|
Click-Click-First Place Islanders! |
|
|
|
|
|
First place Islanders. How does that sound? Amazing, right?
No longer a pipe dream but a reality, the matinee game put the Isles at the top of the Eastern Conference (one point ahead of Tampa), top of the Metropolitan Division (a whopping FIVE points ahead of Pittsburgh) as well as giving them top spots in a few other NHL categories. That game also gave a different meaning to the “D3L.”
While we are used to seeing the Isles completely blow that three goal lead, yesterday they maintained it. Every time the Flyers came back within two goals, the Isles would score again to put the lead back at three. You have to admit, you never saw that coming.
Granted, the Flyers have injury issues and they put an over 30-year-old ‘rookie’ in net, but truthfully he shouldn’t feel bad about his game. No, Rob Zepp should not feel bad about giving up four goals on 20 shots to the Islanders and being pulled. M.A. Fleury was pulled from the pummeling the Isles gave him as well. So no need for him to hang his head.
Zepp was replaced by Ray Emery. How many others silently said “Is he still playing?” when that was announced? A cold Emery fared no better in net and gave up two goals on 20 shots.
Click-click-click… Can you hear it? That is the Islanders finally clicking on all cylinders and finding ways to win. They are indeed a different team this year. Thank you Garth Snow.
Kulemin now has more points than he has had the last two seasons, and there are still games to be played. He also leads the league in short-handed goals. Josh Bailey has found a home on the top line with good friends Tavares and Okposo. Just look at the amount of points they have combined for in the last few games.
As usual, Matt Martin leads the league in hits, but how often do you hear “best fourth line in the NHL” thrown around? Not often. And they’re all talking about the CCM line: Clutterbuck-Cizikas-Martin. Newsday’s Art Staple calls the Martin-Clutterbuck tandem the #BashBrothers. How appropriate.
This team is certainly fun to watch, and they are being watched. Yesterday was another sell-out. Sure, people are flocking to the barn because this is it. The very last season there. But they are also going because the team is amazing to watch.
Too bad they’re on a break until Tuesday. Damn.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»