Big bounce back win vs the Red Wings (sorry RW & Bosc).
Howard pulled after giving up 3 goals in less than 8 minutes, on 7 shots.
Nelson with every player's dream, getting a breakaway stepping out of the penalty box.
Barzal appeared to make it 7-1, celebrated briefly while behind the net, then looked skywards and told the ref "no goal. Didn't cross". Review showed the puck rolling inside the line, but leaning outwards. If it was a close game I'd have been pissed at the call. But the ref's call was certainly no Wes Cauley. He said something along the lines of "after further review, the ice didn't. (long pause). The line didn't cross. (long pause) No goal!" Brendan Burke left an awkward pause and then explained that the veteran ref, with well over 1000 games let the rookie with 6 NHL games give the call.
Speaking of rookies, Noah Dobson got his first NHL goal. Wrist shot that was going high/wide but hit Biega's arm, Pickard's glove and went in. The Isles mobbed him and Dobson looked embarrassed. On the bench you could read his lips, saying to his mentor Boychuk something along the lines of it not being a good goal. Boychuk replied "you scored. It's in. Enjoy it!" and gave him a shove. Like a druncle at Thanksgiving.
And going the other way, the Isles once again gave up an NHL 1st goal to Givani Smith. I swear they must hold the record for most NHL 1st goals given up. Okay, an original 6 team has more years, so maybe % wise the Isles do. It just feels like every 5th game they give up a 1st goal. Or let someone break a drought, like Gomez. I guess Wings fans could say the same, because Uncle Leo Komarov scored his first regular season goal in a little over a year (he had a goal vs Pitt in the playoffs).
Cizikas is still out after the nut shot taken over the weekend. Yeesh.
Rangers again on Thursday. Hopefully the Isles show up to play like this, not like they did on Monday.