As Willie aptly put it.

12 of 14 on the road.  The character test begins.  Thankfully, the 7 straight are not all in one shot.  There will be some time at home inbetween games 4 and 5.

Obviously it will give the team a chance to ‘bond’ a little more.  It will hopefully create some more chemistry between line mates and others.

The boys will have to be used to not having the last change.  Mismatches will happen – this will need the boys to pick their spots and try to make the best out of bad situations.  They will also need to be more disciplined on the road, and not take the bad penalty.

Who do they have on the trip:

1.  Washington – Maybe Alex the great will be back, probably not.  But this team can be just as dangerous without him.  Mike Green is also a little hobbling too.  This may be an opportunity to sneak out of Dodge with 2 points.  The D needs to be real tight.

2.  Carolina – 12 in a row without a W and Cam Ward out a month with a bad skate slash to his leg.  This is nowhere like the team that was in the Cup Semi-finals six months ago.  Paul Maurice has to be on a real tight rope.  Can not take this lightly, because these are the types of matches where a team just doesn’t play all out, and loses the easy 2 points.

3.  Florida – another team struggling to find its identity.  Struggling at the net, and losing Booth, one of their main weapons.  This is another game that would be right for the taking.  It will be up to the Isles to remain focused, poised and ready for battle.  Also – this will be a nice birthday present for me – a win on this night.

4.  Boston – They lost there in a tough game in October – now they need to bring their game up a little more.  Boston is still hobbling with injuries (Lucic, Savard, among others), and again a possible opportunity to ‘steal’ a point or two. 

This is the path of the team on the first step of this road trip.  There is a good chance that they can steal some points, and possibly gain some more respect in the process.  No one, and I mean NO EXPERT, had thought this team would be 6-6-5 in 17 games (maybe Stan Fischler), but they are in a good position, and a good two weeks on the road, before they spend about a month at home (two road games at the Garden), will give a chance to prove that this team BELONGS.

Have a great day!  BTW – Jackman at Booster Club Meeting tonight.

Posted under Booster Club, Islanders 09-10, Ramblings