MacDonald Leads Islanders Over Rangers 2-1 at MSG

Joey MacDonald standing on his head + offense from Richard Park and Nate Thompson = win. This is not the formula on which the Islanders are counting for success.

Or is it? Outstanding goaltending + tenacious defense + opportunistic, aggressive offense = too much for the opponent to overcome.

MacDonald was the difference. And just a few days after a frustrated Marty Turco called out the skaters in front of him for trying to play goalie and not letting him see the puck, MacDonald was buoyed by 32 blocked shots from his support staff. The Isles also scored 27 hits.

It was important for Nate Thompson to get on the scoresheet, even if he did so with a put-the-pizza-in-the-oven goal. Clearly, Garth Snow and Scott Gordon did not bring Thompson here for organizational depth, but to play a meaty role. It's reasonable to hope that breaking through for his first goal will boost his confidence and get him on track to being the complete player he was in the AHL. Can you imagine Thompson developing into a Michael Peca type player? That's a lofty expectation, but it's fun to think about the ceiling for some of these young guys.

Nate Thompson puts the pizza in the oven.

Of course, we're still staring at two scoreless periods that were rescued by two shorthanded goals in the third. Consistent five-on-five scoring is the next hurdle to overcome. But for now, let's enjoy having won two in a row.

The New York (Global) Times covered the New York Islanders vs. the New York Rangers in New York City with an Associated Press article. Stu Hackel did provide some commentary in Slap Shot.


Fantasy Report

Game 11: Islanders 4, Blue Jackets 3, OT
Fantasy Stars of the Game
1st Star: Chris Campoli (2 G, 1 SHG, +2, 4 SOG, 4 BkS, 1 hit)
2nd Star: Trent Hunter (2 A, 1 SHA, +2, 3 SOG, 1 hit)
3rd Star: Richard Park (1 G, 1 A, +1, 3 SOG,
4th Star: Mike Comrie (2 A, 1 SHA, +1, 2 BkS)
5th Star: Bill Guerin (1 G, +1, 2 SOG, 2 BkS, 2 PIMs, 5 hits)

Game 12: Islanders 2, Rangers 1
Fantasy Stars of the Game
1st Star: Joey MacDonald (W, 1.00 GAA, .972 SV%)
2nd Star: Frans Nielsen (1 A, 1 SHA, +2, 4 SOG, 3 BkS, 2 hits)
3rd Star: Nate Thompson (1 G, 1 SHG, +1, 1 SOG, 2 BkS, 4 hits)
4th Star: Richard Park (1 G, 1 SHG, +1, 3 SOG)
5th Star: Thomas Pock (1 A, 1 SHA, +1, 1 SOG, 2 BkS, 1 hit)

Fantasy Star Points Top Ten (Through 12 Games)

1. Streit 31
2. Guerin 22
3. Hunter 22
4. Weight 15
5. Park 12
6. MacDonald 9.5
7. Bergenheim 9
8. Comrie 9
9. Thompson 8
10. Meyer 7