- JT does it again.
The last five goals that the Islanders have scored have been a result of #91’s composite stick.
0-2-0 in those games, however.
Tavares has been a goal scorer that has been in the right place in the right time. That is a trait of many a top goal maker. And he is less than 40 games into his career.
The rest of the team, for the first two periods of this game looked like they need to get home. Thank God that this trip is over.
All that we wanted for this team, is to just be competitive and stay in the hunt. The team has done just that. There are 8 teams seperated by just six points in the standings. A good winning streak will move a team by leaps and bounds.
With two LIRR stops to Penn Station as road trips until a New Years Eve matinee in Ottawa, the Isles will enjoy this stretch in the schedule.
Kyle Okposo has 4 assists in the last two games, and picked a good game to impress the Team USA hierarchy for the Olympic Games. I really think he has a shot to make this team. He may have been snake-bit by not getting the puck into the net (Toskala made that clear last night), but he has been around the net, making plays, and creating havoc for the opposition.
However, there is one aspect that I am not approving of with Okposo; and it is not his fault. It is his presence on the POINT on the power play. He is a power forward, a big presence, and one that can make moves and get in on the goaltender. He is being wasted being out 60 feet from the goaltender, taking whacks at the puck. He is not being used to his potential. I really think that Coach Gordon has to move him down and get him on the goalie. Just my 2 cents on this.
Now – the team has a chance to get their Christmas shopping done, sleep in their own beds, and have teams coming out to them. They need to create the Fort Neverlose atmosphere for this three week stretch. It is amazing that over half of the road games are completed for the Isles after the 32 game mark. I will be on the last big trip of the season in March when the Isles visit Vancouver, Anaheim and Los Angeles.
This home stand is an opportunity to get their game face in a new perspective. Time to get the swagger on and let other teams know that the Isles mean business. Last year is long gone – this is a new Isles team, that will not take gump from other teams. Now – time to prove that; and it has to be all 2o players, not just JT.
Posted under Islanders 09-10
This post was written by Gary Harding on December 10, 2009
