said. "If you can get balanced scoring, you're a lot harder to
play against."

New York came out aggressively against the Thrashers (6-6-1),
outscoring them 3-1 in the first period on goals by Andy Sutton,
Bergenheim and Hillen. The Islanders outshot Atlanta 21-11 in
the opening frame.

"We just tried to simplify, get a good forecheck and put pucks
to the net," Tavares said. "Once we got to them early, we really
started getting the confidence going and believe in what we were
doing, and it was working."

Tavares carried the puck across to the high slot and fed Sutton
at the left doorstep, and the defenseman backhanded it past
Ondrej Pavelec (39 saves) at 9:11 to make it 1-0.

Zach Bogosian, Pavel Kubina, and Christoph Schubert scored for
Atlanta.

Bogosian beat Dwayne Roloson (31 saves) from the top of the
right circle with 7:04 to go in the period. But Bergenheim put
the Islanders ahead 38 seconds later, converting a rebound in
front.

Hillen scored from out near the left point with 1:04 remaining
in the period to make it 3-1.

The Islanders wasted no time in the second period. Comeau,
chosen as first star of the game, carried the puck into the
Atlanta zone and ripped a shot past Pavelec's glove just 22
seconds into the period.

Comeau also had an assist after having been a healthy scratch
the previous six games. He was reinserted into the lineup
because forward Doug Weight is expected to be out for a week due
to an upper body injury.

"There were nerves," Comeau said. "I was joking around with a
couple of the guys that it felt like my first NHL game. I think
once the puck dropped, I played the way I normally play."

After Kubina cut it to 4-2 with a one-timer from the left dot,
Tavares carried the puck behind the net and sent it to Matt
Moulson between the circles. Moulson scored his team-high
seventh of the season to make it a three-goal game again with
8:01 remaining in the period.

Schubert scored his first of the season with 7:57 to go in
regulation to cut the deficit to 5-3. But Josh Bailey increased
the margin to three with a power-play goal with 4:25 left.

"It was like we had three or four guys show up and the rest of
the guys didn't," Atlanta coach John Anderson said. "That's
embarrassing. We can't play like that. That's absolutely
embarrassing."

The Thrashers, 5-2-1 on the road compared to 1-4 at home, played
again without their best player, Ilya Kovalchuk. The star
forward was lost for about a month when he broke his right foot
on Oct. 24.

But the Islanders were without one of their best players, as
well. The team announced before the game that top defenseman
Radek Martinek would be out for the season because of a torn
ligament in his right knee. Martinek was injured Friday night
during a 2-1 loss at New Jersey.

Martinek wasn't missed too much against the Thrashers.

"The Islanders haven't had over 40 shots in any game this
season," Anderson said. "What does that tell you? I got to give
them a lot of credit because they played hard after playing last
night, took a hard defeat and came back and played very, very
hard. They played a great game. That was the worst game I've
seen us play this year."

NOTES: This was the Islanders' final home game until Nov. 25.
They have 12 of their next 14 games on the road, including the
next seven, beginning Wednesday night at Washington. ... The
Thrashers finish a back-to-back set at home on Sunday against
the St. Louis Blues.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132226-Islanders-shake-off-injuries-beat-Thrashers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132226-Islanders-shake-off-injuries-beat-Thrashers</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:29:48 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Isles D Martinek out for season with knee injury]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[UNIONDALE, N.Y.(AP) -- Oft-injured New York Islanders defenseman
Radek Martinek is out for the season with a knee injury.

The 33-year-old Martinek tore the anterior cruciate ligament in
his right knee on Friday night in the third period of a 2-1 loss
at New Jersey, the Islanders said on Saturday.

Martinek was helped off the ice with about 5:45 to play after he
was hit hard against the boards in front of the Devils bench by
Zach Parise.

"To me, he's one of the best kept secrets in the NHL as far as
what he brings to the table," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said.
"His ability to play huge minutes, his ability with the skating,
to defend, to get back when he is up in the rush. At times, he
can be a one-man breakout. He's got a great stick."

The Islanders will also be without captain Doug Weight when they
host Atlanta on Saturday night. The 38-year-old center is
expected to miss a week after sustaining an undisclosed upper
body injury.

Weight has played in only 11 of New York's 16 games because of
an early season groin injury and a bout with swine flu.

Martinek, in his eighth NHL season, played in only 51 games last
season - missing 17 straight after hurting a shoulder. A bruised
right leg forced him to sit out 13 games during the 2007-08
season.

In the season before that, Martinek broke his leg and didn't
play the final 30 games. His rookie year of 2001-02 was limited
to 23 games because of a season-ending knee injury.

Martinek, who has played as many as 70 games in a season only
once, had two goals and one assist this season. He was in the
lineup for each of New York's first 16 contests.

"He's just a huge loss for us," Gordon said. "I spoke to him
today. I feel so bad for him because he was really playing well.
He was doing a great job of playing against the other teams' top
lines. It's a huge hole for us."

Veteran defenseman Freddy Meyer will take Martinek's place in
the lineup.

"It's got to be done as a group," Gordon said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132063-Isles-D-Martinek-out-for-season-with-knee-injury</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/132063-Isles-D-Martinek-out-for-season-with-knee-injury</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:55:38 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Thrashers-Islanders Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JON PALMIERI
STATS Editor

Atlanta (6-5-1) at New York (5-5-5), 7:00 p.m. EDT

While their play at home has left a lot to be desired, the
Atlanta Thrashers' outstanding road record has more than
compensated for that.

The Thrashers seek their third straight road victory Saturday
night when they face the New York Islanders for the first time
this season.

Atlanta hasn't been as sharp lately following a 4-1-0 start to
the season, winning two of their last seven games (2-4-1). They
have, however, continued to excel away from Philips Arena, going
4-0-1 since their only road regulation loss to Ottawa on Oct.
10.

That impressive road stretch started with 4-2 victories over New
Jersey and Buffalo before the Thrashers lost 2-1 in a shootout
to the Canadiens on Oct. 20. They followed with wins at Ottawa
and Montreal despite the absence of star forward Ilya Kovalchuk
- the team leader with nine goals who is expected to miss at
least another two weeks with a broken right foot.

With its best player sidelined, Atlanta (6-5-1) needs offense
from other sources and Rich Peverley has responded with two
goals and four assists in four games without Kovalchuk. Also
contributing is center Nik Antropov, who has four assists during
that span and a team-leading 12 this season.

The Thrashers fell behind 2-0 and were unable to come all the
way back in a 4-3 loss to visiting Columbus on Wednesday.

It was another poor start at home by Atlanta, which has been
outscored 6-0 in the first period of its last three home games.

"This is the same press conference as the last games at home,
and it's disappointing," coach John Anderson said. "It's not
that we're playing horrible, but we don't initiate. We wait to
see how the game goes and then we start to play."

The Islanders (5-6-5) managed few scoring chances again in a 2-1
loss at New Jersey on Friday - their second consecutive defeat
following a four-game win streak.

"This was a game we could have won 1-0 and we gave them two
opportunities and they took them," goaltender Martin Biron said.

Frans Nielsen's first-period goal is the Islanders' only tally
in their last seven periods.

Poor road play continues to plague New York, which is 1-4-3 away
from Long Island compared to 4-2-2 at home. The Islanders have
outscored opponents 11-2 during three straight wins at Nassau
Coliseum.

With Biron starting Friday, Dwayne Roloson will be back in net
for New York. Roloson has helped the Islanders gain at least one
point in seven of his eight starts, going 4-1-3 with a 2.70
goals-against average. He is 3-0-0 with a 1.66 GAA in his past
three overall games, and 4-0-1 with a tie and a 2.60 GAA
lifetime against Atlanta.

Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek won't play after he had to
be helped off the ice in the third period Friday with a right
leg injury. He likely will be replaced by Freddy Meyer.

The Thrashers won the first three meetings between the teams
last season before the Islanders recorded a 5-4 road victory
Jan. 29. Atlanta is 4-2-0 in its last six visits to Long Island.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131928-Thrashers-Islanders-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131928-Thrashers-Islanders-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:11:34 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Danis makes 23 saves, Devils win fourth straight]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

NEWARK, N.J.(AP) -- Everything is falling into place for the New
Jersey Devils.

The team is winning despite injuries, the power play is warming
up, Patrik Elias is back in the lineup and backup goalie Yann
Danis is showing he can give Martin Brodeur a day off without
causing problems.

Danis made 23 saves and stopped four in-close attempts in the
third period against his former Islanders teammates, helping the
Devils post their fourth straight win, a 2-1 decision over New
York on Friday night.

"Everytime I get to play I want to get the win, but to win
against those guys makes it a little more special," said Danis,
who signed as a free agent after spending last season with the
Islanders. "You always want to play well against your former
team."

Brian Rolston scored the winner on a power play and defenseman
Cory Murphy added his first goal as a Devil as New Jersey posted
its 10th win in 12 games.

Frans Nielsen scored for the Islanders, who have dropped two
straight after winning four in a row. Martin Biron had 29 saves
for New York.

The game also marked the return of Elias to the Devils' lineup.
He missed the first 13 coming back from hip and groin surgery
and played well, nearly scoring in each of the first two
periods.

"I felt good for being out for the first time in five months,"
said Elias, who played 16 minutes.

"When he's at his best he is going to help our team," Devils
coach Jacques Lemaire said.

Danis had a relatively easy night until the Islanders stepped up
their game in the final period. He stopped Matt Moulson from low
in the left circle with 13:17 to go and then made saves on
close-in shots by Mark Streit and rookie John Tavares with just
over 6 minutes to play.

Danis also got a piece of Kyle Okposo's shot in the waning
seconds that slid along the goal line and was cleared.

"I didn't know the last one was that close," Danis said. "I
watched the replay on the Jumbotron and didn't realize the puck
went across the goal line like that."

Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek had to be helped off the ice
with about 5:45 to play after appearing to hurt his right leg in
front of the New Jersey bench.

After the game, Islanders coach Scott Gordon did not know the
extent of his injury.

Rolston's winner came just 24 seconds after Andy Sutton was sent
off for hooking in the second period. Defenseman Andy Greene,
who set up Niclas Bergfors' power-play, game winner against
Washington on Wednesday, walked the puck across the blue line
and feathered it to Rolston on the point for a hard shot.

The goal was the second in as many games for 36-year-old
Rolston, and his 100th for the Devils.

"We're really battling," said Rolston, who is in his second
stint in New Jersey. "We are really played well tonight. We had
a lot of good scoring opportunities and the last game we had two
huge power-play goals and we got another tonight. Our power play
hasn't been the greatest but it's coming, and it will improve
with Patty coming back."

Biron took the blame on Murphy's goal on a shot from the right
point that tied the game early in the second period.

"I tried to steer it to the corner before I stopped it," Biron
said. "It got the underneath of my blade and snuck through. It
was a bad goal at a bad time in the game. This was a game we
could have won 1-0 and we gave them two opportunities and they
took them."

Murphy was grateful.

"It was pretty lucky, but I'll take it," Murphy said.

Sean Bergenheim set Nielson's goal at 6:23 of the first period.
He outdueled Bergfors for the puck along the left boards and
centered a pass to Nielsen, who rolled it past Danis after
almost whiffing on his first shot.

NOTES: Nielsen's goal was his first in 11 games against the
Devils. ... Before the game, the Devils put D Johnny Oduya and C
Rob Niedermayer on injured reserve and activated Elias. ...
Ilkka Pikkarainen earned his first NHL point on Murphy's goal.
... With the win, Danis becomes the fourth Devils' goalie to win
his first two appearances, joining John Vanbiesbrouck (4), Alain
Chevrier (2) and Brodeur (2), who got his second night off in 14
games this season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131903-Danis-makes-23-saves-Devils-win-fourth-straight</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131903-Danis-makes-23-saves-Devils-win-fourth-straight</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:33 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Devils Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA
STATS Senior Writer

New York (5-5-5) at New Jersey (9-4-0), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A lack of scoring has been perhaps the New Jersey Devils'
biggest problem at home. They must have figured they'd be
somewhat limited without Patrik Elias.

With a chance to win two straight at the Prudential Center for
the first time this season, the Devils may have one of their top
scoring threats back as they face the New York Islanders on
Friday night.

A 3-2 victory over Washington on Wednesday night was the second
home win of the season for New Jersey (9-4-0). The Devils lost
four of their previous five at the Prudential Center, scoring
two goals or fewer in each of those contests.

New Jersey has been without Elias all season following groin
surgery in mid-September, but the veteran center may be ready to
return.

Elias had 78 points (31 goals, 47 assists) in 77 games with the
Devils last season. He has two goals and three assists in his
last four home games versus the Islanders (5-5-5).

The Devils haven't been completely unproductive without Elias.
They've won three straight and nine of 11 despite their problems
at home, winning all seven of their road games.

"We've won two of our last three at home - that's not too bad,"
goaltender Martin Brodeur told the Devils' official Web site.
"You have to see the positives here. We're playing well."

Nicklas Bergfors gave the Devils a boost against Washington,
scoring two power-play goals in the third period. Bergfors, a
first-round pick in 2005, picked up his game after coach Jacques
Lemaire put him on a line with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise.

"Those are great players," said Bergfors, third on the team
behind Parise and Zajac with four goals. "You kind of raise your
level much easier."

Zajac had assists on both of Bergfors' goals while Parise had
one on the 22-year-old right wing's second score. Parise leads
the Devils with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and has six
goals and nine assists in his last nine games against New York.

He helped the Devils go 4-2-0 against the Islanders in 2008-09.

New York has shown signs of improvement this season, winning
four straight by a combined score of 15-5 before a 3-0 loss at
Buffalo on Wednesday night. The Islanders had earned points in
six straight (4-0-2).

Road games have given New York trouble, though. The Islanders
are 1-3-3 away from Nassau Coliseum, averaging 2.1 goals.

New York beat the Sabres 5-0 at home Saturday night but couldn't
generate anything offensively against the NHL's top defense
Wednesday.

Islanders rookie John Tavares was held off the scoresheet
following a four-game point streak (two goals, two assists). The
19-year-old center's 11 points (five goals, six assists) put him
in a tie with Matt Moulson for the team lead.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131589-Islanders-Devils-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131589-Islanders-Devils-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:03:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Miller, Sabres beat Islanders 3-0]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[BUFFALO, N.Y.(AP) -- After being shut out by the New York
Islanders four days ago, Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres
returned the favor.

Miller made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and
14th overall, and Thomas Vanek had a goal and assist in
Buffalo's 3-0 victory Wednesday night.

Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad also scored to help the Sabres
(9-2-1) rebound from a 5-0 loss to the Islanders on Saturday on
Long Island.

"We played a real sound game coming off that loss," Miler said.
"We did a very sound job pushing the puck up the ice, and we
didn't give up anything that was too dangerous. We want to be a
team that's in control."

They were certainly that against an Islanders team had won four
straight by a combined score of 15-5. But New York was unable to
generate much offense against the NHL's stingiest defense and
its shut-down goalie.

Buffalo has allowed just 24 goals in 12 games this season, and
played perhaps one of its best overall games against the
Islanders. The Sabres took 39 shots, scored twice on the power
play, and killed off three Islanders man-advantage
opportunities.

"It was a real great effort," said Vanek, who scored for the
first time in five games. "We adjusted good from the other
night, and overall played well and deserved to win."

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron made 36 saves for the
Islanders (5-5-5), who were attempting to win five straight for
the first time since a six-game run in February 2008.

Biron earned the shutout against his former teammates four days
ago.

"I don't think it was anything they did, I think we beat
ourselves tonight," Islanders forward Kyle Okposo said. "We
didn't create a whole lot of opportunities. When we had some, we
shot ourselves in the foot."

Miller helped pull that trigger by repeatedly clearing pucks to
the side or covering them up.

"I think they had to find their moments," Miller said. "They
couldn't get a consistent attack going, which I think is why we
ended up winning that game."

Roy opened the scoring with his first of the season at 8:27 of
the first period on the power play, wristing a shot from the top
of the left circle that beat Biron on the stick side. Buffalo
cashed in again on the power play with 2:47 left in the second
period when Vanek deposited the puck past Biron on his own
rebound from in tight.

Gaustad capped the scoring with 3:41 left when he jammed the
puck in. The play was upheld after a video review showed the
puck crossed the goal line before Biron was able to freeze it.

"They did a lot of things right, but you combine that with our
lack of efficiency in the face-off dot, our lack of urgency at
times, poor decisions, and not skating when we had the
opportunity, it was a bad combination," Islanders coach Scott
Gordon said. "They are one of the better teams in the league,
and they have the ability to do what they did."

NOTES: Buffalo recalled G Jhonas Enroth to replace injured
backup Patrick Lalime, who hurt his groin in practice earlier in
the week. D Toni Lydman was placed on IR because of a groin
injury. ... This was the third meeting between the two teams
already this season. ... New York rookie John Tavares has a
four-game points streak snapped. ... The Islanders will play
eight of their next nine on the road, where they have a 1-3-3
record. ... The Sabres have beaten the Islanders eight times in
the last 10 meetings in Buffalo. ... The Sabres were successful
on 39 of 47 faceoffs.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131395-Miller-Sabres-beat-Islanders-3-0</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131395-Miller-Sabres-beat-Islanders-3-0</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:20:02 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Islanders-Sabres Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By PAUL DIGIACOMO
STATS Senior Editor

New York (5-4-5) at Buffalo (8-2-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

After a dismal start to the season, the New York Islanders are
on one of their best runs in nearly two years. A matchup with a
team they dominated just a few days ago could help them continue
that strong play.

New York looks to win its fifth straight Wednesday night when it
visits the Buffalo Sabres, who were routed at Nassau Coliseum on
Saturday.

The Islanders began 2009-10 with nine losses in 10 games (1-4-5)
before turning things around. They have won four in a row,
outscoring opponents 15-5, and can win five straight for the
first time since a six-game run from Feb. 12-21, 2008.

This is the second time since that stretch that New York (5-4-5)
has won four in a row, also accomplishing the feat Jan. 21-Feb.
3.

"It's easier when you're winning, but we want to remind
ourselves that we can't get away from what made us successful -
it's hard work," defenseman Brendan Witt said after scoring
twice in Monday's 3-1 win over Edmonton.

Witt, in his 14th NHL season, has scored 25 goals in his career
and had gone 92 games since netting one Jan. 22, 2008, at
Carolina.

He didn't register a point against Buffalo (8-2-1) on Saturday,
when the Islanders posted their first shutout and set a season
high in goals with five behind Jeff Tambellini's hat trick.

"We've had our chances and scoring hasn't come easy for us,"
coach Scott Gordon said after that win. "I'm encouraged that
every night it's been a different line that's made the
difference."

On Monday, 19-year-old rookie John Tavares scored his fifth goal
and 38-year-old captain Doug Weight added two assists.

"The guys have been on the same page now for a little bit and
we're starting to see some results," forward Kyle Okposo said.
"I don't think that we've changed a ton of how we've played, but
I think that the team has a lot of confidence."

Saturday's loss snapped a four-game win streak for Buffalo,
which was shut out for the first time and allowed a season high
in goals.

Ryan Miller entered with an 8-0-1 record and a 1.64
goals-against average before being pulled by coach Lindy Ruff
after the Islanders built a 3-0 lead in the second period.

"It'd be nice to win 82 games, but we know that's not going to
happen," center Derek Roy said. "There's going to be some bumps
in the road and we got to go right off the bat."

Roy has struggled early. The sixth-year player has yet to score
after averaging nearly 25 goals in the past four seasons.

"They'll come. I just gotta battle through this, keep working
hard," he said. "We're winning games so it's not a bad thing."

The Sabres now return home, where they are 4-1-1 and beat New
York 6-3 on Oct. 16 for their seventh win in nine meetings with
the Islanders at HSBC Arena since the start of the 2005-06
season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131024-Islanders-Sabres-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/131024-Islanders-Sabres-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:45:49 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Witt's 2 goals give Isles 4th straight win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By IRA PODELL
AP Hockey Writer

UNIONDALE, N.Y.(AP) -- Brendan Witt was already having the game of
his life when chants of his name echoed around Nassau Coliseum.

The hard-hitting defenseman had two goals in the bank when fans
clamored for more in the final minute of the New York Islanders'
3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. The net at the
other end was empty, and Witt had a chance at a most-improbable
hat trick.

He had to settle for two goals, which was twice as many as he
scored in his previous 861 NHL games.

"It would've been nice, but whatever," Witt said.

Witt's unexpected outburst and two assists from captain Doug
Weight were enough to stretch the Islanders' winning streak to a
season-high four games.

Dwayne Roloson played well in stopping 22 shots against his
former team, and New York didn't give up any power-play chances
to the Oilers.

"It's easier when you're winning, but we want to remind
ourselves that we can't get away from what made us successful -
it's hard work," Witt said.

Witt, in his 14th NHL season, scored twice in the second period.
He has netted only 25 goals in his career and had gone 92
contests since his previous tally on Jan. 22, 2008, at Carolina.

The 38-year-old Weight helped set up rookie John Tavares'
first-period goal that lifted the Islanders into a 1-all tie and
he earned another assist on Witt's second that made it 3-1.

New York lost its first six games (0-3-3) but has gone 5-1-2
since to get into shouting range of the rest of the Atlantic
Division. Roloson, in his first Islanders season, improved to
4-0-1 in his past five starts.

"The guys have been on the same page now for a little bit and
we're starting to see some results," forward Kyle Okposo said.
"I don't think that we've changed a ton of how we've played, but
I think that the team has a lot of confidence."

Witt scored from an odd angle along the left wing boards when he
flipped a puck that found its way through a maze and past
Nikolai Khabibulin 2:32 into the second. He punctuated that goal
with a fist pump and then struck again at 12:35 with a shot from
just inside the blue line.

"The first one kind of caught Khabibulin ... I don't think he
was ready," Witt said. "The second one, I got fortunate. I think
it went off one of their guys and beat him. You never know what
happens when you throw the puck at the net."

The flu-ridden Oilers (7-7-1) managed to grab an early lead when
Ethan Moreau scored his second, but they couldn't sustain the
momentum. Edmonton has lost five of six overall and has dropped
five straight on the road.

Khabibulin stopped 34 shots and lost for the third time in four
games. He has played in 13 of Edmonton's 15 games.

"We sure shoot ourselves in the foot," Oilers coach Pat Quinn
said. "We are a team that beats themselves right now.

"In the second period, we abandoned again any principles of
defense in the defensive zone. If you check like that, you lose
hockey games. That's all there is to it. They played like the
Harlem Globetrotters for a couple of shifts there, and they're
not even a physical team."

The Oilers have been struggling for offense, having been shut
out in three of four previous games. They got off to a quick
start when Moreau, from behind the net, bounced a puck in off
Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek's skate with 8:58 left in
the first.

However, getting enough pucks to the net has become a troubling
trend.

"On both sides of the ice, we're just not efficient enough,"
Moreau said.

Tavares tied it 3:49 later. After the Oilers turned over the
puck behind their net, Matt Moulson found Tavares with a quick
pass as Tavares glided unchecked down the slot.

Tavares, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, is
beginning to live up to his hype. The 19-year-old forward has
five goals and 11 points in 14 games.

The Islanders played a solid, disciplined game. Andy Sutton
fought charging Edmonton forward Jean-Francois Jacques in the
first period. Jacques was called for instigating in retaliation
for Sutton's hard, clean check on Tom Gilbert.

Sutton's major was the only Islanders penalty until Okposo went
off for roughing in the final minute.

NOTES: New York was 0 for 4 on the power play. ... Witt has
three other two-point games in the NHL. This was the first since
March 26, 2002, at Buffalo while with Washington. ... Former
Islanders C Mike Comrie sat out for the fifth time in six games
because of the flu. At least five Edmonton players have been
sick recently. ... The Oilers hadn't played on Long Island since
Dec. 10, 2005. They haven't won there since Dec. 14, 1999.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nhl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/130922-Witts-2-goals-give-Isles-4th-straight-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nhl/news/130922-Witts-2-goals-give-Isles-4th-straight-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:43:59 GMT</pubDate>
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