Kevin Klein tries to stop John Tavares from accessing the puck.

The Predators took New York by storm today, blowing passed the New York Islanders in their wake 3-1 (their 5th consecutive win).  The Islanders aren’t a terrible team, as they did dismantle the Detroit Red Wings on the 10th 5-1, but the Predators came out in Long Island on fire, prepared to sweep the East Coast (hopefully). Here are they highlights of today’s afternoon win on Long Island:

KEY POINTS:

• Jerred Smithson is still tied down in the IR, but both Brian McGrattan and, despite feeling “100% better”, Craig Smith found themselves scratched from the game.
• Sergei Kostitsyn was first to draw blood during this game, scoring his 11th goal of the season at 2:17 in the first period. His only assistance came from Ryan Ellis. This is also Sergei’s sixth goal in eight shots this month.
• Matt Halischuk was quick to put the Predators up 2-0 at 5:34, with no assistance from his fellow teammates.
• David Legwand also responded quickly, sending the Predators up 3-0 at 11:37 in the first period. He was assisted by Martin Erat and Colin Wilson.
• At 7:04 in the first, Ryan Suter, who was rumored to have suffered an upper-body injury during the Flyers, as pulled from the game. He is expected to miss tomorrow’s game against the New York Rangers. The second period was relatively quite, with no goals from either team.
• John Tavares would score the only goal for the Islanders during the game at 16:02 in the 3rd period.
• Pekka Rinne was on his A-game, blocking 36 of 37 shots on goal. In the second period alone, Pekka blocked 19 shots. Only Tavares’s goal in the third slipped past the Finnish phenom.
• The Predators were only given one power play opportunity, but the Preds gave the Islanders three chances to advance on the power play, including a 5-3. Here are the guys who took the penalties:

1. Colin Wilson – 17:59 1st Period – Elbowing
2. Gabriel Bourque – 8:33 2nd Period – Hooking
3. Mike Fisher – 9:23 2nd Period – Hi-Sticking

Tomorrow, the Predators take on the other New York team, the Rangers, at 6:30PM CST. This will be on NBC-Sports, which is just Versus, but with a new name.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)