It looks like the Hockey Injury Ninja has once again invaded the Islanders organization. We've seen this movie before, and it doesn't end well. But there are games to be played whether or not all the pieces that were supposed to be in place actually are.
The reports of Visnovsky skating with the team are encouaging. But they're sort of Crosby-like. When I asked directly about him, I was told "when there is something to report, we will report it." The Isles have always been quite secretive about injury, this season is no different but the outcome may be the same.
But, hey. Every team has their injury woes. That's hockey. It's what the players given their chance to shine actually do with the opportunity that matters. For the next four weeks, Kevin Poulin has a chance to show the NHL he is 'an elite' goalie. Elite was the word that Butch Goring used before Poulin gave up a few his last outing. Bad timing.
Anders Nilsson, who like Poulin is also 23-years-old, played four games with the Islanders back in the 11-12 season. He will probably see a few more NHL games this season as the 6'5" Swede has been waiting in the wings for quite some time. His Bridgeport record is good, but not great. In 2011-12 he played 25 games; 15-8-2 and this season he has played 21; 8-11.
Poulin fared slightly better in Bridgeport. In 2011-12 he played 49 games; 26-18- 4. In 2012-12 he played 32 games and was over .500 with 15 -14 - 3.
So he faced the Maple Leafs tonight in Toronto. The Leafs have 25 poings and played one fewer game than the Islanders who stand at 19 points. But John Tavares has more points than the Leafs top scorer Phil Kessel. Tavares has 25 points and Kesssel has 19. Nielsen and Okposo also have more ponits than the Leafs next best scorers at 21 and 20. JVR has 15, Raymond has 15 and Kadri, who will not play while serving suspension has 14.
Playing the Leafs is always a crap shoot. Anything can happen.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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