It is just like the feeling when you are excited for the holidays, your spirits are up, and then you get that 2 pound fruitcake you get from Aunt Selma that could double for a paking lot cement stopper.

Well - for our sake, I hope that the Islanders did not get this lovely piece of fruitcake for their pre-game meal.

The Isles head to Tobacco Road, to take on Carolina tonight before they head home to face the Blue Jackets!  A two game piece that will define how the Isles will feel at Christmas.  Will this be a great present, to be even close to the top of the division, or will we succumb to the same fate after the last Ranger game.

Randy Robitaille was playing with Kozlov and Satan and probably will be the faceoff man - since he is among the top 20 in faceoff percentage in the league.

The team needs to get the same energy level and passion that they had in the Ranger game tonight.  My hope for the player of the game is Trent Hunter.  He needs a breakout game and tonight would be a chance to showcase.

I wonder if Dunny will be net tonight, or tomorrow against Columbus.  Ricky has done well, but it will be good to get Mike some work.  I expect to see him on Wednesday against Ottawa as well.

This will be a short entry, as I will be leaving the office early today, and try to get some last minute shopping (first Christmas as husband and wife, I can not disappoint).

Talk tomorrow to preview the Jackets.

Gary

Posted under Islanders 06-07