The Isles made the right move yesterday. And not a lot of people out there are getting it.

THIS is a good team. They are a great team when they can get the lead, they are an average team when they are playing from behind. They may have the best goalie in the game in Sorokin, and Varlamov gives them proboably one of the best tandems in the game. Prior to last year, they were among the best in the east, and then last year in the first half, between Covid and playing so many road games it came apart. HOWEVER, from February 1 until the end of the season they had the BEST record in the East.

Lamoriello knows this and knows what Bo Horvat could do here. Vancouver should be very happy for the return they got for a rental who was not going to stay in BC.. They got a lot. FOR SURE. But remember, between Rutherford and Lamoriello you have two of the shrewdest horse traiders around. Neither was taken advantage of like some are saying...

So what does this move mean for the East?

This is a shot across the bow in the HIGHLY competitive and hotly contested race for the final two wildcard spots.

Four Points separate the five teams looking to get a chance to face the deadly Bruins and Canes. Only nine points separate 8 the eight teams closes to the Wildcard.

The Penguins, Capitals, Panthers, Sabres and Islanders are ALL teams who feel they are playoff teams. They have all shown the ability to look great or not so great at various times. If this Horvat trade ignites the Isles offense even a little, they will separate from this pack.

So get ready for the dominos to fall... All 5 teams will be extremely disappointed should they not make the playoffs...

More to come

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