Tavares Era Begins versus Crosby, Pens

July 16, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Excitement would be an understatement. The Islanders can hardly wait for the 2009-10 season to start up.

How will No.1 overall pick John Tavares fare? Just how quickly will the super skilled Canadian forward adjust to NHL life? He and the rest of his teammates will get an early litmus test when they play host to Sidney Crosby and the defending champion Pens on Saturday, Oct.3. Home openers are always sellouts and that should be no exception.

How appropriate that the Next One begins his NHL career versus Sid the Kid in what’s sure to be a fun filled atmosphere at Nassau Coliseum. Not only will it be great for Islander fans but also for hockey fans as it’s easily one of the most anticipated games of the season. Even as a Ranger fan, wouldn’t it be great if Tavares outperforms Crosby leading to an Islander victory? If the Rangers can spoil the Pens’ coronation a night prior, all the more reason to root for it.

The Tavares Era gets going and will be one worth watching even for this rival fan. He holds so much promise and hopefully can convince Hempstead to build a new arena for the club. Keep your fingers crossed.

Let’s take a look at what the rest of the schedule looks like for Tavares and the Islanders:

-In sharp contrast to their most hated rival, the Isles have just that one big game before getting four days off to prepare for a two-game road trip at Northeastern foes Ottawa and Boston. They return home for the traditional Columbus Day game hosting the Kings at 2. In October, the Islanders play 13 games with it fairly split (7 home/6 road). That includes a visit from last season’s President’s Trophy winner San Jose on Oct.17 as part of a two-game homestand with Carolina also visiting. In one of those scheduling oddities that Hasan referenced, they visit the Canadiens twice in five days with the Alex Ovechkin’s Caps sandwiched between on the Island. One of the best rivalries gets renewed on Oct.28 when the Islanders host the Rangers. After a D.C. visit, they conclude the month with a special Halloween game versus Brian’s Sabres. Trick or treat!

-November includes 14 games with many on the road. It should prove to be very challenging for a young rebuilding club with 10 of the 14 away including a brutal seven-game road swing between Nov.11-23 with stops at Washington, Carolina, Florida, Boston, Minny, St. Louis and Toronto. Counting two road games at Buffalo and New Jersey, that’s nine of 10 with the only home game versus Atlanta on Saturday, 11/7. Following the big trip, they return for a Turkey Eve game against the rival Flyers and host Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Pens the day after Thanksgiving with a special start time of 2. The Isles conclude a tough three in four stretch with a 1 PM game in Newark the next day, ending their toughest month of the season.

-December makes up for it with the Islanders home for eight of 15. Amazingly, they continue on the road to start as part of a five-game trip with stops at Atlanta, Tampa, Philly and Toronto. But after Dec.9, they don’t leave the New York area again until the end of the month with a New Year’s Eve visit to Ottawa. The stretch between 12/12-29 should be the most exciting of the season featuring three action packaged rivalry games against the Rangers including the only two road games on 12/16 and the day after Christmas. The clubs also play consecutive nights in a traditional home-and-home with the Isles hosting 12/17. If that weren’t enough, they also host the Flyers 12/27 on a Sunday at 5 a day after a Garden visit. They finish up by hosting Columbus before ending the year in Ottawa.

-Fourteen games will be played in January with the Thrashers visiting Jan.2 before Kyle Okposo and teammates embark on a three-game midwestern swing highlighted by a visit to the Avalanche on Jan.6 where Tavares and Matt Duchene should battle it out. That’s a Wednesday with faceoff after 9. After stops in Big D and The Desert, the Islanders return to The Coliseum for two separate three-game homestands including the Red Wings, Sabres and Devils all visiting between 1/12-18 with the latter on Martin Luther King Day at 2. Following a visit to Pitt, they comeback to face the Panthers, Devs and Caps. They finish the month on a four-game trip with the first three in Carolina, Philadelphia and Florida as part of a Florida swing that ends in Tampa four days later.

-A light February due to the Olympic Break sees the Islanders play a half dozen between 2/4-14 including the final two match-ups between the top two picks Tavares and Victor Hedman. It begins in St. Pete and then they host the Bolts on Feb.13 at 2 PM. Valentine’s Day features a home tilt against Alex Kovalev and the Sens with a 5 PM start.

-The Islanders play 14 games in March including the final pair of the season against the hated Rangers with both later on on 3/24 at MSG and to finish the month on 3/30 off The Meadowbrook. There are other interesting contests including a Mar.2 visit from super tandem Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Five of the first seven games are at home including visits from the Bruins, Blues, Devils and beefed up Maple Leafs on 3/14. Figure there to be some fireworks. They follow up a three-game homestand with a hard Western trip in Vancouver, Anahaim and LA. Then come the final four with two against the Rangers with a home game versus Calgary and a stop at Columbus sandwiched between.

-The final Ranger-Islander game is part of a four-game homestand with the Flyers, Sens and Habs all visiting Long Island in April. The Isles have four of six at home and six of eight counting the Ranger game. In another weird glich, they play the Pens two of the last three on the road and at home with a visit to Newark between on Saturday, 4/10. Much like the start of the season, Crosby and Tavares meet again to end it in the same setting Sunday, Apr.11 at 5. Think the league intentionally did that? They couldn’t have scripted it any better.

All in all, the Islander sched is one of the oddest I’ve ever seen. There are crazy stretches where they’re away a ton and then ditto for staying local like in December and most of January. Hell. Following the break, they finish the season with 11 of the last 20 at home. Outside of the Western swing and a game in Ohio, they don’t really do much travel. So, it’s not too bad. Regardless, they should be more compelling to watch. Here’s hoping Scott Gordon tries Tavares with Okposo and Josh Bailey.

Breakdown By Day

Sunday-5

Monday-8

Tuesday-11

Wednesday-11

Thursday-13

Friday-8

Saturday-26

The 26 isn’t a misprint. Saturday really is an Islander Day. Hopefully, it will treat Isles fans well.