We can thank our friends at Jet Blue for free Wi-Fi, which is allowing me to pass the time on a bumpy flight to South Florida. What is not turbulent for once is the New York Islanders hockey. The Islanders completed a successful week defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning last Tuesday and sweep a home and home week series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Through 20 games, the Isles are an impressive 14-6 and they look to add another to the win column, tonight, as they host the Flyers at the Coliseum.

We can look at areas where this team needs to improve but this team is simply finding a way to win games. The defense continues to improve, the goaltending is there when a big save is needed, and there is depth up and down this lineup, offensively. But look past the goal scoring, the forwards are more responsible defensively, the forecheck is tenacious, and this team is playing great with a lead. The emergence of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome as legit NHL talent and the stability of veteran forwards such as Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin have given this team so much fire power that John Tavares can go ten games without scoring a goal and this team doesn’t miss a beat.

Every team blows leads in this league and the Isles surely will, but now their responses to adversity have been great. The third period against the Penguins on Saturday was a thing of beauty. After Anders Lee gave New York a 2-1 lead, the team survived a push from the Penguins but this year’s team did not sit back. It continued to attack and added to the lead.

Competition is also an amazing thing. With Michael Grabner close to returning, isn’t it crazy that the fourth line is finally clicking. Maybe I’m just a conspiracy theorist but with a roster spot up for “grabs”, pun intended, all four lines have been playing inspiring hockey.

Long Island has a buzz right now. The team feels it, the players feel it, and the league is starting to pay attention. The atmosphere at the Coliseum on Saturday was electric. The game had a playoff feel and it is good to see the old barn rocking one last time.

Looking ahead to tonight’s game against Philadelphia, this will be another strong test as we all know the Flyers have owned the Isles in recent years. We all keep talking about how difficult the schedule is but this team continues to rise to the challenge night in and night out.

While in Florida I will do my best to keep an eye on all things Islanders. I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you, the crazy motley crew that is hockeybuzz and I'm sincerely grateful for all of you who take the time to read my articles and join in on the conversation in the threads. I hope you all have a great week of turkey and hockey. As always, for more on all things hockey, please follow me on twitter @DanDanNoodles78.

Join the Discussion: » 414 Comments » Post New Comment

» Thank You Hockeybuzz

» Isles roster set

» Thoughts through Two

» Isles Buzz Podcast - Non John Tavares training camp storylines

» Bettman: Coli is not an option