Grabbing the spotlight: Michael Grabner celebrates one of his two goals in the Islanders 4-3 shootout win over the Devils.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez

It was supposed to be about John Tavares. Much is expected from the Islander captain in 2013-14. On a night when he was held in check, another teammate stepped up. Michael Grabner stole the show scoring twice and setting up another in the Isles’ 4-3 shootout win over the Devils at Newark. Easily the best player for either side, the fourth-year forward was all over the ice.

With Tavares tightly guarded by Devil defensemen Andy Greene and Bryce Salvador, Grabner came to play. Using superb speed, he blew past Devil defenders twice beating Martin Brodeur on breakaways. The first one came in direct response to new Devil Damien Brunner scoring the game’s first goal. Taking an outlet from Travis Hamonic, he was gone tying it up 5:08 later. Just call him the Austrian Flash.

When the Islanders needed a spark, Grabner provided it. The Devils carried much of the play in the second period. Sustained pressure led to another new pickup Michael Ryder rebounding home his first 4:46 into the second. Evgeni Nabokov made a couple of big saves keeping his team within striking distance. The veteran netminder was strong making 26 saves while stopping all six Devil shooters in the skill competition. Grabner again came to the rescue when he beat Adam Larsson and then snuck a wrist shot five-hole on Brodeur.

It’s that kind of blazing speed the 26-year old Austrian possesses that makes him a good asset for the Islanders. It won’t be easy for the rebuilding club to make the playoffs in a full season. That’s where secondary scoring comes in. In three seasons, Grabner has scored 70 goals including 16 last year. A respectable total for a dangerous game breaker who can be lethal shorthanded. In his rookie season with the club, the former Panther notched six shorthanded goals while registering career bests in goals (34), assists (18) and points (52). That’s the kind of skill he possesses. Once, he was selected by Vancouver in the first round in ’06. On a club that includes shootout hero Matt Moulson, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen, he can be overlooked.

Entering tonight, Grabner had four goals and three assists versus the Devils. It easily could’ve been double if not for Brodeur stoning him. His speed and defensive instincts make him a player you have to account for. Tonight, the Devils forgot to and were burned literally. Over a minute into the third, he was at it again setting up Nielsen’s first. Brunner would tie it again after rookie Brock Nelson’s hooking penalty expired. Before the seesaw contest went to overtime and a shootout, the game was on Grabner’s stick. In he came once more on Brodeur. Only this time Marty was ready getting serenaded by the home crowd. In that moment, you could hear gasps from those same fans. Brodeur’s biggest save allowed the Devils to get a point.

In the shootout, neither goalie budged. A pair of elder statesmen stopped the first 11 shooters in their tracks. Then, Moulson wired one inside the near post sending everyone home. Interestingly, Grabner wasn’t selected by Jack Capuano. If he had already used him, the drama might’ve ended earlier. Maybe next time for the Austrian Flash.