Preview: NYI vs Edm Red hot Islanders aim for four straight

November 2, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Break up the Islanders. After winning just once in their first 10, they’ve taken their last three against solid competition. It started with a 3-1 home win over Battle rival the Rangers.

Scott Gordon’s club built off their first regulation win by going into the nation’s cap and battling back three times before earning a big 4-3 overtime triumph over Alex Ovechkin and the Caps. Prize rookie John Tavares setup Mark Streit with a nifty backhand from behind the net. Following two consecutive good starts from Dwayne Roloson, Gordon went to Martin Biron when they returned home for the Sabres, who’d only lost once in regulation this season. The gamble paid off with Biron repelling all 38 while teammates lit up Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime for five in an impressive 5-zip rout at The Coliseum. The big highlight was Jeff Tambellini’s first career hat trick (4, 5, 6). Not bad for a guy who looked like a colossal bust. Suddenly, he and other surprise Matt Moulson are the top finishers on the club.

And so now, here are these Isles winners of three in a row back at .500 (4-4-5) with 13 points looking to make it four and go over for the first time this season when they host the Oilers at the top of the hour. Does Gordon stay with Biron off the shutout? Probably. He gave Roloson two straight during this streak. So, may as well reward Biron.

What else has gone right for the Isles? Well, Tavares certainly is a keeper. After going dry in four straight with a minus six rating, the top pick brings a three-game point streak (1-2-3, +4) into tonight’s action. The 19 year-old super skilled pivot is tied with Moulson and Kyle Okposo for the team lead with 10 points (4-6-10). While there’s a great deal of pressure on JT91, he’s now getting help from Tambellini, Streit, Jack Hillen, Frans Nielsen, Richard Park, Sean Bergenheim, Josh Bailey and a healthy Doug Weight, whose leadership can’t be underestimated. Since returning from the swine flu, he’s setup two goals and the team’s a perfect 3-0. Hell. Even Andy Sutton’s contributing.

The Islanders look more confident in Gordon’s second year behind the bench, attacking with vigor. Wait till they get Trent Hunter back.  Indeed, things are looking up for these guys, who weren’t given much of a chance entering the season. October might’ve started off on the wrong foot but certainly ended much better.

Now, we’ll see if they can build on it against a good Edmonton club that boasts Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky along with a balanced attack that got blanked in Beantown over the weekend. So, it should be a good test on a night the Yankees try to wrap up a 27th World Series against the Phillies.

Game: Edm vs NYI

Where: The Coliseum, MSG-+

Time: 7 PM

Broadcasters: Howie Rose, Billy Jaffe