Ottawa onslaught

Series may have slipped away from Isles early in Game 4

Ottawa came storming out to open this contest. The pace was dizzying and seemed to catch New York off guard with the net result being a quick two-goal lead for the Sens. And if the Isles weren't on their heels to begin with, the early deficit had them reeling.

Sure, the Islanders scored a power-play goal in the second period to momentarily draw within one, but Marian Hossa quickly restored the two-goal cushion. Then the game became an exercise in the Sens showing their superior depth, discipline and defense posture. The Islanders looked fatigued throughout, unable to mount much of anything on the attack.

Isles head coach Peter Laviolette changed his lines and defensive pairings, doing all he could to jump-start his team. But, sometimes playing 52-pickup with your lines is a losing hand. The Isles didn't take to the new combinations and remained flat, especially skating five-on-five.

Quite possibly, this game was lost in the double-overtime loss in Game 3. Laviolette and the Islanders emptied the bag in an effort to win that one. He shortened his bench to the point of predominantly playing only 13 guys. The physical exertion and the mental disappointment left the Islanders with little zip in this one.

Credit Sens head coach Jacques Martin for coming up with a scheme that put pressure on the Isles right out of the gate. He had his defensemen active early, pushing the attack from the backline. Once they had the lead, they simply worked hard to protect it and preserve it. Their work ethic -- combined with the early deficit the Isles faced -- gave meaning to the old adage that you can't win a game in the first 10 minutes of a game, but you certainly can lose it.

And for the listless Islanders, with it, maybe the series.

Three Stars

First Star: Hossa had a goal and an assist, but his persistence away from the puck stood out and epitomized the team's attention to defensive detail.

Second Star: Rookie defenseman Anton Volchenkov was active at both ends -- good on the attack through the first two periods, while playing solidly in his end for the entire 60 minutes.

Third Star: Mike Fisher scored the first goal of the game 28 seconds in and skated well all night long.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason and is also broadcasting games for NHL Radio.

 

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