December 2013
A record of 6-6-2 for the month (20-16-5 on the season) finds the Islanders slowly falling down the standings - they're now in 5th place in the Metro Division, and 9th in the Eastern Conference.
With the exception of two bad games by Evgeny Nabakov, the team continues to play hard and brings the compete level on a nightly basis. Nabakov was 1-3 (again) during the month but the goals against continues to climb higher as the netminder allowed an incredible 18 goals against in his 4 starts. Braden Holtby continues to play extremely well.
Highlights this month include rookie Brock Nelson recording his first career hat trick, and in a gruesome injury, Eric Boulton tore his UCL and will miss at least 9 months. Speaking of injuries, Frans Nielsen is sidelined for a month and Michael Grabner was injured for 3 weeks. Josh Bailey has slid into the #2 center ice spot and Anders Lee was given a chance as the LW on the 2nd line. Bailey continues to play well but Lee has struggled. Grabner's return will bump Lee to the 3rd line. Matt Donovan has yet to play a game this season, and its believed that he's asked for a trade.
On the trade front, trading Matt Moulson continues to prove itself as a difficult task. There is also need for a backup goalie - although Anders Nilsson will get a chance to prove himself very soon. Perhaps Nabakov can be packaged with Moulson....
