Capuano sends Tavares a message
[object Object] Credit: Jim McIsaac #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Minnesota Wild. (Oct. 10, 2011)
A couple of Islanders have been guilty of trying to do too much to generate offense through two games. Top center John Tavares may be at the top of Jack Capuano's list.
Tavares did draw the penalty that led to the Islanders' first goal, but he also took an offensive-zone penalty and, worse for Capuano, tried to make too fancy a play inside the Wild's zone in the third. The turnover led to Matt Cullen's goal.
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A couple of Islanders have been guilty of trying to do too much to generate offense through two games. Top center John Tavares may be at the top of Jack Capuano's list.
Tavares did draw the penalty that led to the Islanders' first goal, but he also took an offensive-zone penalty and, worse for Capuano, tried to make too fancy a play inside the Wild's zone in the third. The turnover led to Matt Cullen's goal.
"We've got to learn from that. We can't get cute in the neutral zone and turn pucks over," Capuano said. "A lot of guys have to understand that we need to get pucks deep and put them in safe areas."
Tavares played just 14:28, his lowest ice-time total since Feb. 20, 2010. That was partially a function of needing to kill seven Wild power plays, but Capuano clearly wasn't happy with that turnover. Tavares had one shot on goal and had a partial breakaway in the third that Dany Heatley broke up by lifting Tavares' stick from behind.
"You obviously like to score on your opportunities," he said. "I had some chances. Heatley made a good play there."
No goalie statement
Capuano decided to keep the entire lineup intact from Saturday, giving Al Montoya another start despite the opening loss.
"There's no statement. We have three quality goaltenders," he said. "Al got the first game, we gave him that chance and he played extremely well.
"It's not an ideal situation for [the three goaltenders], but we want to make sure we have that position solidified."