Will.Pesek

"New York Isles"

United States •

Isles prepare for Rangers

In their last four games, the Isles have been 3-0-1, earning points in each of their last four games. That's something they have done for the first time this year. It is baby steps as they dug themselves a pretty big hole, that almost made it impossible to dig out off. But, they are slowly digging their way out of it. The Isles are currently 9-10-5, one game below .500 with a total of 23 points. The last wild card team has 29. And if your not to familair with hockey, you earn 2 points for each win and 1 point for each OT/SO loss. So with that being said, a 3 game win streak has the Isles in a WC spot. 2 of those three wins have come off of teams that were supposed to win, the Penguins and the Capitals. With all the optimism in the locker room now, they face a Rangers team who sits at first place in the Metro divison. It will be another tighlty contested matchup and well anticipated, because these teams have not faced eachother since the opening day in the NHL, all the way back on October 13. The Rangers slugged the Isles 5-3.

It is time for revenge and time to earn 9 out of a possible 10 points. Now lets back track a little. If I were to tell you on November 10, the Isles would beat Pittsburgh and Washington and have an oppertunity to get 9 out of 10 points. You would laugh and call me out. It's truly astonishing how well this team has played in it's last 10 games, they may not have won them, but they played well enough to win.

Jaroslav Halak will most likely get the start in goal Tuesday, as Capuano stated after an optional skate this morning that Halak will "likely" go. Halak's numbers versus the Rangers are a joy to look at, but statistics mean nothing now. It all matters on the game. There is also the flu going around in the Isles lineup, so keep an eye out for Anthony Beauvillier to get back in the lineup if one cannot go.

Anders Lee has been on a tear as of late, scoring 5 goals since November 23rd, and they need him to heat the stove, if this Powerplay and team wants to be succesfull. It's a very good time for him and guys like Chimera, Nelson, Ladd and especially John Tavares. Becuase by Christmas, we would know if we are buyers or seller come the deadline this year.

As our optimisim gorws, it takes an oppertunity to plummit or gain on Tuesday versus the Rangers