The Islanders locker room was littered with Bridgeport Sound Tigers equipment last night, as so many current members of the team spent much of the season with its AHL affiliate. Yet, it wasn’t evident on the ice, as the Isles outskated and outworked the Penguins, who are battling Montreal for the top spot in the East.
The 4-1 victory was a far cry from the team’s prior outing, a desultory loss in Philadelphia on Sunday. And regardless of whether the Isles, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention against the Flyers, are simply trying to make things more difficult for their opponents trying to boost themselves in the standings, coach Ted Nolan just wants to see more of it.
“I don’t know if we’re spoilers,” Nolan said. “For one thing, if you don’t want to play, then play lunch-hour hockey in small towns. We’re in the National Hockey League. We’re here to play hard.”
It helped that the Penguins were once again without Sidney Crosby, who has missed six straight matches and 27 of 30 because of a sprained right ankle. He participated in yesterday’s morning skate before deciding it was still too sore. He could return tonight against the Devils.
“He’s the best player in the world and you have to know where he is on the ice at all times,” said Wade Dubielewicz, who stopped 28 shots.
Still, the Pens had gone 4-1 in their previous five without Crosby. Last night, the Isles were without Mike Comrie (flu), but got a short-handed goal from Richard Park to take a 1-0 lead and then Bill Guerin scored the game-winner 11:45 into the second before Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter provided insurance goals.
For a team that had dropped seven of eight overall, as well as five in a row at home, any win is a welcome change.
“We have a lot of new guys and we’re getting it,” Bergenheim said.
They hope that continues when they visit Pittsburgh on Thursday.
“We hope from here on in teams take us for granted,” Dubielewicz said. “We have a feisty group and guys are starting to realize the opportunity they have.”