There is always talk on Long Island on feasibility of the franchise. Lighthouse projects have waxed and waned like the fog over Block Island Sound. Many, myself included, have questioned Garth Snow when it comes to building a complete team. I have ben utterly impressed with Snow's ability to draft and completely unimpressed by his methods for building around the many young potential stars the play on the Island. To me he needed to build in some more experience. The fit kind of experience.

All that said, the one constant about the Islanders is this is a team with a loyal fan base, and this may not be Hockeytown USA, but really only due to the fact this is not a town, but rather an Island. The fans have shown me time and time again, this is one hell of a hockey island.

While teams like Toronto, Montreal, Columbus, and Minnesota have been racing to the bottom, the Islanders have quietly and methodically become really, and I mean REALLY tough to play against. And I not just talking about the Islanders remarkable recent sweep of the hottest team in hockey, the Penguins.. I am talking about all of March. A month where they also toppled Boston, lost in OT to the Rangers, and by one goal to Philadelpiha in a game I watched closely and converted me over to these here Isles.

They on the verge, and I get a sense they know it. Somehow, as surprising as the upsets to the Penguins were, you get the sense next year it won't surprise us at all. And THAT is awesome news for a fan base starving to get back to prominence....These Isles may just have it in them yet...


New projected standings

1. Rangers 54-21-7 115
2. Bruins 48-29-5 103
3. Panthers 41-24-17 99
4. Penguins 50-25-7 107
5. Flyers 48-24-10 106
6. Devils 47-28-7 101
7. Senators 41-29-12 94
8. Capitals 41-32-9 91
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9. Sabres 40-32-10 90
10. Jets 39-35-8 86
11. Lightning 37-36-8 82
12. Hurricanes 33-34-15 81
13. Islanders 34-36-12 80
14. Maple Leafs 34-38-10 78
15. Canadiens 29-36-17 75

1. Blues 52-20-10 114
2. Canucks 50-21-11 111
3. Kings 43-27-12 98
4. Predators 48-25-9 108
5. Red Wings 50-26-6 107
6. Blackhawks 45-26-11 101
7. Coyotes 41-28-13 95
8. Stars 44-32-6 94
-------------------------------
9. Sharks 39-29-14 92
10. Avalanche 41-34-7 89
11. Flames 37-30-15 89
12. Ducks 35-35-12 82
13. Wild 32-40-10 74
14. Oilers 31-40-11 73
15. Jackets 24-51-7 55

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