Yesterday, the NY Islanders showed why they can no longer NOT be taken seriously...The team once considered down and out at the loss of John Tavares is officially a force once again by taking down the best team in NHL with a torrid start scoring three goals in the first 5 minutes versus Tampa.

It is impressive enough to beat Tampa, something almost no one has been able to do this season, but add to that that this was playing its second game of a back to back, having lost to the NY Rangers 2-1 on Saturday.

The victory made the Isles 6-0-0 in the second game of back to back games this season...and continued the Islanders uncanny ability to rebound after defeats...which is the one true sign a team is not just a "pretender" any more...We have seen many Cinderella stories in sports as teams get out to hot starts, but inevitably a long losing streak will bring almost every over-achieving team back to earth...

There is plenty of credit to go around, but this team continues to show traits of a Barry Trotz run team very similar to the old Nashville Predators who were always predicted out of the playoffs and yet continually found there way into the dance...

And of course the team's goaltending continues to absolutely impress as both Lehner and Greiss continue to find ways to keep the team in games in spectacular fashion..

The Isles are now 8-2 in their last ten are embarking on 5 games in the next 9 days...Next up, tomorrow, the Blues come to Barclay and the Devils visit Nassau on Thursday...

Join the Discussion: » 25 Comments » Post New Comment

» Islanders May Move For Brassard....

» Isles/Caps Showdown For First. For Trotz.

» Are the Isles The Biggest NHL Surprise at Midway Point?

» Should the Islanders Go for Panarin or Duchene?

» In Honor of the Isles Finally going home...Share Memories of Nassau...