John Tavares records 3-point game vs. Jets

New York Islanders celebrate on the ice after defeating the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 in an NHL hockey game, Monday, October 12, 2015, in New York. “It’s great for Brooklyn and great for the fans who have been lous and supportive”.

John Tavares had a power-play goal and added two assists, Thomas Greiss made 22 saves and the Islanders beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 for their first win of the season and the first in their new Brooklyn home.

The Islanders came out with objective after losing their opening two games of the season to the defending champion Blackhawks, one in overtime at home and the other in regulation in Chicago. “So when we get the puck on our power play – obviously entries have been a problem for us – but once we get in, we have to find a way to get pucks to the net”. He kept us in it and made a lot of saves.

The Islanders outshot the visitors 16-6 in the opening period and had a 20-9 shots advantage in the second.

Loved Brock Nelson’s poise and far-post shot on the 3-on-1, after looking off Tavares.

“We came out with kind of a do-or-die mentality”, John Tavares said.

“We talked with Ryan [Sunday], and he knows he had to pick his game up”, Jack Capuano said. The referees awarded the Islanders an extra man three times in the first 17 minutes of play, but each time New York failed to capitalize despite putting pressure on Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. “With each game that passes, the more comfortable you feel”, Tavares said. Pavelec stopped Tavares on a penalty shot with 2:15 remaining to keep the score 3-2.

In the end, the Islanders fired 43 shots at Pavelec (44 with the empty netter) while Winnipeg managed 24 shots at New York netminder Thomas Greiss. “Hopefully it was just an isolated incident”, Jets center Bryan Little said of the penalties. “We didn’t have success against Chicago, but if you watched us play (today), the focus, the preparation from the drop of the puck, we dominated the hockey game”. But he was steady when he had to be, only allowing a late second-period goal to Mark Scheifele and power-play goal by Dustin Byfuglien at 11:52 of the third. “That’s not our mindset”, Capuano said.

Apparently, his players heard the message loud and clear. They play the Rangers on Tuesday at 6p.m. Pavelec also denied defenseman Travis Hamonic on a breakaway midway through the second and made 40 saves overall. In 2014-15, he led the Islanders in each category, matching a career high with eight game-winners and establishing a personal best with 13 power-play goals. “It was too many penalties. I think we had a good first outing here, just didn’t get the result, but it was nice to get it tonight for sure”. He is likely to shoulder the load while goaltender Jaroslav Halak is out with an upper-body injury.

The Islanders have two more home games this week against Nashville on Thursday and San Jose on Saturday. They made the playoffs previous year from a tough division, and with a tough first-round draw, and they were off to a good start in – short sample alert! – their first two games.