The Islanders will look to get their season out of reverse tonight as they are in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins. Thomas Vanek, Michael Grabner and Radek Martinek will all return to the lineup tonight. As a result, Aaron Ness, Eric Boulton and for some reason Brock Nelson will be scratched. I’m usually pretty good at reading into these decisions but I really can’t grasp how Nelson sits over the likes of at best Colin Mcdonald.

Newsday reporter Arthur Staple had this quote from Islanders’ head coach Jack Capuano on the decision to sit Brock Nelson. “Brock has played extremely well and the other guys have seen that. You have to make tough decisions.” Ok, let me see if I understand this. Nelson is playing well so let’s sit him. Wouldn’t the "tough" decision be the one where you have to tell a veteran, look this kid gives us the best chance to win? This move is one that I can’t grasp and frankly smells of a coaching staff that is desperate to make anything click.

I feel like the strong stable ship that was sailing on calm seas at the end of last year is now rudderless running aground in Port Jeff. Obviously the bottom line is the result. If the team comes out flying tonight and they win, then you take the two points. However it just feels like there is a lack of identity with this team right now. What is the point of having all these prospects if you are not going to let them grow? I would have no problem with the staff telling us that a few of the kids are going to play, and make some mistakes but they are key to the future of this club and we need to see what we have in the organization. I don’t think anyone would have an issue with that. Instead there seems to be this confusion and denial that this team is fine and they’ll figure it out. No reasonable person can expect this team to make the playoffs without a complete overhaul of the team defense of this club.

Sorry, I know this is supposed to be a game preview but this move just really left me wanting to talk about it. I also don’t think this will hurt Nelson’s development. He is a grounded kid with a good head on his shoulders and I actually think it has nothing to do with him personally. I think this has to do with the direction this team wants to go and I don’t know if everyone is on the same page.

In other news Kevin Poulin will get the start in net. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.

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