Tavares a terror as Devils drop decision

The New York Islanders used two silly penalties to break open a scoreless game late in the second period to score 2 power play goals among a three goal blitz and cruised thereafter to a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Nassau Coliseum.
John Tavares finished with a hat trick for the Islanders and only a third period goal on the power play by Marek Zidlicky (1) allowed the Devils to avoid the shutout.
New Jersey gets one day off before a Presidents Day matinee' against the battered Ottawa Senators.

Hell Raisers

1) This game was decided by two dumb penalties by veteran defensemen that should know better.
Bryce Salvador was called for a high stick that was mainly part of a push and shove battle with Matt Martin,which as mom and dad always told us,the second person always gets caught.
Henrik Tallinder then was called for an easily avoidable tripping penalty for another power play that resulted in the kill shot for the evening.
I expect more from veterans.

2) Speaking of Tallinder,he had been scratched for the previous few games and had complained about it somewhat.
After his performance in last night's game,I would not be against some more downtime for the Swede.
Could it have been rust? Perhaps,but if I am picking by performance,Tallinder returns to the bench...
Tallinder also was called for a hook that led to an Islander penalty shot.

3) Johan Hedberg tailed off in the third period,but the second period goals were not his fault,especially one goal that was set up by a Andy Greene swing and miss that brought Nick Swisher to mind.
Hedberg also gets credit for a nice save on a penalty shot against David Ullstrom,so an evening that was not as bad as five goals looks on the scoresheet...

4) I know it seems like I am picking on the defense.but it deserves it as I cannot pick one guy that had a nice game.
Adam Larsson was average,I suppose and Marek Zidlicky scored a goal,which made up for the one that he could be blamed for,but the rest are better unmentioned than particularly mentioned...

5) Rachel will hate to see this,but Jacob Josefson makes me wonder.
Every time that I think that he is on the verge of putting things together,he disappears for games at a time.
Josefson has just one assist on the season....

Photo Credit:AP Photo