If only the Islanders could finish what they start. The Eastern Conference would look a lot different. They wouldn’t be hanging on by a thread to stay in contention for a playoff spot; they’d be firmly entrenched in the top eight.

But you know all this already.

What you don’t know, or have yet to come to grips with, is a painful truth, but a truth nonetheless.

The Islanders are lame ducks in their own building and they have one hand tied behind their backs every time they step out on the Nassau Coliseum ice.

Now, this column isn’t about blaming fans for not showing up or getting on the ones who do who are always expecting the worst and letting the boos fly the second things go awry. It’s about accepting reality. You have every right to stay home, but if you do your expectations shouldn’t be all that high regardless of what the experts say about the up-and-coming core of this team or what the Isles do positively over short periods of time.

Psychologically, the Islanders play at home like they, too, are expecting the roof to cave in. They are now an incredible 5-11-2 at the Coliseum, by far the worst home record in the NHL. But yet they are 8-4-1 on the road. They are one of only two teams in the entire league playing above .500 on the road yet not currently in a playoff spot.

And regardless of all the complaining that I read, this is no longer about a lack of talent because the Isles have enough to be a playoff team, and the old adage suggests if you can play .500 on the road and take care of business at home you’ll be just fine. While I agree the Islanders still have a lot of work to do to make the roster battled tested for the long haul, this team should be higher up in the conference standings than it is.

There is only one explanation for the Isles’ often horrifying play at home compared to their often inspired play on the road. They feel at ease on the road. They don’t lose their focus on the road. They don’t skate around on egg shells on the road, waiting for the other boot to drop. And if that’s because they don’t feel the love at the Coliseum, well, I’m sure they don’t feel a lot of love on the road either, yet somehow find a way to persevere. The nightly lineup and coaching strategies are largely the same every game, but the players’ execution and focus at the Coliseum compared to on the road is like night and day.

Here is an incredible statistic, but one that speaks volumes about everything. The Islanders, who despite all their issues are just three points out of eighth place in the East, have had the lead or been tied in the third period in 25 of their 31 games this season. Yet, they have lost 12 of those games. Just imagine if they had won five or six more. I wouldn’t be writing this column and you wouldn’t be staring at yet another non-playoff spring.

This current four-game homestand has been a nightmare, or a microcosm of their play at the Coliseum all season. New York has so far been outscored 9-0 in the third period in losses to Ottawa, Montreal and Pittsburgh, has been outscored 35-17 in the third and overtime at home this season and has allowed an NHL-high 47 goals in the final period overall.

I have said repeatedly that the Islanders would use this truncated season to learn how to win and I still believe that they are, but why do they continually fail to play the final 20 minutes in their own rink, yet have outscored their opponents 13-12 in the third period on the road this season?

At the Coliseum, fans who do show up, considering all they have been subjected to since owner Charles Wang took full control of the team 13 years ago, have very little patience and the Islanders, for their part, are not resilient. They get punched in the mouth and then don’t have the mental wherewithal or fortitude to pick themselves up and fight on.

And this isn’t necessarily about all the teams currently ahead of them in the conference being all that much better, because the Isles have beaten nearly every one of them. Only against Boston, really, has New York looked inferior.

I had it out with folks on Twitter in the aftermath of the Isles’ dreadful 5-2 loss to visiting Montreal on Thursday. Their continuous defense or reasoning for the Isles’ terrible play at home was based on talent and coaching. I just don’t buy all of that, mostly because of the Isles’ stellar road record, illustrated by the proven fact that they don’t fall apart late in games. Or if they have, they’ve still more often than not found a way to win. Case in point, last Saturday night in Florida when they blew a three-goal lead in the third but yet took the lead back late and held on for the victory.

If the Islanders blow a three-goal lead in the third period at home, you know what the eventual outcome will be.

No lead is safe. Even with a three-goal advantage if the opponent scores early in the period, you start to sense disaster afoot. The fans, as if on cue, start rolling their eyes. The fans watching at home and on social media sense the inevitable. They have all been socialized into believing if the Isles are not up a ton in the third in their building they will eventually spit the bit.

And the Islanders have done nothing to disprove that theory.

Now, are there ghosts or evil spirits at work here? No, of course not. Is the Islanders’ lack of support at the Coliseum so poor that the team feels uninspired? Well, they do have the lowest average home attendance in the NHL at just over 12,700 per game, but it’s not like the place is empty. The fans still bring the noise when they feel they have a reason.

But what is annoying yet understandable considering the Islanders’ lack of recent playoff seasons and the fact that they’ll soon be heading to Brooklyn is the legions of opposing fans that take over the Coliseum. The Rangers basically have a home game. It used to be a 50-50 split, which was somewhat acceptable considering many factors, but now is clearly Madison Square Garden East. But what I find more disheartening is when teams like the Canadiens, Capitals, Bruins, Flyers and many others invade and commandeer the lower bowl. Again, I’m not blaming fans for not showing up, but you can’t sit here and tell me that doesn’t have any kind of psychological effect on the Isles, especially when they face adversity later in games.

The bottom line is the Islanders need to get out of that building pronto. If they can find a way to do it before the lease expires in 2015 they absolutely must. Now I realize that there are no guarantees that attendance will be all that much better when they initially get to Barclays Center, but I think the Isles realize that with the move will come an opportunity, if the team is competitive, to eventually develop a new fan base.

No one is under any illusions here. I don’t expect the majority of remaining Islanders fans in Nassau and Suffolk counties to make consistent treks to Brooklyn, but I do expect this team to put a full-court press on to acquire new fans, because if there’s one thing the people of Brooklyn do it’s rally behind what is theirs. Just look at the NBA. In just their first season in Brooklyn, the Nets are averaging more than 17,000 fans per game. During their final season in Newark the Nets were last in the league, with 13,905 per game.

The Nets then pumped money into the roster and now you are looking at a playoff team that could do some damage, with all the fan support that goes with it.

The Islanders can follow that blueprint and have the same success, because they already have a superstar in John Tavares, plus several very good players, a bigger core fan base than the Nets ever had and a history to fall back on, regardless if that history is now quite historical.

But the longer the Isles remain a team incapable of spending money as a prisoner to what many would consider one of if not the worst arena leases in professional sports history, they’ll continue to feel like visitors in their own building, simply because they are not mentally tough enough to overcome adversity in a place that is not the least bit forgiving.

If Wang cares one iota about the next few years — and only he knows the answer to that  – he’ll do whatever he can to get the Isles out of the parking lot by the beach and on the road to a place that probably will be a little more understanding if, for example, an opponent scores a goal in the third period.

The sooner the Isles leave the old barn in the rearview, the better off they will be.

Read more columns by Jeff Capellini and follow him on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet

Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below …

“I think he should be all right,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said Friday night after Pittsburgh beat the New York Islanders 4-2 to extend their winning streak to 11 games.

Malkin has missed seven of those victories because of an undisclosed injury, but the Penguins haven’t missed a beat.

Tomas Vokoun was sharp in making 33 saves, and Brandon Sutter snapped a tie early in the third period for the Penguins, who overcame a pair of one-goal deficits and a poor first period to win again.

Vokoun was the difference-maker early as he allowed only one goal in the first when the Penguins were outshot 14-3 and spent most of the frame in their end.

Despite being down 1-0, the Penguins knew they were fortunate to be that close.

“It could’ve been three, four,” said Crosby, who had two assists. “Vokie kind of weathered that storm, and we were able to get back into it.

“That’s what allowed us to come in here and regroup, knowing that it could’ve been a lot worse.”

Brandon Sutter netted the winning goal when took a pass from Matt Cooke in front off a 2-on-1 rush and scored past goalie Evgeni Nabokov 1:46 into the third period. Joe Vitale and Chris Kunitz had second-period goals for Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh, which hasn’t lost since Feb. 28 at Carolina.

Pascal Dupuis added an empty-net goal with less than a second remaining, with an assist from Vokoun, to make it 4-2.

“They are a desperate team. They came out hard at us. We kind of bent but didn’t break,” Vokoun said of the Islanders. “We talked after the first period that we’ve got to match their energy and their effort — and we did.”

Mark Streit put the Islanders ahead in the first, and Josh Bailey answered Vitale’s goal to make it 2-1 in the second, but New York lost its third straight in a four-game homestand.

The Islanders have led or been tied in the third period of 25 of their 31 games, but have won only 13 (13-9-3).

“The third period has been our Achilles’ heel,” forward John Tavares said. “We can’t seem to hold onto a lead or break through in the third.

“We can’t afford not getting points. We have to push ourselves better. Our confidence isn’t bad, but we are making mistakes at the wrong times.”

The Islanders, who fell to an NHL-worst 5-11-2 at home, are 11th in the Eastern Conference — three points and three places behind the postseason cutoff.

“It’s crunch time every game,” save Nabokov, who made 21 saves. “We’re still not far from the pack.”

New York has been outscored 9-0 in the third period during this homestand, including allowing three final-period goals in a 5-2 loss to Montreal on Thursday.

“I knew we had to make a big push at the start of the third period,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. “I certainly was aware of their third-period situation.

“I don’t know if they were ready for us or they were desperate because of their situation, but they played really well and really hard and took it to us. I am really proud of the way we battled and won this game.”

New York had its first of two late power plays when Pascal Dupuis went off for slashing with under 8 minutes left, but failed to capitalize.

The Islanders nearly tied it less than a minute after falling behind, but defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky’s long drive caromed off Vokoun’s glove and then struck the crossbar.

Vokoun has earned five wins in the streak while splitting time in goal with Marc-Andre Fleury.

New York dominated the first period, holding the high-flying Penguins without a shot until nearly 13 minutes had elapsed, but it only had a 1-0 lead to show for it.

Vokoun was challenged early and often. He stopped a shot by Michael Grabner in front less than 2 minutes in, and was tested a few minutes later by defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

The rebound was shoved behind Vokoun, but it slid through the crease.

New York finally got a puck past Vokoun at 7:46 of the first after Frans Nielsen had a clean faceoff win in the left circle. Nielsen pushed the puck back to Matt Carkner at the left point, and Carkner moved it quickly to Streit, who ripped a one-timer from the middle of the blue line.

Streit celebrated his fifth goal with an understated fist pump as the Islanders had a 10-0 lead in shots.

The margin was 12-0 when Tavares was stopped by Vokoun on a wraparound try, before the Penguins got their first shot of the game with 7:08 remaining by James Neal.

Pittsburgh came out quickly to start the second and put more pressure on Nabokov. They didn’t cash in on a power play that carried over from the first period, but tied the game 1-1 when Vitale took a pass from Craig Adams, skated to the center of the left circle and snapped a shot into the upper right corner at 8:11.

Another Islanders flurry led to Bailey’s fourth of the season, scored with 2:42 left in the period. But New York couldn’t carry the lead into the third because Kunitz scored his 19th goal to tie it with 13.8 seconds left.

NOTES: Penguins C Tyler Kennedy missed the game because of an illness and was replaced in the lineup by forward Trevor Smith, who was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Pittsburgh was also missing D Kris Letang, who sat out his second straight game. … Carkner’s assist was his first point in 11 games this season.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Brian Gionta scored the go-ahead goal 48 seconds into the third period, P.K. Subban scored his second goal of the night midway through the period and rookie Brendan Gallagher finished it off to help the Canadiens improve to 20-5-5, second only to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference. Montreal is 14-1-4 since the 6-0 drubbing by Toronto six weeks ago.

“We came into the third period with a lot of energy, got a quick one and kept it going,” said Subban, who scored the tying goal midway through the second period and Montreal’s fourth goal midway through the third. “It was a tough game but we’re good at grinding for the full 60 minutes.”

The same can’t be said for the Islanders, who have lost for the 11th time in 24 games in which they have been tied or ahead in third period. New York is 13-14-3, still only three points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. They continued to struggle at home, where they are 5-10-2.

“It’s about battle levels, winning the intangibles,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “Games are won in the trenches. When you play with enough desperation, you don’t win in this league. It’s the little things that cost us again.”

Gionta’s 10th goal of the season came after center David Desharnais caught a wobbling puck by the blue line off a clearing attempt, set it down and passed it to Gionta in front.

Subban had tied the game 2-2 with his eighth of the season on a power-play at 10:53 of the second when he blasted a shot from the point past Poulin. Subban added his second goal at 10:10 of the third, and Gallagher had Montreal’s final goal 33 seconds later, giving the rookie his ninth of the season.

Michael Ryder also scored for Montreal, whose lone regulation defeat since Feb. 9 came against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on March 5.

Carey Price made 25 saves for Montreal.

“This was a good win for us,” said Max Pacioretty, who had two assists for the Canadiens and leads the team in scoring with 9 goals and 16 assists. “We have to play a pressure style to win and we did that tonight when it counted.”

Montreal has earned points in 10 of its last 11 games and sits atop the Northeast Division.

John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky scored for the Islanders, who lost their second straight after going 5-1-2 in the previous eight games to get close to the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Montreal native Kevin Poulin made his second start of the season in goal for the Islanders to give starter Evgeni Nabokov a rest. The 22-year-old Poulin was called up from AHL Bridgeport on Feb. 23 when backup Rick DiPietro was waived and sent down.

Ryder opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 9:36 of the first, tipping a slap shot of the point past Poulin, whose only other start came in a 4-2 loss to Carolina on Feb. 24. It was the ninth goal of the year for Ryder, who was reacquired from Dallas earlier this season.

Tavares made it 1-1 at 12:06 with his 18th goal of the season on a slick move, faking a pass to linemate Brad Boyes and beating Price with a snapshot from the left circle. Tavares is tied with Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz and Jeff Carter of Los Angeles, three goals behind league leader Steven Stamkos.

“We got away from our game after playing a good first 40 minutes,” Tavares said. “We have to understand that we can’t come off the gas pedal in the third period.”

Visnovsky put New York ahead at 6:58 of the second when he tapped in a rebound with assists by Tavares and Matt Moulson.

Moulson assisted on both Islanders goals, and leads the Islanders with 21 assists

“All we can do is forget about this and come back tomorrow,” Moulson said.

New York hosts Pittsburgh on Friday and Florida on Sunday before starting a four-game road trip. The Islanders are 8-4-1 on the road.

The Canadiens return home to play Buffalo on Saturday at the Bell Centre.

NOTES: Montreal played without Brandon Prust (shoulder) and scratched defenseman Tomas Kaberle. … The Islanders scratched defensemen Radek Martinek and Joe Finley and forward Eric Boulton. … Defenseman Matt Carkner made his return for the Islanders after missing 20 games with a groin injury. … Islanders right wing Michael Grabner also returned, having missed three games with a shoulder injury.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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“We call him Benjamin Button,” Bishop said, referring to the 2008 movie character who gets younger as he ages. “Sergei keeps finding ways to help us win, that’s for sure.”

Gonchar’s go-ahead goal with 1 minute left was part of a four-goal, third-period outburst by the Senators, who rallied from a two-goal deficit and earned a 5-3 victory over the Islanders on Tuesday night.

The veteran defenseman, who will turn 39 next month, also had two assists.

“I’m just glad we got the two points and kept pace in the conference,” Gonchar said.

Gonchar’s second goal of the season came on a blast from the point to make it 4-3, and Guillaume Latendresse added an empty-net goal to seal the win. Jakob Silfverberg and Zack Smith scored in a 68-second span early in the third period to tie the game after the Islanders led 3-1.

Ottawa (16-8-6) has won three straight.

“We told ourselves after the second period that we weren’t out of it, that we needed a quick goal,” said Bishop, who made 26 saves. “We got two quick ones, and then Sergei found a way to score the big one. We have great leadership in this room and he’s a huge part of it.”

New York’s Josh Bailey had scored the go-ahead goal 14 seconds into the second period, and Lubomir Visnovsky extended the Islanders’ lead to two goals..

It was the second straight game in which the Islanders squandered a third-period lead. They led Florida 3-0 on Saturday before the Panthers tied it. But Casey Cizikas scored the winner for New York with seven minutes left.

“It’s disturbing,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “We put ourselves in this situation.”

Keith Aucoin appeared to give the Islanders a 4-3 lead at 7:22, but the goal was disallowed because he kicked the puck past Bishop.

Bishop also stopped Aucoin, who scored New York’s first goal, on a sharp-angle shot from the left corner late in the third.

Ottawa’s Matt Kassian opened the scoring at 6:23 with his first goal of the season and first with the Senators when he redirected Gonchar’s slap shot past Nabokov.

Aucoin tied it with a wrist shot past Bishop at 17:53 of the first, netting his fifth of the season.

Bailey’s third goal, on a backhand that skittered past Bishop, put the Islanders up 2-1. It was the 50th career goal for Bailey, a first-round draft pick by the Islanders in 2008. Visnovsky put the Islanders ahead 3-1 with a power-play goal at 11:46 of the second.

The Islanders (13-13-3) began a four-game homestand after road wins over Tampa Bay and Florida. New York is only 5-9-2 at home. They are three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

It was the third and final regular season meeting between the clubs. Ottawa won 3-1 at home on Feb. 19, and the Islanders earned a 3-2 shootout win at home on March 3.

“We made some adjustments and got momentum on our side,” Senators coach Paul MacLean said. “The character in our room was evident in the third period. You have to play 60 minutes in this league.”

The Senators also lost defenseman Marc Methot to an apparent right leg injury after a hard, clean check from the Islanders’ Brad Boyes in the second period.

The Islanders have been tied or ahead in the third period in 23 of 29 games this season and are 13-7-3 in those contests.

NOTES: Ottawa forward Milan Michalek had knee surgery and is out indefinitely. The Senators were also without G Craig Anderson (ankle), defensemen Erik Karlsson (Achilles) and Mike Lundin (concussion), and forwards Jason Spezza (back) and Dave Dziurzynski (concussion). The Islanders were missing Matt Carkner (lower body) and forwards Michael Grabner (shoulder) and David Ullstrom (groin). … Daniel Alfredsson played his 1,160th game for the Senators. He is the longest serving captain in the NHL (appointed in October 1999). His assist on the goal by Latendresse was the 1,100th point of his career.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

@ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 4sq.com/XWKoNR (posted via FlickSquare)

The JT #frontflow had a night to remember Sunday on NBC’s Mike’d Up with Bruce Beck.

It took two stylist and all of Johnny’s focus to keep the wily bangs matted down to a respectable 4-inch peak. 

Most head-on camera angles kept the hairdo in check, but the occasional side profile revealed a more compelling story of JT’s front locks, rebelling against jars of pomade and rising toward their full party-in-the-front potential.

Cizikas took a pass from Colin McDonald from behind the net and got it past goalie Scott Clemmensen from the left of the crease at 12:55.

Kyle Okposo, Radek Martinek and Brad Boyes also scored, and Evgeni Nabokov stopped 27 shots for the Islanders (13-12-3), who are 5-1-1 in March. New York also jumped ahead of the rival New York Rangers into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

T.J. Brennan, Marcel Goc and Mike Santorelli scored in a span of 1:43 of the third to tie the game. Scott Clemmensen made 21 saves, but Florida lost its sixth straight and for the ninth time in 10 games.

This is the Panthers’ longest skid since they were 0-7-3 from March 19-April 8, 2011.

Trailing 3-0, the Panthers staged a spirited comeback and scored three goals in a flash. Brennan, playing his first game since being acquired from Buffalo on Thursday, grabbed a loose puck in front of the Islanders net and swept it in at 5:09 to make it 3-1.

Goc scored 34 seconds later when he one-timed a pass from Jack Skille, and Santorelli tied it 1:09 after Goc’s goal at 6:52.

The Islanders led 2-0 after the first period. The Panthers have given up the first goal in each of their past six games and are 1-14-4 when their opponent scores first.

New York went ahead 1-0 on Okposo’s goal. Frans Nielsen passed from behind the net out to Okposo in front. His slap shot beat Clemmensen at 15:56.

The Islanders doubled their advantage when Martinek took a shot from about 15 feet inside the blue line that got past Clemmensen at 17:59.

The Islanders stretched their lead to 3-0 on Boyes’ goal 33 seconds into the second period. His shot from below the right circle glanced off the skate of Florida’s Tomas Kopecky and went into the net.

NOTES: Panthers D Ed Jovanovski returned after missing 22 games because of a lower-body injury. — Panthers forward George Parros left the game with an upper body injury in the first and didn’t return. . Brennan was acquired from Buffalo for a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. — Islanders forward Colin McDonald returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s game due to illness.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Evgeni Nabokov made 18 saves for his second shutout this season and 54th overall in the NHL, John Tavares scored his 17th goal, and the Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night.

“I think we played a good simple road game,” New York defenseman Andrew MacDonald said. “Our special teams are good. Guys are getting in lanes to block shots, and it certainly made the difference.”

Nabokov made an in-close save on Victor Hedman in the second period, and Tavares had a power-play goal midway through the frame to help the Islanders improve to 4-1-2 over their last seven games.

“They’re going to get chances, but the key is always what kind of chances they’re going to get, and where are they going to get them, and how much time are they going to get,” Nabokov said. “I thought we did a very good job on the big guys. This was a team effort in the zone.”

Brad Boyes added an empty-net goal in the final minute of play.

Anders Lindback stopped 27 shots for Tampa Bay, which has lost eight of 10.

“It’s just a weird thing,” Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. “We’re scoring tons of goals and we’re not defending well. All of a sudden now we’re defending well and we’re not scoring goals. It’s flip-flop, flip-flop. It’s hard to take. The story of our year, we can’t get everything together on the same day.”

Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier didn’t play and is out indefinitely because of an undisclosed lower body injury. Lecavalier, who was hurt Tuesday night against Florida, was placed on the injured list before Thursday’s game.

New York was without speedy forward Michael Grabner, who was put on the injured list Wednesday because of a shoulder injury sustained Sunday in a game at Pittsburgh.

Tavares put the Islanders up 1-0 when he put an in-close backhander past Lindback during a power play at 10:22 of the second. Matt Moulson set up the goal with a backhanded pass from the low slot to Tavares, who was positioned near the post.

“He had his back to me and made a great pass and drew a couple of guys,” Tavares said. “He probably could have put it in himself, but really made it easy. I just had a tap in.”

New York, which entered with the NHL’s best road power play, had just the one advantage in the game. Tampa Bay failed to convert on its two chances.

“Especially this time of the year, the special teams are going to play a big part,” Lightning left wing Ryan Malone said. “Their team got the goal and our team didn’t.”

Islanders left wing David Ullstrom left in the third period because of a lower body injury.

NOTES: Former Tampa Bay forward John Cullen, who won the Masterton Trophy in 1999 after returning to play after being diagnosed with cancer, dropped the ceremonial first puck. … Tavares has scored eight power-play goals. … Tampa Bay C Steven Stamkos had his three-game goal streak end. … Islanders D Colin McDonald (illness) didn’t play. … The Lightning recalled forward Tyler Johnson from Syracuse of the AHL to take Lecavalier’s roster spot. Johnson made his NHL debut.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Radio interview on the left, TV on the right.

I think MSG asked for the wrong #91.

Fair to say neither player went to deep into his team’s second period game plan.

NHL owners have made it official: The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are heading east.

The league announced Thursday that its board of governors approved a realignment plan that will go into effect next season. The new format will feature two eight-team divisions in the Eastern Conference, and two seven-team divisions in the West.

That means Detroit and Columbus will switch conferences by moving into the East, while the Winnipeg Jets will move into the Western Conference.

Realignment will also create changes in determining the 16-team playoff field. The top three teams in each division will qualify for the postseason. The next two teams with the best records in each conference will then earn wild-card berths.

That will make it more difficult for teams to qualify in the East, because it will have two more clubs than the West competing for eight berths.

The NHL Players’ Association had already signed off on the realignment format, which will be in place for at least three seasons.

“The new alignment will place several clubs in more geographically appropriate groupings, and will intensify already-fierce rivalries throughout the league,” the NHL said.

The changes will also make it easier on team’s travel schedules, with Detroit and Columbus no longer having to make numerous and extended trips outside the Eastern time zone. The Jets will also gain some normalcy in travel after spending the past two seasons as members of the Southeast Division.

The Atlanta Thrashers’ relocation to Winnipeg two years ago helped precipitate the need for realignment.

Detroit will be placed in a division with Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto.

Columbus will now contend with Carolina, New Jersey, the Islanders, Rangers, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Winnipeg will join a division featuring Chicago, Colorado Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville and St. Louis.

The switch also allows both Minnesota and Colorado to move from the Northwest Division and into a more centrally based division.

All teams will play each other both home and away at least once each season. And teams will play division rivals at least four times a season.

What do you think of the realignment, hockey fans? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

MSG sent a crew to Hartford, CT to meet Chiquita the Chihuahua and the rest of the McDonald family for an upcoming feature on forward Colin McDonlad.

Look for the biography piece to air during an upcoming Islanders pregame show.

Mangano believes that a new smaller venue would be more competitive for concerts, minor league sports, and family shows.

He said it would be a practical plan for the 40-year-old arena.

Early reaction from residents is mixed.

“You’re cutting yourself out of the potential for bigger stuff,” one man told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.

“Who’s going to pay for it? That’s the bottom line,” said another. “Big venues is good. I think that brings in a lot of money.”

“It need to be rebuilt, redone over,” said still another. “Bring it on.”

Mangano said a smaller coliseum would free up space for other development and create new revenue sources.

The Coliseum’s primary tenant – the New York Islanders – are scheduled to leave for Brooklyn in 2015.

What do you think of the idea? Sound off below.

Brad Boyes scored the lone goal for New York, which had a five-game point streak snapped. Evgeni Nabokov stopped just 12 of 17 shots in two periods before getting pulled for the final 20 minutes.

The Islanders had lost 13 straight games in Pittsburgh before breaking through at the end of last season and backing it up with a win in Pittsburgh six weeks ago.

For the Penguins, Crosby’s big night boosted his point total to an NHL-leading 45 and helped the Penguins win their fifth straight. James Neal had a goal and three assists, and Pascal Dupuis scored twice for Pittsburgh. Tomas Vokoun made 23 saves.

And the Penguins’ Chris Kunitz posted his second hat trick of the season.

The Penguins played without reigning NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin, who sat out due to an upper body injury.

Kunitz more than picked up the slack. The veteran forward scored a pair of power-play goals in the first period and then added his third midway through the second as the Penguins began a home-heavy portion of their schedule with a blowout.

While the Islanders have been a modest surprise — they entered the game just two points out of a playoff spot — they were no match for the NHL’s highest-scoring team. The Penguins are rolling behind a resurgent Crosby and two linemates playing perhaps the finest hockey of their careers.

A gifted two-way player with a knack for doing dirty work in tight places, Kunitz is flourishing in his ninth season. His fourth career hat trick gave him 17 goals this season, and his 36 points are third in the NHL. Kunitz’s career-high point total in a season is 61, set last year. He is on pace to post career bests in goals and points in a lockout-shortened, 48-game sprint.

Having Crosby at the peak of his powers certainly helps. Nearly a year after his last comeback from concussion-like symptoms, Crosby has regained his MVP form. He extended his point streak to nine games _ the longest stretch in the NHL this season _ and the Penguins had little issue to kick off a three-week stretch that could help them strengthen their position atop the Atlantic Division.

Pittsburgh spent most of the first half of the season on the road but Sunday night started a 12-game run in which they will play only twice away from home.

The Penguins didn’t waste much time getting settled in. Dupuis put them up 1-0 just over 7 minutes in when his shot from the goal line clanked off the post, smacked the back of Nabokov’s pad and went into the net.

Kunitz pushed the lead to 3-0 by the end of the period after a pair of power-play goals within a span of 3 minutes. He poked in a feed from Neal for his first goal and then did it again on his next shift. Kunitz took a backhand feed from Neal and slipped it by Nabokov to score Pittsburgh’s 33rd first-period goal, the most in the league.

Boyes briefly got the Islanders back into it when Pittsburgh defenseman Simon Despres slipped trying to clear the puck, allowing Boyes to come in alone. He snapped a shot over Vokoun’s right shoulder to make it 3-1.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma called timeout to let his weary club — playing its third game in four days — get its legs. Whatever he told them worked. Kunitz and Neal scored 16 seconds apart to make it 5-1.

Please leave your comments below…

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Do you think the Isles have a shot at making the playoffs?  Let us know…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Evgeni Nabokov was perfect for most of Thursday night and had his sights set on his 54th NHL shutout until Rick Nash scored with 5:23 left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

The Rangers were given their third power play — the only ones in the game — just seconds into the extra session, and Marian Gaborik ended his long scoring drought to give them a 2-1 win at 42 seconds of overtime.

“We didn’t quit. We kept working it,” said Gaborik, who scored for the first time in nine games.

The Rangers have won a season-high four in a row, and had plenty of supporters at Nassau Coliseum cheering them on despite being on enemy ice.

Nash again showed that the third period is his favorite time, scoring his eighth of the season — all in the third — and assisting on Gaborik’s winner.

Since he missed four games due to injury, all losses by the Rangers (0-3-1), Nash has five goals and three assists in four games. He has an eight-game point streak, and the Rangers are 11-2-1 when he has a point and 12-5-1 when he plays.

“The great part about Nash right now is his third periods are his best periods,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said. “He’s been a huge part to our club as advertised. He has been a game-breaker for us, and hopefully that will continue.

“He doesn’t speak, he just goes out and plays.”

Gaborik took a feed in the high slot from Nash and fired in a shot for his eighth of the season.

The Rangers earned the power play when Michael Del Zotto was hauled down as he crashed in on Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov 21 seconds into overtime.

When the winning goal was scored, the Islanders were irate and complained to the officials before leaving the ice. A handful of insignificant misconducts were assessed to the club.

“I felt like it was a pretty easy call,” Del Zotto said. “A penalty is a penalty, regardless of what time of the game it is, especially a Grade-A scoring chance like that. If it takes away from an opportunity it has to be called.”

Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves for the win. Nabokov stopped 35 in a tough-luck loss.

“I am pleased with the effort,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “We were 5 minutes away.”

Right after the Islanders used their timeout late in regulation, the Rangers broke through on Nabokov with their 32nd shot. Derek Stepan kept the puck in at the left point and sent a drive that Nash deflected in.

That evoked cheers and chants of “Let’s Go Rangers” that increased when Gaborik won it.

Until the Rangers’ late flurry, Michael Grabner’s first-period goal stood up for the Islanders.

“This was a big one,” Lundqvist said of the win. “I just kept telling myself, ‘I need to stop the next one.’ Great atmosphere in this building. It’s always fun to play here.”

Nabokov stood tall in the face of constant pressure in the opening minutes of the third. He denied J.T. Miller, Ryan Callahan, and Nash in tight as the Rangers pressed for the tying goal.

He couldn’t keep Nash down for good.

Both clubs entered playing their best hockey of the season, but the Rangers came in as the more banged-up squad as they again played without top center Brad Richards and key defenseman Marc Staal.

Staal sat out for the first time this season because of injuries sustained Tuesday when he was struck in the right eye by a deflected puck in a victory over Philadelphia. Staal is out indefinitely, but doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery.

The Rangers held a 13-12 shots advantage in the first period, but the Islanders grabbed the early lead.

After creating a couple of early chances with his speed, Grabner scored with 8:09 left in the first period. He was set up in the middle of the slot when Colin McDonald found him with a pass from behind the net. Grabner fired a rising shot that beat Lundqvist to the upper right corner of the net for his 10th goal.

Grabner has scored in three straight games and four of seven. He nearly netted another just more than three minutes into the second period when he got free on a rush and fired an unimpeded drive from the left circle that Lundqvist blocked aside.

The Rangers received two power plays in the second period, but did little with them. The Islanders had the best chance when Matt Martin got free for a short-handed breakaway, but his in-close drive was knocked away by Lundqvist with 3:45 left.

NOTES: Richards missed his second straight game because of neck and back soreness following a hit into the boards from behind on Sunday. — Veteran D Roman Hamrlik, formerly of the Islanders, made his Rangers debut one day after being claimed off waivers from Washington. — Islanders LW Eric Boulton played in his eighth game of the season, and second since Feb. 14 against the Rangers, in place of David Ullstrom. D Lubomir Visnovsky missed his second consecutive game because of personal reasons. — Grabner became the Islanders’ third double-figure goal scorer, joining John Tavares (14) and Matt Moulson (11). The Rangers don’t have any. — The Islanders dropped to 0-10-1 when they score fewer than three goals. They are 1-7-2 when Tavares fails to record a point. He has been held off the sheet in four of five games.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Disaster was averted when Patrick Kaleta checked Brad Richards headfirst into the boards last Sunday.

Richards was on the ice at a very awkward angle with his neck bent in a direction that looked gruesome. Richards was able to get up and he should be back in the lineup shortly.

Disaster was not averted in Switzerland, however, when player Ronny Keller was left paralyzed by a hit to the boards on March 5 by an opponent named Stefan Schnyder.

The only difference between the two hits was that Schnyder raced a longer distance to hit Keller and he appeared to deliver more force than Kaleta brought in his check of Richards.

But the NHL should not be feeling very good about itself just because Richards got up after the hit by the Buffalo goon. It was simply a matter of physics and luck that Richards was not left paralyzed, just like Keller.

The Kaleta suspension needs to be revisited. This may be the United States, where the concept of double jeopardy applies in the courtroom, but it does not necessarily apply in the NHL.

Kaleta could have paralyzed or killed Richards with his hit. He has been guilty of horrible behavior on the ice before and this marks his third suspension by the NHL.

A five-game suspension for Kaleta is a joke.

Raffi Torres of the Phoenix Coyotes was suspended 25 games (later reduced to 21 games) by the NHL for his brutal hit on Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks in last spring’s playoffs.

If the NHL wants to take mayhem out of its games, it must severely punish all guilty parties. If you hit-check a player into the boards from behind, you must be hit with a severe punishment.

25 games is just the jumping-off point. If you want to save players’ lives or make sure they can walk away from the game when they decide to retire, it’s time to suspend them for a year for such hits or perhaps even ban them for life.

I had never heard of Schnyder or Keller before seeing the brutal check, and I would not be surprised if Schnyder is regretful about the incident. He may have had a clean record prior to the hit.

It doesn’t matter. He should never be allowed to play organized hockey again at any level.

Police are investigating the incident, and that’s just what should happen.

The NHL has reacted quickly to protect players from blindside hits and head shots. However, there are still dunderheads like Kaleta who still don’t get the message.

Kaleta was disturbed about his hit on Richards. He was upset that he put his team in the position of having to defend a five-minute power play.

“I’m just sorry for the position I put the team in, trying to kill that penalty,” Kaleta told the Buffalo News. “I feel for that, for putting the penalty killers out there and them getting the two goals. It makes me feel like a bag of garbage after seeing that.”

Kaleta is right. He is a bag of garbage. Not for leaving his team shorthanded, but for nearly causing a tragedy on the ice.

It is distasteful, but watch the video in the link above a couple of times. Watch how Keller gets catapulted into the boards by the ferocity and viciousness of the hit.

It only takes one hit like that to ruin a person’s life and damage the sport in a brutal manner.

This is no time to step back from serious justice being meted out to offending players.

Lives are at stake and so is the reputation of the National Hockey League.

Is hockey too brutal these days? If so, what needs to be done to fix the game? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below…

At the beginning of this season, I predicted the Islanders would finish on the outside looking in at the playoffs, somewhere between 10th to 12th place in the Eastern Conference, mostly because the franchise, despite arena certainty in the coming years, was to remain in cost-cutting mode, forsaking true free agency.

Owner Charles Wang wasn’t and isn’t about to lose more money when the move won’t officially happen until the summer of 2015.

So with glaring flaws, a push to make young players earn their spots, and with an incomplete defense, the Isles went forward, warts and all.

I think the fans need to understand the following element more succinctly: General manager Garth Snow operates based on a budget, not on the whims of supporters who refuse to accept that fact. Would he have wanted to keep P.A. Parenteau over signing Brad Boyes? Would he have liked to tinker some more with the offense and get some more serious talent on defense?

We’ll never truly know because the reality of the world Snow has been forced to operate in is a very real reality due to the fact that the Islanders still lose tons of money. Wang is still against the idea of losing more. As I have said, this could change as soon as this coming summer, but as far as this season goes, it’s par for the course of the last several seasons.

Parenteau’s case was a bit more dramatic than simply giving him a fair raise. He wanted to be paid more than Matt Moulson, the same player who has 25 points in 23 games this season and would be well on pace to shatter his previous career high for production over a full 82-game season.

One can understand Snow’s need to keep the team’s pay structure intact and try to avoid throwing things out of reality-based balance. However, it still makes one wonder how much better the Isles would be had he had more free reign to spend.

But before you assume the Islanders would be a lot better, just know that Snow in fact did replace Parenteau. Boyes has done a very good job, with 18 points (Parenteau has 19 with Colorado). This team’s problem now offensively is the same as it was last season with Parenteau, developing consistent scoring beyond the top line.

Even when playing well this season there have been legitimate concerns about 5-on-5 production. The Isles’ special teams magic has not buoyed the team enough. Despite a power play that is among the best in the NHL and a penalty killing unit that is often fairly stout, scoring and defending at even strength has remained a serious issue.

So let’s look at the whole picture in terms of progress. The offense, actually, has been better overall than it was last season, but the fact remains: When John Tavares, a player that would be on pace for 90-plus points over a full season, is shut down, so, too, is Moulson. And when these events go hand in hand, the Isles struggle and invariably lose because they lack consistency from the other three lines.

As scouts from other teams have discovered, the key to defeating the Islanders is shutting down their best player. What makes Tavares so dangerous is not just his scoring, but also his underrated passing. He makes great passes, even under heaping loads of pressure. He also is difficult to knock off the puck. His speed with the puck actually increases, and he makes good decisions on the ice at all times, regardless of the physical pressure thrown his way.

So, what about everyone else you ask? Well, you cannot speed up youth. So sources have told me talents like Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Strome will be left to grow and develop correctly in the minors and juniors. You also can’t manufacture trades, especially when trying to deal from positions of weakness. This is why silly deals pushed by fans involving Josh Bailey or Kyle Okposo are so pointless.

Instead, rewarding or punishing a player with playing time is the key tool to light fires and hold people accountable. For all the complaining about Okposo, when he has been threatened we have seen signs of life and consistent play.

Maybe that dreaded word “patience” is indeed the order of the day and the season, because when the Islanders show a lot you get results like the last two games of this current seven-game home stand, and you ultimately see the Isles playing like many think they are capable.

Realistically, this team is right where it is supposed to be, considering the talent, experience and coaching.

Through 24 games, or officially half the shortened season, the Islanders needed to be at around 27 points to be on a realistic playoff pace. At 23 games and with only 22 points, as is the case now, they have some catching up to do, but remain relevant due to other teams, specifically the Rangers and Flyers, going through lulls.

And just because the Islanders are just a few points out of the eighth spot, looks can be deceiving because teams battling for the same coveted eight spots have games in hand. The Rangers have two in hand, as does Winnipeg, which is just behind the Isles.

The homestand presented itself as an opportunity to gain some traction, but that has not happened. However, beating Ottawa on Sunday and then East-leading Montreal on Tuesday were steps in the right direction.The Islanders still have to play the Rangers on Thursday and the Capitals on Saturday at the Nassau Coliseum before they head out on the road again. If they can win those two, well, things will look decidedly different yet again.

But it’s important to note that what you see from the Islanders is possibly what you are going to continue to get. Are they capable of putting a winning streak together? Maybe, but their calling card has been consistent inconsistency. They are fourth in the East in goals scored, but next to last in the NHL in goals allowed. Though their special teams have remained solid, their defense still disappears from time to time and their goaltending is on again, off again.

Tradable assets

The deadline is now less than a month away, April 3. In speaking to both NHL and Islanders sources, this might be a very active trade period due to several big money teams struggling. Remember, the salary cap ceiling will drop next season. That means big money players might have to be dealt for less value due to cap needs and breathing room.

As far as the Islanders tradable assets go, as I have said on Twitter numerous times, if they are to deal a forward it will likely be Michael Grabner, who, despite his dangerous speed and wonderful transition game, really as an all-around forward is no better than a third liner. Inconsistent production and a failure to play a full three periods remain his biggest shortcomings.

Another movable option could be Frans Nielsen.

Despite online fan outrage over the very notion of trading Grabner or Nielsen, if both are always banished to the third line, with players like Sundstrom, Persson, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, Strome, Niederreiter, and perhaps Kabanov seemingly ready to make the jump to the NHL, where do these vets fit in down the line? It is something that needs to be asked, and it is certainly being asked by the Isles’ brain trust, which would love to package some of these coveted forwards with some picks or prospects to gain a key talent.

On defense, do not expect Lubomir Visnovsky, who is still not happy to be on Long Island, dealt for anything less than a first-round pick. His play has been very good, and anything less than a first rounder will not be accepted because the Islanders are still in reaching distance of a playoff spot. He’s been as advertised on the ice and could be a great commodity for those teams needing some defensive scoring/assists come the deadline.

But only at the value Snow could set.

As we have seen at subsequent trade deadlines, either teams meet Snow’s price or no deal gets done. That is not a bad thing, considering some GMs, due to the financial issues I illustrated earlier, might get antsy.

We might see Anders Lee signed and playing on Long Island if the Islanders can entice him with playing time opportunity this very season. Here is a guy with top 2 line potential.

Meanwhile, waiver wunderkinds like Keith Aucoin have fallen to Earth. Aucoin has shown to be more of a fourth line quality. Defensemen Thomas Hickey and Joe Finley have been a mixed bag compared to the consistency and ability of currently injured Brian Strait. However, they have been getting better. Meanwhile, Radek Martinek is starting to heat up and show he can be counted on in a pinch, which was why the Isles signed him in the first place.

The real question going forward is which of the cap-heavy teams blink first before the ceiling drops next season? Could a team like the Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, or even the Flyers start to panic?

If things shake out like I figure, cap relief will become a desire and talent will start changing hands as the wheeling and dealing ramps up. One looks at the Tim Thomas bookkeeping deal and has to wonder if the Islanders anticipate a possible major deal with the assurance of remaining above the cap. Or, was that trade made in case they fall into the non-playoff abyss? It all remains to be seen, but the Islanders are actually in a good position with Thomas. They could move him for a second-round pick or keep him should Evgeni Nabokov move on and they don’t view Kevin Poulin as NHL ready.

What about Rick DiPietro you may be asking? Well, he’s getting shelled in the AHL with a .798 save percentage and a 6.00 goals-against average, so it’s fair to say we may never see him again. Of course, if he gets his save percentage closer to .900 and proves he can stay healthy there’s always the possibility of him returning, but the odds are definitely against him.

For those eternal pessimist and optimists, I leave you with this:

When Thursday’s game against the Rangers is over, the Islanders will be at the half-way point of their season. The pace they are currently on will likely not be good enough to get into the playoffs. Some things will have to change, but with trades and the like probably not being the order of the day to help make the change happen. If they can just find some kind of positive consistency, they could very well be in the hunt until the end.

But the Islanders right now are who they are. They are improved over last season, albeit slightly, but unless they find something to bring it all together and reach the maximum potential of what this group can be, this season is likely going to end like the five previous — with this team watching the playoffs after having taken yet another baby step.

Read more columns by B.D. Gallof and follow him on Twitter at @BDGallof

Do you think the Islanders can sneak into the playoffs or is the rest of this season just more time to evaluate the future? Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below …

This guy lost the Byng?

A disappointing third-place finish in last year’s Lady Byng voting hasn’t put a damper on Matt Moulson’s most gentlemanly play in the league.

When Casey Cizikas deposited Montreal forward Alex Galchenyuk into the Islanders bench, Moulson offered the rookie a helping hand with a boost over the boards.

I would have considered it gentlemanly to not spear Galchenyuk in the ribs, but here’s Moulson, once again taking chivalry to another level.

Here’s the video, for anyone who hasn’t already watched it 50 times.

Martinek, injured most of last season, scored the tiebreaker eight minutes into the third period as the New York Islanders handed Montreal its first regulation loss in nearly a month with a 6-3 victory Tuesday night.

The quiet Martinek, who hadn’t scored since Oct. 12, 2011, when he was with Columbus, was all smiles as he gave credit to teammates.

“It feels very good to win two straight at home after the struggles we’ve had,” he said, referring to the Islanders winning only twice in their first 11 home games. “Now we have something to build on.”

Martinek’s shot from the left point on a pass from Kyle Okposo eluded goaltender Carey Price at 7:56. It was the first goal of the season for Martinek. John Tavares scored his team-leading 14th goal with 1:07 left before Colin McDonald closed the scoring with an empty-netter.

Brian Gionta’s power-play goal at 6:07 of the third — the 20,000th goal for the Canadiens since the NHL was formed in 1917 — had tied the game at 3.

“This was a tough one for us,” Gionta said. “They are a dangerous offensive team and they have the power when they play their game. We simply didn’t play the way we wanted to play.”

Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban made it 3-2 with a blast from the point with 3:11 to go in the second, his fifth of the season, after Matt Martin and Michael Grabner scored 48 seconds apart midway through the second to put the Islanders ahead 3-1.

The Islanders won for only the fourth time in 13 games at Nassau Coliseum. They defeated Ottawa in shootout last Sunday after losing to Carolina, Boston and Toronto to begin the homestand.

“I’m always telling the guys that it’s all about consistency from shift to shift,” said winning goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 29 shots. “If we play the way we can for 60 minutes, we won’t be easy for any team to beat,”

The 37-year-old goaltender, who improved to 10-7-2, has started all but four games this season.

Montreal hadn’t lost in regulation since a 6-0 defeat at home against Toronto on Feb. 9. The Canadiens surged to the top of the Eastern Conference with an 8-0-3 record since that lopsided defeat.

“This wasn’t our night,” Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. “The Islanders have good young players. They played a strong game.”

The Canadiens still lead the conference with a 14-5-4 mark. They next play at Carolina on Thursday before heading to play at Tampa Bay and Florida over the weekend.

Martin scored at 12:10 of the second, knocking in a pass from Brad Boyes for his second of the season with Montreal’s Lars Eller serving a tripping penalty. Grabner added his ninth of the season at 12:58 after a shot by defenseman Thomas Hickey deflected to him in front of Price.

Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec opened the scoring at 5:21 of the first with his 10th of the season. Plekanec took a pass from Alex Galchenyuk in the left corner after Michael Ryder outmuscled Martinek in the right corner.

Matt Moulson tied it at 1:23 of the second off a pass from defenseman Mark Streit for his 11th of the season.

The Islanders have won three straight and six of their last eight games against Montreal, including 4-3 in overtime at Montreal on Feb. 21. The teams meet once more this season at Nassau Coliseum on March 21.

It was the fifth contest of a seven-game homestand for the Islanders, who host the Rangers on Thursday before completing the homestand Saturday against Washington.

“Having the Rangers here will be intense,” Martinek said. “All we can do is continue playing the way we have these past two here at home. It’s really a simple game. You have to play hard every night.”

NOTES: The Islanders played without D Lubomir Visnovsky, who had to attend to a family matter . LW Moulson’s games-played streak stands at 269 games. He has yet to miss a game in his Islanders career . Mike Cammalleri scored the 20,000th goal in Canadiens history on Dec. 28, 2009. The franchise also played eight seasons starting in 1909-10 in the NHL’s predecessor, the National Hockey Association.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Overheard: Great - now he’s going to try and do everything with one hand…

Katie Beers will join “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh at a game Thursday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Islanders have announced that $2 from every ticket sold for the game against the rival Rangers will go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“My abduction was a life shattering experience,” Beers said in a statement released by the team. “Ever since the abduction, I have done everything in my power to move past those awful memories, but know that I may never. With the efforts of the NCMEC and the New York Islanders, they are ensuring that stories like mine will become less frequent. I am honored to participate in this event and to have become a motivational speaker, helping bring awareness nationwide to a cause that will save lives and help protect children from the terrible situation I was once in.”

Team owner Charles Wang will match whatever amount is raised from the ticket sales and other fundraisers at the game.

Beers, who now lives in Pennsylvania, has co-written a best-seller about her 1993 ordeal.

She and Walsh will drop a ceremonial puck before the game.

Katie Beers (credit: CBS 2)

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Tavares and Frans Nielsen each scored in the shootout, lifting New York to a 3-2 victory over the slumping Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves as the Islanders earned their third win in 12 home games this season. He also stopped Jakob Silfverberg and Daniel Alfredsson in the shootout.

“We battled hard and we were fortunate to win the skills competition in the shootout,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said.

The Senators (12-7-4) have lost three in a row. They also have dropped eight of nine on the road to fall to 3-6-2 away from home.

Nielsen scored to open the shootout against backup Robin Lehner. Tavares’ goal came after Nabokov made his two stops.

The Islanders (9-11-2) improved to 3-8-1 at home after losing the first three in a seven-game homestand.

“I wasn’t 100 percent but I gave it my best,” said Tavares, who was described as “under the weather” by Capuano before the game. “I’m glad we got the win.”

Tavares added that he had trouble sleeping the night before the afternoon game.

“John did what elite players do,” Capuano said. “He found a way for us.”

Michael Grabner’s unassisted goal late in the third period put the Islanders up 2-1. Grabner intercepted a clearing attempted by the Senators and rifled the puck past Lehner for this eighth goal of the season at 16:31.

But Kyle Okposo was sent off for tripping with just under two minutes left, and the Senators capitalized on the power-play opportunity. Defenseman Patrick Wiercioch’s first career goal caromed off the stick blade of Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic and eluded Nabokov with 1:09 to go.

Both teams had excellent chances in overtime. The best save was a glove stop by Lehner on Hamonic from the right circle. Nabokov made a terrific save on Colin Greening in the opening shift of the extra five-minute session.

“It’s disappointing but we did play well in the second and third periods,” Senators coach Paul MacLean said. “Lehner did a good job for us and our penalty killing was very good.”

Brad Boyes scored a first-period goal for the Islanders, and Mika Zibanejad responded midway through the second.

Defenseman Mark Streit helped set up Boyes’ goal at 7:48 when he rushed the puck up the ice and passed to left wing Matt Moulson, who sent it back to Boyes skating through the slot. He sent a wrister over the glove and left shoulder of Lehner for his fifth of the season.

The Senators played the third-stringer Lehner for the second time this season. Starting goaltender Craig Anderson is out with a sprained right ankle and backup Ben Bishop played Saturday in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia.

Zibanejad tied it at 8:36 of the second. Nabokov gingerly shot the puck around the right boards and it was intercepted by Chris Neil, who shot it back toward the net. Hamonic then tried to clear the puck away but instead put it on the stick of Zibanejad, who shot it past Nabokov for this fourth of the season.

The 19-year-old Zibanejad was Ottawa’s first choice and the sixth overall in the 2011 draft.

The Islanders had lost four straight and six of their past nine against the Senators, including a 3-1 loss in Ottawa on Feb. 19 when goaltender Rick DiPietro made his final start before being waived and sent to AHL Bridgeport.

Capuano emphasized that despite the problems at home, he remained confident that his team’s work ethic would generate positive results.

“We have nine wins but we can do better,” Capuano said. “This game is over and now we’re focus on Montreal for Tuesday. We have to try to be better every day.”

NOTES: Ottawa was without D Mike Lundin, who suffered a concussion Saturday on a hit by Philadelphia’s Harry Zolnierczyk … Alfredsson played his 1,153rd game for the Senators. He is the longest serving captain in the league (appointed in October 1999) and is the only player to record 1,000 points with the franchise.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The Senators are out to avoid their first three-game slide Sunday when they face an Islanders team that is winless through three games of a seven-game homestand.

Ottawa (12-7-3) is scoring 2.1 goals per game for one of the NHL’s worst marks. The Senators finished with 34 shots in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Philadelphia, as defenseman Marc Methot had the lone tally.
“We had our chances,” forward Kaspars Daugavins said. “We just need to focus a little bit more to score.”

Daugavins has yet to score in his 15 games while Kyle Turris, who has a team-high 12 points, has not scored in his last 18.

Ottawa has won four straight over New York (8-11-2), which dropped the first two games of this homestand in regulation before Thursday’s 5-4 overtime defeat to the Maple Leafs. The Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to salvage a point, but fell to 2-8-1 at home.

“We know we’ve got to be better at home and it started in that third period,” right wing Kyle Okposo said. “It felt good to get a point but obviously we need two points now.”

Okposo ended an 18-game goal drought with his second of the season and added two assists. John Tavares and Matt Moulson, who have combined for 48 points, were held without any.

Offense, however, has not been a problem for the Islanders, whose goaltenders have allowed 3.48 goals per game – one of the league’s worst marks.

Evgeni Nabokov will likely face the Senators for the first time this season. He has a lowly save percentage of .899 and has faced 516 shots for one of the league’s highest totals.

Neither team will have the goalie it used when Ottawa won 3-1 at home over New York on Feb. 19 in the lone matchup this season. Rick DiPietro has been banished to the minors for the Isles while Craig Anderson appears likely to miss his fifth straight game with a sprained ankle.

Ottawa’s Ben Bishop made 39 saves Saturday, and has faced the Isles once in his career. Coach Paul MacLean’s other option is Robin Lehner, who was recalled from the minors Feb. 22 and is 2-0-0 with a 3.00 GAA in two starts against New York.

The Senators have scored three power-play goals in their last 43 chances, going 0 for 5 against the Flyers.

“At times, we had a tough time setting up in their end and that does kill momentum, but I saw signs of improvement,” said veteran Daniel Alfredsson, who was ejected in the third period for cross-checking Zac Rinaldo.

It’s unclear if Alfredsson may face a suspension after what was only the second major penalty of his career.

The Senators play in the afternoon for the second straight day and will return home before they resume this five-game trip Wednesday in Toronto.

“I think that’s a good thing,” Methot said. “I think that we can just put this behind us, we’re playing in roughly less than 24 hours from now again. So it’s an opportunity to get back on our feet and keep going, and it’d be nice to finish up this little trip with two points.”

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

DiPietro, placed on waivers and then sent to the minors last week, said in an interview with News 12 Long Island that he has fought depression and pondered suicide because of his history of injuries, the weight of a giant contract and the team’s constant losing.

The 31-year-old goalie later said his comments about suicide shouldn’t be taken literally because he simply intended to credit the support of his wife during his trying time with the Islanders.

He told the New York Post the remarks were meant “100 percent” in jest.

“It’s been a trying last couple years. There have been times that I’ve been depressed, and I don’t know where I’d be without the support of my wife,” he told the Post, adding he’d “never again” make light of the issue.

On Thursday afternoon, Kevin Maher of News 12 teased his interview with DiPietro on Twitter, saying the goalie “also admitted injuries, losing and fan hatred over the past 3 years made him think about killing himself at one point.”

DiPietro said on News 12 his rash of injuries the past several seasons plus taunting from fans pushed him to consider driving himself “into a tree, (or) off the Throgs Neck Bridge.” He also told the television station that being waived last week felt like the Islanders had “ripped my heart out, stabbed it, set it on fire and flushed it down the toilet.”

“We are aware of Rick’s comments today and the severity of them,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said in a statement Thursday. “We will handle them internally as we do with all player matters. This is an opportunity for Rick to play lots of games in Bridgeport.”

DiPietro has struggled over the past five seasons. The top overall pick of the 2000 NHL entry draft signed a 15-year, $67.5 million deal in September 2006. He will have eight years and $36 million remaining on the contract after this season.

The Islanders could seek a buyout for DiPietro’s contract this summer.

DiPietro has played only 50 games since the end of 2007-08, including three losses this season. He has missed significant time with hip and knee injuries. Last season, he was limited to eight games due to a concussion and a groin injury that required surgery.

DiPietro has yet to play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League since he was sent down last Saturday. He last played for the Islanders in a 3-1 loss at Ottawa on Feb. 19.

Did you catch the DiPietro interview? Let us know what you thought in the comments…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

The 22-year-old center scored his sixth, seven and eighth goals of the season before captain Dion Phaneuf tallied at 1:11 of overtime to give Toronto a 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

Phaneuf’s fourth goal of the season lifted Toronto to its third straight win and fourth in five games at New York. The Maple Leafs have six wins in their last nine games against the Islanders. James van Riemsdyk also scored for the Maple Leafs, who improved to 9-4 on the road after losing at home to Montreal on Wednesday night.

“I did the best I could and it felt great to help the team win,” said Kadri, who leads the Leafs with 21 points. “That was a huge second point for us to get.”

New York rallied on third-period goals by Andrew MacDonald and Kyle Okposo after Kadri finished his hat trick to put Toronto up 4-2 at the 14:12 mark of the second. The Islanders also got goals from Josh Bailey in the first period and Lubomir Visnovsky in the second.

The Islanders finally recorded a point at home after losing their first two contests on the current seven-game homestand. They have just five points in 11 home games in which they are a league-worst 2-8-1.

Kadri — Toronto’s first-round pick in 2009 — scored at 8:31 of the first period to tie the game at 1. He scored to tie it again midway through the second two minutes after defenseman Visnovsky gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead.

Van Riemsdyk broke the tie with his team-leading 12th goal at 10:25 of the second before Kadri made it 4-2. That made Kadri the first Toronto player to record a hat trick at Nassau Coliseum since Paul Henderson did it on Feb. 20, 1974.

“There’s no question he is a gifted player,” Phaneuf said of Kadri. “I’m happy for him and I’m happy for us because we stuck with our game plan and kept battling after the Islanders tied it. This was a big bounce-back game for us.”

Bailey, Visnovsky and MacDonald all scored their first goals of the season for the Islanders. Bailey opened the scoring on the first shot by the Islanders at 3:34 of the first period. Okposo did the work along the left boards, sidestepping a Leafs defenseman and backhanding a pass to Bailey in the slot.

Bailey beat James Reimer in a rare productive moment from a combination other than John Tavares and Matt Moulson, who have combined for a league-leading 23 goals.

Visnovsky scored his first goal as an Islander at 6:22 of the second with a slap shot from the right point that flew over Reimer’s right shoulder.

MacDonald made it 4-3 with his first of the season on a one-timer at 5:31 of the third, before Okposo scored an unassisted goal on a wrist shot at 10:08 to the tie the game at 4. It was the second goal of the season for Okposo, who added two assists.

Islanders coach Jack Capuano continued to look for reasons to be optimistic for this team, which fell to 8-11-2 on the season.

“Every day is part of a process for us,” Capuano said. “We have to play a certain style to be successful. We have to grind teams down. That is what we have to continue to work at.”

Reimer (7-3-0) was making his first start since Feb. 11 after missing eight games with a knee injury. Ben Scrivens had made the last eight starts for Toronto, which improved to 13-9-0.

“This was a big win and we have to build on this one,” said Reimer, who made 23 saves.

Kadri’s first goal came on a slick move. The speedy center skated down the left wing and held the puck as he shifted to the middle of the slot, then whipped the puck past Evgeni Nabokov.

His second came from the top of slot on a shot that appeared screen Nabokov. The hat trick was completed as Kadri fell to the left of Nabokov. The achievement generated a smattering of blue and white Leafs hats tossed onto the ice.

“Dion (Phaneuf) grabbed the hat trick puck for me so I’m really excited to have that,” said Kadri, whose previous hat trick came when he played for the junior London Knights. “I have high expectations for myself so this is a proud moment for me.”

Islanders winger Michael Grabner hit the post on a rush off the opening faceoff of overtime.

Grabner also was awarded a penalty shot at the 15:56 mark of the first when he was pulled down by Phil Kessel. Grabner missed the net on his second penalty shot try this season. He also was denied by New Jersey’s Johan Hedberg on Feb. 3.

NOTES: Kadri has 16 goals in 73 NHL games. … Toronto has a rare three-day break before the team’s next game on Monday at home against New Jersey. … The Islanders won the previous meeting between the teams, 7-4 in Toronto on Jan. 24. The Islanders and Maple Leafs conclude the season series April 18 at Air Canada Centre. … Nabokov has started all but four Islanders games this season. He finished with 23 saves.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Brad Marchand scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and the Bruins continued their dominance of the Islanders with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night — Boston’s 16th victory in its last 20 games against New York.

Adam McQuaid, David Krejci and Greg Campbell also scored for the Bruins (12-2-2), who bolstered their best start since the 1976-77 season. All four victories during the streak have come on the road, where the Bruins are 8-1-1.

“This was a great win but I think we can still play better,” said Rask, who made 36 saves for the surging Bruins. “We knew the Islanders have talented forwards so we had to be on our toes. We did a solid job as a team.”

Casey Cizikas scored for the Islanders, who are a league-worst 2-8 at home.

The Bruins came out flying, punishing the Islanders along the boards at both ends of the ice and not relenting for 60 minutes. Boston is 16-3-1 in its last 20 games against the Islanders, who remain in the basement of the Atlantic Division.

“This was a great road game,” said Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, who added two assists. “We never stopped working and we were fortunate to have a couple of bounces go our way.”

The bruising defenseman McQuaid started the scoring at 6:43 of the first with his first goal of the season, a shot from the right point that squirted through the pads of Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov.

Center Tyler Seguin skated out of traffic in the left circle to make the pass to McQuaid. The assist was the 100th point of the 21-year-old Seguin’s career. The second overall pick of the 2010 draft is on five-game points streak with a goal and four assists.

Cizikas tied the score at 15:49 of the first when he jammed a rebound past Rask. Josh Bailey raced down the right side and swooped in front of Rask, backhanding a shot toward the goalie. Cizikas tapped in the loose puck for his second goal of the season.

That was all the Islanders could muster in their second straight loss. They had won four of six games before squandering a 2-0 lead against Carolina on Sunday and losing 4-2.

The loss didn’t leave Islanders coach Jack Capuano overly discouraged. Seething following the collapse against the Hurricanes, Capuano was pleased with several aspects of his team’s play.

“We competed well against a big, skilled high-level team,” Capuano said. “There are no easy games. We really have to learn to win close games. We had 37 shots, we worked hard and maybe we deserved better. The effort was there.”

Marchand put Boston up 2-1 with his team-leading 10th goal of the season 38 seconds into the middle period when he backhanded a rebound past Nabokov. Bergeron assisted on Boston’s first two goals.

Krejci made it 3-1 with a perfect one-timer from the left circle off a backhand pass from Milan Lucic at 5:16 of the second period, and Campbell scored into an empty net at 18:55 of the third for his second of the season.(backslash)

“We’ve gotten solid goaltending or timely scoring or great defensive plays,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “All of that gives us the stability a good team needs.”

Rask made numerous terrific saves.

The Finn twice denied Michael Grabner on breakaways and made a nifty block on Frans Nielsen while the Bruins were short-handed in the first period. He twice stopped defenseman Mark Streit with spectacular glove saves and smothered a Kyle Okposo point-blank slap shot early in the third.

The 25-year-old is 6-0-1 in his last seven games, a stretch in which he has not surrendered more than two goals in regulation.

“I’m feeling very comfortable,” Rask said. “And my teammates have been great in front of me. The key for us is to keep this going when we get home.”

Boston’s league-best penalty kill stymied the Islanders three times. The Bruins have 24 consecutive penalty kills since allowing a power-play goal in Montreal on Feb. 6. They have stopped 58 of 61 chances this season.

The Islanders, who play nine of their next 12 games at home, were playing their second on a seven-game homestand.

“There’s a lot of hockey left to play,” Capuano added. “We have to compete like we played tonight every night.”

NOTES: The game was the 150th meeting between the teams, with the Bruins holding a 77-48-21-4 edge over the Islanders, who joined NHL in 1972. … Julien is third in franchise history with 240 wins, trailing Milt Schmidt (245) and Art Ross (361). .. The Bruins are 8-1-1 in their last 10 visits to Nassau Coliseum. … Islanders LW Matt Moulson’s games-played streak stands at 266. The only Islanders with longer streaks are Billy Harris (576) and Bobby Nystrom (301). … Boston beat the Islanders 4-2 in the first matchup Jan. 25 at TD Garden. The teams play again April 11 in Boston.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Sanguinetti, a former first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers, fired a snap shot from the top of the right circle over the glove hand of goalie Kevin Poulin at 10:17. The 24-year-old defenseman, who has battled injuries throughout his career, had one assist in 20 NHL games before Sunday. He spent most of last season with AHL Charlotte.

Alexander Semin completed the scoring with an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left.

John Tavares and Matt Moulson had given the Islanders a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, and New York seemed on its way to a third straight victory.

But Eric and Jordan Staal scored 45 seconds apart late in the second period to tie it at 2.

The Hurricanes (9-7-1) had only two shots on goal through most of a listless second period, before Eric Staal scored his team-leading ninth goal on a power play at 18:28.

The Hurricanes captain knocked the puck out of midair with his stick past Poulin, who was making his first start of the season after being recalled from AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

Just 45 seconds later, Jordan Staal tied it 2-2 with his fourth of the season. His snap shot from between the circles beat a screened Poulin.

The Islanders (8-10-1) continued to struggle at home, where they are an NHL-worst 2-7.

Sanguinetti’s goal was a league-leading 34th in the third period for Carolina, which was playing without injured defenseman Joni Pitkanen and Tim Gleason as well as Jeff Skinner, the Hurricanes’ second-leading scorer who is out with a concussion.

Moulson opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season off a pass from behind the net from Brad Boyes. Tavares, who assisted on the goal, has been on the ice for 70 consecutive goals by his linemate, dating to Nov. 17, 2010.

Tavares scored his league-leading 13th goal on an assist from Moulson at 12:25. The speedy center swept down the left side before whipping the puck over the left shoulder of goalie Cam Ward.

Tavares and Moulson also have combined for 23 goals, the most of any NHL teammates this season.

The 22-year-old Poulin was 15-14-3 with a 3.22 goals against average in 32 games for Bridgeport. He was recalled to replace Rick DiPietro, who was demoted after an 0-3 start.

Poulin made numerous strong saves among his 14 stops in the first period, including glove saves on Jussi Jokinen and Ryan Murphy. His last two NHL wins were against Carolina _ a 5-2 victory last Jan. 31 in Raleigh and a 4-3 home win last Feb. 18.

NOTES: The game opened a seven-game homestand for the Islanders, their sixth in team history. . The Islanders will visit Raleigh on April 23 to complete the season series. — Defenseman Radek Martinek made his season debut for the Islanders. It was his first NHL appearance since Oct. 21, 2011, when he sustained a concussion while playing for Columbus. . Moulson, who played in his 265th straight game for the Islanders, hasn’t missed a game since joining them before the 2009-10 season.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Mark Streit and Michael Grabner broke the game open with goals 65 seconds apart late in the second period. John Tavares and Colin McDonald sealed the win with third-period goals. Matt Moulson added two assists in helping the Islanders (8-9-1) win their second straight and fourth in six games.

Nabokov was particularly sharp in stopping 13 shots in the second period for his first shutout of the season and 53rd of his NHL career.

The Sabres have lost four in a row and five of six. They are 4-12-1 in their past 17.

This loss came in Ron Rolston’s second game as the Sabres’ interim coach, and first at home, following a 3-1 loss at Toronto on Thursday.

Rolston was promoted from Rochester of the AHL on Wednesday to take over for the remainder of the season after Lindy Ruff was fired.

The 12 losses match the most the Sabres have had in their first 19 games since a 4-12-3 start in the 1986-87 season.

There was hardly any mention of Rolston’s presence behind the bench or tributes to Ruff. The only notable sign was a hand-drawn poster stuck on a wall in the upper level that read: “This year’s been RUFF. But now let’s get on a ROL.”

What hasn’t changed is the Sabres getting booed in their building, a trend that began in a 2-1 loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday, that proved to be Ruff’s final game.

On Saturday, the boos began late in the second period when Streit opened the scoring with 2:09 remaining. Moulson set up the goal by driving up the right side and patiently waiting for the play to develop.

Streit got a step on Sabres forward Kevin Porter and snapped in Moulson’s pass through the middle into the open right side.

The boos got even louder when Grabner scored on a breakaway, after he intercepted defenseman Christian Ehrhoff’s lazy pass across the middle inside the Islanders blue line.

The only cheer in the final minutes of the second period came when the announcement was made that there was 1 minute left.

The Sabres had more than their share of chances, but were foiled by Nabokov, who was especially sharp in making 13 saves in the second period.

He got his pad out to stop Steve Ott’s one-timer from the slot with 7:25 left and, a few seconds later, somehow got his glove up to deny Tyler Ennis’ backhander from in close.

About two minutes later, Nabokov made a glove save to rob Drew Stafford, who was alone to the right of the net. Nabokov then somehow managed to snag a backhander that Thomas Vanek directed at the net through a screen.

Add it all up, and the 2-0 deficit marked the 18th time in 19 games this season the Sabres haven’t had a lead entering the third period.

By then, fans turned their angry attention to general manager Darcy Regier, by chanting: “Goodbye, Darcy!”

Even Sabres owner Terry Pegula’s daughter, Jessie, got into knocking the Sabres in posts on her Twitter account. During the game she posted: “Let’s just call a spade a spade. The Sabres are just really bad.”

NOTES: Sabres D Alexander Sulzer missed the final two periods because of a lower body injury. — The Islanders recalled G Kevin Poulin from AHL Bridgeport after Rick DiPietro cleared waivers and was assigned to the minor league club. — The Islanders’ power-play unit entered the game having gone 12-for-26 in seven wins and 6-for-45 in its other 10 games (0-9-1). — The Isles, who concluded a three game-road trip, will host Carolina on Sunday to start a seven-game homestand. — Sabres rookie C Mikhail Grigorenko returned after sitting out three games as a healthy scratch.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro has cleared waivers and been assigned to Bridgeport, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate.

In announcing the move on Saturday before their game at Buffalo, the Islanders also recalled goalie Kevin Poulin from Bridgeport. Poulin is expected to take over the role of backup behind starter Evgeni Nabokov. Poulin has a 6-6-1 record in 16 career games with the Islanders over the previous two seasons.

DiPietro’s demotion is the latest blow to the career of an oft-injured player, who’s failed to play up to the 15-year, $67.5 million contract he signed before the 2006-07 season.

This season, DiPietro is 0-3 with a 4.09 goals-against average in three games. There are still eight years at $4.5 million per season remaining on DiPietro’s landmark deal.

The Islanders are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division posting a 7-9-1 record before the facing the Buffalo Sabres Saturday evening.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Imagine you play sports professionally and your team’s owner decides to offer you a 15-year contract at a rate that would never put you in a position to worry about anything having to do with money again.

What would you do? Honestly? If you liked the area where the team was located, had no issue with the direction the franchise was heading and felt a sense of loyalty due to the fact that this same organization also decided to make you the first at your position to go No. 1 overall in the draft, would you seriously say no?

What Rick DiPietro did back in September 2006 was probably what any of us would have done. He secured his future. He made sure no one in his family would ever face financial issues again.

And anyone who blames him for that, regardless of how his career turned out, is just a fool.

Charles Wang, being the neophyte NHL owner that he was back then, gave his young, brash, star goaltender a decade-and-a-half-long, $67.5 million deal, and in the process set into motion a stigma his young, brash, star goaltender could never shake.

The contract defined him. The contract still defines him. The contract likely will always define him.

On Friday, the Islanders effectively put an end to DiPietro’s career, with eight years still remaining on the deal. They didn’t use the amnesty buyout, a clause in the new CBA that allows a team one-time forgiveness for what can be considered a nuisance contract, once the lockout ended, a decision that irked many. They instead allowed him to back up Evgeni Nabokov, but it became evident pretty quickly that DiPietro’s skills had eroded to the point where he had little to no value. So, on Friday, following a few more less than scintillating starts, they put him on waivers.

If he clears waivers and returns, he’ll be sent to Bridgeport to live in obscurity until the offseason, when the Islanders will almost assuredly begin the process of using amnesty, buying out 80 percent of what he’s still owed over what’s left of the deal, with no cap hit going forward.

It’s sad what’s happened to this young man. And what’s worse, for the rest of his life, no matter where he goes, people that know sports will always remember him for the Benjamins in his bank account, money that many will unfairly say he basically stole.

The silver lining here, as far as DiPietro is concerned, is those that know him and played alongside him will always remember him as a team guy. This player wanted nothing more than to live up to the contract’s lofty standards, while at the same time help lead the Islanders back to prominence.

His body wouldn’t let him. And that’s cruel irony considering just how great of an athlete DiPietro was. He definitely wasn’t the biggest, fastest or strongest to ever play the game, but he certainly had all the tools to be one of the greats. He just couldn’t overcome countless hip and knee surgeries. I’m sure if you ask him he’ll tell you no one was more frustrated by his brittle circumstances than he was.

DiPietro became the poster boy for the dysfunction that has enveloped the Islanders for the past 20 years. Forget the fact that the franchise has had ownership problems, well-documented arena issues and a lack of star power that still exists even with John Tavares tearing up the league. The combination of DiPetro’s contract and his injury problems cast a dark shadow across everything related to the franchise, almost made people forget about all the other things that have contributed to what many would describe as a God-awful mess.

And, believe it or not, the scrutiny of the contract was not entirely the media’s fault. Fans can be cruel, as we all know, and they didn’t hesitate to bash DiPietro at every turn as this great and all-powerful bust, this albatross that did nothing but sink what in truth was already a bottom-dwelling franchise.

The truth is the DiPietro contract was only brutal in length, not in dollar compensation per year. the Islanders were always on the hook for roughly $4 million per season, a somewhat modest sum considering what other franchise goaltenders make, even back when he signed the deal. The Islanders owe DiPietro $3.6 million this season and will take the cap hit for it assuming no one picks him up, but because this franchise operates at the cap floor all the time it’s not anything close to a financial burden. In a sick and perverse way, the Isles could use the cap hit, but that’s a story, or better yet, a rant, for another time.

Wang made it entirely too easy for DiPietro to say yes. Heading into when the contract was offered and signed, this goaltender had had just one very good season — 2003-04. That season he showed the promise, going 23-18-5, with a 2.36 GAA and .911 save percentage, and five shutouts. The other three seasons prior to signing the contract he went 35-44-3 with a GAA well north of 3.00 and a save percentage well south of .900, which is considered the absolute bare minimum of acceptable for NHL goalies.

Yet Wang saw something that almost everyone else didn’t. While an extension was warranted considering where DiPietro was drafted, the hype and because goalies tend to get better and more trustworthy as they get older, the idea of 15 years stunned everyone. And it coincided with an already-highly scrutinized 10-year contract Wang had given Alexei Yashin.

This owner has made his fair share of mistakes over the decade-plus he’s owned the team, but people seemed to be understanding of the problems with Nassau Coliseum leading up to the announced move and 25-year lease signed with Barclays Center in Brooklyn. And many were willing to accept the fact that Wang’s decision not to spend has been directly linked to the fact that he’s reportedly lost a quarter of a billion dollars since taking over full control of the team.

But fans and media have not let Wang forget about the DiPietro and Yashin contracts. To them, those two deals have defined this owner more than anything else he’s done or been a victim of, because he freely chose to give those deals out, operating more on a hunch than true hockey sense. As talented as Yashin was, everyone knew he was a problem when it came to money due to his episode up in Ottawa, holding out for an entire season. Yet Wang laughed in the face of popular sentiment. And though Yashin did have some good seasons he never lived up to the deal he signed with the Islanders.

And now there’s DiPietro, a player that produced absolutely zero bang for the buck.

Maybe it’s time Wang puts himself on waivers. Reports have begun to surface that he’s explored possibly selling the team. Well, ridding the franchise of a problem and unprecedented contract could very well be a true indicator of his intentions.

As much as DiPietro will be forever linked to the contract, he’s also linked to Wang. The nice man with the best of intentions has also proven from time to time to be a great enabler. And while this owner had nothing to do with the physical misfortune his goaltender endured, he sure played a big role in putting undue pressure on a player that really just wanted to belong.

Yeah, sure, DiPietro is a rich man and will always live better than 95 percent of us, but he won’t be doing it while enjoying the one thing that that should have defined him.

And that ‘s the real reason why this story is as sad as it is.

Read more columns by Jeff Capellini and follow him on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet

Please share your thoughts on Rick DiPietro’s career with the Islanders in the comments section below …

The Islanders announced the move Friday, one day after they defeated the Canadiens in Montreal. New York will next play at the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday before returning home to face Carolina on Sunday.

DiPietro will head to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL if he goes unclaimed, Newsday reported.

Selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2000 draft, DiPietro signed a record 15-year, $67.5 million deal in 2006.

“Well, 15 years seems like a long time,” DiPietro said in ’06 of his contract, which has been criticized by Islanders fans as a major bust. “It is a long time.”

It’s expected the rest of the league will pass on DiPietro — and his mammoth contract. Young goalie Kevin Poulin will be recalled from the Sound Tigers once DiPietro clears waivers, Newsday reported.

DiPietro has been plagued by injuries, appearing in only 50 games since the 2007-08 season, 26 of which came in 2010-11.

The 31-year-old DiPietro has played in three games this season while serving as the backup to Evgeni Nabokov. He is 0-3 with a 4.09 goals-against average in his appearances.

The Islanders acquired suspended goalie Tim Thomas from Boston earlier this season, but it is unclear if he will ever play for New York, as he has elected to sit out this season.

It was just a matter of time, right? Isles fans, sound off in the comments…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

MONTREAL (AP) — New York Islanders rookie Thomas Hickey couldn’t have scripted his first NHL goal any better.

The 23-year-old defenseman scored 3:12 into overtime to complete the Islanders’ 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

“Coming in today, this rink with all that history up in the rafters, I got goose bumps right away,” said Hickey, the No. 4 pick in the 2007 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings. “It’s a special place to score in overtime, and to get the win here, I couldn’t be happier.”

John Tavares started the winning play when he dished the puck to a streaking Michael Grabner, who found a pinching and open Hickey to the left of Montreal goalie Carey Price.

Hickey, picked up off waivers by the Islanders during training camp, figured out what to do next.

“I don’t know what I was doing that far into the play, to be honest with you,” Hickey said with a chuckle. “Most guys would have shot that. I don’t know how (Grabner) saw me, but I just had my stick on the ice and just swiped at it.”

That was enough to end the Canadiens’ five-game winning streak.

Matt Moulson scored twice and Frans Nielsen added a goal in the third period for the Islanders (7-9-1), who trailed 2-0 and 3-1 but came back to end a two-game slide and win for the third time in 10 games.

Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves for the victory.

Max Pacioretty had two goals, and Travis Moen added one for the Canadiens (11-4-2). Price stopped 21 shots.

After going his first 10 games without a goal, Pacioretty has four in three games.

Moen got things going 49 seconds into the game when Colby Armstrong took the puck from Islanders defenseman Andy MacDonald behind the net and fed a pass to Moen for his second of the season.

Pacioretty scored his first of the night on the power play at 11:02 of the first period. David Desharnais, stationed to the left of the crease, moved P.K. Subban’s pass along to Pacioretty at the inner hash marks of the right circle.

The Canadiens outshot the Islanders 14-3 in the opening period, marking the third straight game they have held their opponent below five shots in the first 20 minutes. Montreal also kept opponents below 10 shots in the first period of each game of its winning streak.

The Islanders got one back early in the second on a power play. Moulson deflected Mark Streit’s point shot for his eighth goal of the season 34 seconds into the period.

“We weren’t happy in here and we knew we had to be a lot better,” said Tavares, who had two assists. “It just seemed that as the game went on we started to play better and started to make more happen.

“It’s really been a struggle for us this year, starting off on the wrong foot. But it’s a good way to battle back and know that we can do that. It’s a big win in a tough environment, and they’ve been playing really well.”

New York’s play with the man advantage, which was tops on the road and fourth overall in the NHL heading into Thursday, has been a strength this season.

“Our power play has been there all year for us,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “The first one was a big one to get us on the board. We then just kept getting pucks to the net, and found a way.”

Pacioretty restored Montreal’s two-goal lead eight minutes later after a strong shift by his line. Working with Erik Cole behind the Islanders net, Desharnais found Pacioretty in the low slot at 8:30.

Moulson netted his second of the night — again on the power play — at 16:57 of the second off a feed from Tavares behind the Montreal net.

“We got completely away from our game plan,” Pacioretty said. “They saw an opportunity and they walked all over us. It’s embarrassing to be up like that and get away from our game plan so much.”

Nielsen tied it at 9:51 of the third when he took Josh Bailey’s pass into the high slot and fired it past Price.

“The first half of the game we were in complete control,” Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. “We seemed to lose our energy that makes us a tough team to play against. We weren’t able to control our penalty kill and they have one of the best power plays in the league.

“That’s what got them back into the game. We ran out of gas in the second half.”

NOTES: The Canadiens allowed more than a goal for the first time since Feb. 12 against Tampa Bay (a 4-3 shootout win). … Montreal defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Yannick Weber were healthy scratches, and rookie winger Brendan Gallagher missed his third straight game with a concussion. … The Islanders, without injured defensemen Matt Carkner and Brian Strait, scratched defenseman Radek Martinek and forwards Eric Boulton and David Ullstrom.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Benoit and Dziurzynski scored their first NHL goals and Craig Anderson made 37 saves and the Ottawa Senators defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 on Tuesday.

“I’ve played a few years to get here so to finally score a goal in the NHL is special,” Benoit said. “Since I was a young boy I’ve been thinking about this.”

Colin Greening also scored for Ottawa, which is playing without star defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Jason Spezza.

Travis Hamonic scored for the Islanders, who got 23 saves from Rick DiPietro in his third start of the season.

Benoit’s goal at 8:37 of the second period made it 2-0 for Ottawa and came a little more than two weeks after he thought he originally had his first on Feb. 3 in Montreal. But a goaltender interference penalty that day on Jakob Silfverberg negated the goal.

On Tuesday, Silfverberg made a nice pass to Benoit for a one-timer past DiPietro.

“The first one would have never went in if (Silfverberg) wasn’t standing there so I can’t blame that on him. Tonight it was a great pass and he made a good play,” said the 29-year-old Benoit, who played in his 21st NHL game after five years in the American Hockey League and three other seasons in Europe.

“It was disappointing for that first one not to count, but I knew eventually that it would come. It doesn’t matter when it comes it’s just nice to have it.”

Hamonic’s wrist shot at 2:44 of the third period cut the Ottawa lead to 2-1 and ended a scoreless streak of 103:19 for the Islanders.

Dziurzynski, in his third professional season, gave the Senators a 3-1 advantage at 17:25 of the third with his first goal in just his third NHL game.

DiPietro couldn’t handle the left winger’s initial shot and Dziurzynski poked the rebound home.

Senators rookie defenseman Eric Gryba picked up an assist for his first NHL point.

“It’s an outstanding feeling. Since I was a little kid I’ve always wanted to play in the NHL and I’m very happy that I got here and that I got to do it early when I’ve only played three games,” said the 23-year-old Dziurzynski.

“I’m just happy he got his and I got mine on the same night. We’ve been playing well defensively we’ve just had some trouble scoring goals. It’s good to get a couple on the board and hopefully get some confidence and get some offense rolling.”

Greening opened the scoring in the second period for a struggling Ottawa power play that came in on an 0-for-24 slump.

With five Islanders, including DiPietro, around him, Greening jammed in a loose puck home for his second of the season at 6:01.

Benoit then added his goal from Silfverberg just 2:36 later.

The Islanders put on the pressure, but Anderson held off New York until Harmonic scored early in the third.

Islanders coach Jack Capuano said his team played a good game, especially after a 7-0 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

“It’s a loss but (the) guys obviously worked hard. We had a lot of chances, we stayed the course and kept to the game plan but their goaltender played well,” Capuano said. “We had a good system review (Tuesday) morning. Obviously our game wasn’t very good against Philadelphia and we just wanted to go out and work hard for one another and play with a lot of passion. I thought we did that. We did a lot of good things.”

Notes: The Senators were 1 for 5 on the power play, while the Islanders went 0 for 4. … Chris Neil reached 1,900 penalty minutes for his career, all with the Senators, in Monday’s win at New Jersey … Islanders defenseman Matt Carkner missed his homecoming Tuesday as he sat out the game with a groin injury. Carkner, a native of Winchester, just outside Ottawa, spent three seasons with the Senators before signing with the Islanders in the offseason. … Matt Moulson has played in 262 consecutive games, which is the fourth-longest streak in Islanders’ history.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Iron-Man Streak Snapped.

After three years with the Islanders, my consecutive games streak came to a close Saturday due to illness.

Beyond my personal devastation, the immediate consequences are as follows:

a) We have a superstitious team (and coach), and we were awesome Saturday without me, so…

b) No one delivers towels and waters like this guy. Players were simultaneously drenched and parched during their intermission interviews.

c) Game Notes have taken a turn for the worse - I get more bitter every time I update Matt Moulson’s iron-man streak.

To start a new streak, I turned to juice-cleanse aficionado Andrew MacDonald, who totes this mason-jar full of sewage-green muck to the rink every day.

A-Mac’s Green Drank

Simply fill a professional-grade juicer with the following ingredients and flip the switch to “pulverize”

Kale
Swiss chard
Parsley
Cilantro
Mint
Ginger
Carrot
Aloe Vera
Lemon
Lime
Wheat grass
Green apple
Celery
Cucumber
Spinach
Collard greens

Chef’s Note

A-Mac: “If we make a vegetable the night before - like if we have roasted beats with dinner…”

Me: “You throw in the beats?”

A-Mac: “Nope. We save the stems and throw them in.”

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — The Islanders had a bit of a morose look on their faces as they left the ice Monday. If you had seen the previous 60 minutes of hockey you would have had a pretty good understanding of why.

There’s something to be said for intensity to start a period, but the Islanders had nothing from the second they stepped on the ice and it ultimately manifested itself in an embarrassing 7-0 defeat to the visiting Flyers, one that pretty much wiped out the goodwill this team had generated with its fans over the previous few days.

The Islanders came into the Presidents Day matinee off victories over their two biggest rivals, efforts they absolutely had to have following a five-game losing streak that featured one frustration after another. So it seemed like they had something going.

It only seemed that way.

The Philadelphia line of Claude Giroux, Matt Read and Jakub Voracek took over seconds after the opening puck was dropped and pretty much did whatever it wanted from then on.

The Islanders were listless from the start and generated very little at both ends of the ice, something that clearly irked star John Tavares after the game.

“Obviously we’re not going to win every night, but to play like that is unacceptable. We have to understand the consistency needed to play at a high level every night,” said Tavares, who came into the game riding a five-game goal-scoring streak, but finished Monday minus-3.

The Flyers, who had lost three of their first four on their current six-game road trip, struck  before many fans were even in their seats as Giroux gathered in a loose puck that had ricocheted off of the skate of Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald and beat Evgeni Nabokov glove-side high just 26 seconds into the game.

But Nabokov kept the Islanders in the game following the fast goal, making several tremendous saves.

The Islanders then had a golden opportunity handed them with 6:10 left in the first, as they were awarded a 5-on-3 power play for a full two minutes after Kimmo Timonen was hit with an interference penalty and Wayne Simmonds took an unsportsmanlike penalty. However, the NHL’s No. 2-ranked power play unit looked tentative moving the puck, nearly gave up a breakaway and got called for icing before coming away with nothing. The Islanders finished the game 0-for-5 with the man advantage, generating just one shot on goal.

“On that 5-on-3 we have to find a way to score,” defenseman Mark Streit said.

Islanders head coach Jack Capuano was equally miffed, telling reporters later, “We have to generate something there. We were too perimeter.”

Capuano said the Islanders cannot expect to score goals, either on the power play or at even strength, if they don’t start doing the dirty work in front of the net.

“I told the guys after the game that we have to get into the hard area to score goals,” he said.

The Islanders never recovered from that power play outage. Giroux, Read and Voracek went on to finish with a combined three goals and seven assists, and Danny Briere added two goals and an assist in the rout.

Read made it 2-0 just 15 seconds into the second period, poking home a loose puck following a mad scramble in front of Nabokov.

With Kyle Okposo off for cross checking at 6:22, the Islanders appeared to get the break they were looking for when Casey Cizikas skated in on a 2-on-1 with Colin McDonald, but Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov made a pad stop, keying a rush the other way which ended with defenseman Brayden Schenn beating Nabokov with a wrister in the slot, and just like that it was 3-0.

Giroux then notched his second of the game, grabbing a loose puck to Nabokov’s right and stuffing it home. At that point — 5:15 remaining in the second — the Islanders were pretty much done.

The onslaught continued early in the third as tough guy Zac Rinaldo banged home his first of the season, taking a centering pass from Harry Zolnierczyk, who swept in on the left side and drew Nabokov from the crease.

Briere later added a tap-in power-play goal and an even-strength marker to complete the scoring.

Nabokov finished with 18 saves for the Islanders, who are likely to turn Rick DiPietro on Tuesday in Ottawa, Capuano said. The Flyers’ Bryzgalov stopped 19 shots in recording his first shutout of the season.

The Islanders played with just five defensemen after Brian Strait slid awkwardly into the boards near the Flyers’ bench early in the second period. Capuano said after the game Strait had suffered an ankle injury and is likely going to be out, “a while.” The Islanders will likely dress rookie Thomas Hickey in Ottawa.

With the win, the Flyers leaped over the Islanders into fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

“The bottom line is they were the better, more physical team. We weren’t prepared and that is unacceptable. They were first on pucks, won the battles. If we want to win games we should take a page out of their book,” Islanders forward Matt Martin said.

Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below …

Tavares racked up seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in three games against the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. His shootout goal against Rangers goalie Martin Biron was the clincher on Valentine’s Day. Johnny T’s hat trick against the Devils was the fourth of his career.

The fourth-year center was the first overall selection in the 2009 NHL draft and leads the Isles (6-7-1) with 20 points so far in the lockout shortened season.  He enters Monday’s game against the Flyers on a five-game goal scoring streak and has netted 11 goals in his past 10 games.

Is John Tavares the best player in the NHL right now? Sound off in the comments section below…

Tavares scored three goals and assisted on another Saturday night to lead the Islanders to a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.

“I think any great player puts a lot of responsibility on (themselves) because they want to lead (their) team,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said of the first overall pick in the 2009 draft. “To me, an elite player is someone you watch night in and night out, and your coaches prepare for in your pre-scout. You’re looking at 91 (Tavares).

“I’m sure teams are doing the same thing as we do with (Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven) Stamkos and some of the other players in the league.”

Matt Moulson had a goal and three assists, Michael Grabner scored with 35 seconds left, and Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves for the Islanders, who beat the Rangers 4-3 in a shootout Thursday night.

“Just two games. Don’t want to blow it out of proportion,” Josh Bailey said. “Want to keep it rolling.”

Tavares, who notched his fourth career hat trick, has 20 points in 14 games. Moulson finished with four points, and Brad Boyes had two assists. Tavares is tied with Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal for the league lead with 11 goals.

“I think ever since I was a kid, my main attribute (has been to) be a goal scorer,” Tavares said. “Not that I go out there and think about leading the league in goals, but when I get my opportunities, I want to contribute. And I know offensively, that’s where I contribute the most. Just trying to, when I get my chances, put the puck in.”

The Devils’ lone goal was Marek Zidlicky’s power-play slap shot 8:47 into the third. Johan Hedberg made 28 saves for New Jersey, which has lost two of its last three.

“What, first place (in the Eastern Conference)?” New Jersey coach Pete DeBoer said sarcastically when he was asked if he was worried about the losses. “No one likes to lose, but you’re going to lose some games. There (are) no easy stretches this season and we’re going to bounce back Monday afternoon (at home against the Ottawa Senators).”

Tavares’ tap-in of Boyes’ rebound opened the scoring 16:46 into the second. Hedberg couldn’t control Boyes’ wrister and Tavares slammed the loose puck into the half-empty net.

Tavares doubled the lead to 2-0 1:23 later with his second of the game and 10th of the season. With New York on a power play, Tavares and Moulson played give-and-go, and the sequence ended with Tavares jamming a loose puck under Hedberg.

Moulson pushed the Islanders’ advantage to 3-0 57 seconds later with his seventh of the season. Tavares finished off his hat trick by zipping a power-play laser over Hedberg with 5:15 left in regulation.

It was a tightly contested goaltending showdown early. Hedberg robbed Boyes 1:06 into the game with a diving snare of an off-wing wrister. He also benefited from a bit of good fortune as Ullstrom’s backhand penalty shot attempt with 3:15 left in the first hit the crossbar.

“Heddy (played) an unbelievable game,” Devils captain Bryce Salvador said. “He comes out and does what he does. He gave us a chance to win. He made some big saves and we just kind of let down in front of him.”

Nabokov was every bit Hedberg’s counterpart’s equal. His most difficult save was a doorstep stuff attempt off the stick of Ryan Carter in the first period.

“I thought we had some breakdowns in the first period (and) he was there to close the door,” Capuano said of Nabakov. “He played extremely well. I don’t know a lot about that position, but I know he was aggressive tonight and his angles were good. He was square to the puck.”

New York went 3 for 6 on the power play, while New Jersey was 1 for 4 on the man advantage.

“Bottom line, our (penalty kill) wasn’t good enough. That’s the difference in the game,” Salvador said. “Our PK wasn’t sharp. Usually, PKs are our strength. They got a couple big power-play goals, bottom line. If our PK does the job, it’s a different game. The Islanders thrive on the special teams and our PK just wasn’t up to it tonight.

“In a game like tonight, our PK has to come out and do the job and we didn’t get it done.”

NOTES: The announced attendance was 15,488. — The teams have split the first four games of the regular-season series. They will meet once more this season, at the Prudential Center on April 1. — Tavares’ first goal ended Hedberg’s shutout streak against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum this season at 96:46. — New Jersey scratched Mark Fayne, Peter Harrold and Stefan Matteau. Eric Boulton, Thomas Hickey and Marty Reasoner were New York’s scratches.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Post sources say that talks between Wang and The Raine Group are preliminary. A spokesman for the Islanders told the newspaper that there was no truth to the story.

The Islanders, who average the second lowest attendance in the NHL, announced that they will be moving to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in 2015, a move expected to help reboot the fan base. They signed a 25-year agreement with the new facility.

Wang’s team, led by super talent John Tavares, lost over $10 million last season, the Post reported.

The Isles are 5-7-1 through 13 games of the lockout-shortened NHL season. They have not made the playoffs since the 2006-07 campaign where they were bumped out in the first round by the Buffalo Sabres.

Do they Isles need to make a change of ownership? Let us know in the comments section below…

“It’s My Thing”

What’s an ultra-competitive hockey player to do when his traditional hockey flow is constantly being out-grown and out-greased by his linemate and BFF?

After failing to keep up with Matt Moulson’s ultra-luxurious hairdo for years, John Tavares called an audible Thursday under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, as his patented Frontal Flow reached new heights.

New York newspapers caught the look in all its glory.

“I try and live every day with a ‘Party In The Front’ attitude,” Tavares told no-one, but probably thought to himself after I showed him pictures from the game.

What he actually said, which was later confirmed in a radio interview by Moulson, was that the through-the-helmet quaff is kind of his thing.

We should have all seen it coming after he came to training camp with bangs that indicated he’d spent the off-season tuning up greased-lightning with the other T-Birds.

Give JT points for originality. It’s way better than a signature “jersey tuck” or yellow laces - and you know squirts and pee-wees everywhere are a mere hours of bathroom-mirror time away from perfectly replicating the look.

Thanks to MSG Network’s Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) for the best pic of the night… clearly pulled right off his TV screen.

Tavares followed Frans Nielsen’s goal in the opening round of the tiebreaker with one of his own, and Evgeni Nabokov stopped Marian Gaborik and Rick Nash to give the Islanders the elusive win. They had dropped eight straight at Madison Square Garden, including a loss there last week.

The Rangers (7-5-1) squandered a 2-0 lead and had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Dan Girardi and Gaborik staked the Rangers to the lead in the first period against Nabokov. Carl Hagelin tied it in the second.

Martin Biron gave Rangers’ workhorse goalie Henrik Lundqvist a break by making just his second start of the season. He was touched for goals by Colin McDonald, Tavares and Brad Boyes in the second when the Islanders grabbed the lead.

Nabokov made 36 saves through overtime, and Biron had 28. Both teams had four shots in overtime. The Islanders’ Michael Grabner pushed the puck wide of the net on a breakaway with 10 seconds left

Whatever Islanders coach Jack Capuano told his club during the first intermission worked.

McDonald got the Islanders’ rally going 31 seconds into the middle frame when Casey Cizikas found him with a pass from behind the Rangers net for a quick shot that cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Rangers had a chance to stretch their lead a few minutes later when Eric Boulton and Nielsen were called for penalties 1:27 apart, giving the Rangers’ struggling power play a 5-on-3 edge for about a half-minute.

But the Islanders killed both infractions, and used that momentum to further fuel their offense.

Just seconds after Nielsen left the box, the Islanders got even on Tavares’ 13th goal.

Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman lost the puck as he tried to go deep into the offensive zone, and the Islanders turned that into a 2-on-1 rush. Tavares raced up ice and fired a shot that found the net after smacking off Biron’s glove at 6:45.

The crowd had barely absorbed the sting of the Rangers’ second blown multigoal lead in two games when the Islanders struck again.

It took only 40 seconds for Boyes to turn a pass from defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky into a quick shot from the right circle that made it 3-2.

The offense was a reversal of fortune for the Islanders, who came in with one of the worst goal differentials in the NHL while playing 5-on-5. They scored four power-play goals in a home loss to Carolina on Monday and netted none at even strength.

That had Rangers fans chanting “Hen-rik, Hen-rik” toward Lundqvist, who was sitting on the bench.

The Rangers rebounded from the blown 3-0 lead at Boston in the third period on Tuesday and pulled out that win in a shootout.

They showed resolve again, and they did it with their much maligned power play. The Rangers had connected for only four goals in 44 man-advantage situations this season before Thursday, and were aided by a favorable video review.

A dump in bounced in on Nabokov, and Hagelin kicked the puck with his skate. Hagelin stood tall as he crowded Nabokov in the crease, and managed to nudge the puck into the corner of the net with his stick to tie it 3-3 at 11:14.

Capuano was irate on the Islanders bench and voiced his displeasure to both referees after the goal was confirmed by a video review.

The Rangers broke out with two goals in the first period. Girardi beat Nabokov at 3:36 for the defenseman’s first goal of the season.

Gaborik, on his 31st birthday, doubled the Rangers’ lead at 11:28 after an Islanders turnover.

NOTES: Rangers C Brian Boyle returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous three games. Boyle recorded only one assist and was a minus-3 in the first nine games of the season. Chris Kreider sat out. — Nabokov has started 11 of the Islanders’ first 13 games. — Hagelin has scored four goals in three games.

As I said on Twitter earlier this week — and I’ll say it here — if the Islanders’ losing ways continue to teeter them over the abyss, coach Jack Capauno will begin to feel some heat.

I took it one step further Wednesday. He might have just two games to notch a win. No coach lives comfortably with a multi-game losing streak. Seven in a row could be the last straw for Capuano here in Islanders Country. It won’t be easy against the Rangers at the Garden — again — and then at home versus the Devils.

It’s quite evident this is not the same team we saw in late January. I’ll list some stats at the bottom of this post. Too much needs to be said to focus on numbers. We all know they are miserable.

Reaction from Islanders fans was shrill even after the third straight loss. Everything since has been an avalanche of frustration. So let’s cut through some of it:

– Those who tout the negatives will use this losing streak to argue the glass-mostly-empty debate. This team was built to fail, owner Charles Wang won’t spend and nobody wants to win. I will tell you, that’s far from the case — there’s a growing frustration on product-versus-expectation.

– Those who tout the positives will say the glass is mostly full; the Isles could have won a couple of those games and just need to break out again. Yeah, well, that’s not going to fly either.  Something is unraveling the team, and it’s not just bad luck.

– Then there are those who consider each half of the glass, concerned that both arguments make up the in-flux Islanders. “Flux” won’t wash. It can’t stay this way, and a sudden switch back on to playing with energy and swagger seems to be a pipe dream.

There seems to be pressure to step up from the Islanders. It’s not just the fans’ perception. I believe this is Charles’ own perception. He wants results to show for his rebuilding crusade. The expectation gives sway to the heavy rumors of the Islanders going to Brooklyn at LEAST one year earlier than the end 2014-15 season. We can surmise as to the reasons for the pressure. Of course, you might then declare, “Why in hell isn’t Charles Wang spending?”

Some answers:

1. Venue certainty didn’t become reality until last fall, long after free agency and trade upticks.

2. The Isles lose money each year in Nassau.

As for the “Garth Snow Must Go” crew:

1. The budget given by Charles: Notice the waiver pickups. There was a reason for those, and it doesn’t seem by chance or that Garth likes thrift stores. I think it’s because there are severe limitations to what can be spent.

2. Most rebuilding chips are not slated to arrive until next season. Ryan Strome, Nino Niederriter, Reinhart, Donovan, de Haan, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee (might see him later this season) and more are coming soon. How can one judge an NHL rebuild without the pieces on the ice? You can’t. Plus, who is going to suddenly come in as general manager, following Charles’ vision and budget? Sorry, there are no magic pills. The Isles are committed to this tract and must see it through.

Whatever the amount in the glass, if the losing continues, the coach will find himself on the chopping block. There’s simply no choice. A free-fall to the levels we saw in previous years will not be tolerated, whether the players like the coach or not. Scott Gordon wrote himself out of Long Island two years ago. The players believe in Jack Capuano, but believing and performance are two different things, and the Islanders have to get themselves out of this tailspin.

There are no answers in promoting one of the assistants: Brent Thompson or Doug Weight. After all, Weight has no coaching experience whatsoever and is learning on the fly. Meanwhile, Thompson being tapped for coach would really no different than when Cappy took over. Islanders fans would just be hoping for a different result. I think both would be a poor choices, and neither would assure improvement.

Very few tried-and-true coaches are available. One would need to be found. My own thought is Marc Crawford, a Cup-winning coach who Garth Snow is very familiar with. Crawford coached Garth when he was a goalie in Vancouver.

However, the coaching job is not up for grabs just yet, and won’t be if the team can recover. But it has to happen VERY soon. Time is running out.

There’s a point when development becomes about the win-loss column. The expectation this season is that the Islanders need to compete for a playoff spot. No matter the melodrama or conjecture by fans, Garth has said as much, that there’s enough talent on the roster to make a run at the very least.

Add some solid waiver-wire additions, and there should be no excuses. The best player outside of the top line has been Brian Strait over the last few games.

We all knew the special-team percentages, so incredible at one point, would drop. But the 5-on-5 play, despite the special teams, was a concern even when they were winning. In the last few games it has gotten worse. This will determine the Islanders’ true growth, and a lack thereof might be enough to show Capuano the door. It must change, and the scoring of the team must derive from more than the top line. Otherwise, strap yourselves in for a long season.

We already see that coming into play, as Michael Grabner was placed on the third line. Fans seem to be outraged by this, but seem to forget that most of Grabner’s offense comes from transition play, breakaways, and special teams — something still likely to happen in each game.

I wrote over summer that there was a belief Grabner might lend himself more as a third-line player, albeit a scoring third-liner, since the Isles have always wanted three scoring lines.

They want to see the players win the one-on-one battles, something that’s haunted them game-to-game. If you win one-on-one, you can score. That’s the bottom line.

As for fans waiting for the cavalry to arrive, well, there’s no rescue planned. Players deemed to need more time, guys planned for next season, are where the Isles think they belong. No trade is on tap. Despite rumors of trade talks with the Oilers and other teams, it has been said many times — here and elsewhere — that Garth talks to other GMs all the time. I wouldn’t expect much to change; no sudden deals to rescue the team. GMs who deal in a position of need and desperation are the ones over-paying. The Isles can’t afford to do that with so little working right now, and Garth doesn’t have a history of pulling off reactionary trades.

While Long Islanders might be up in arms over the situation, does it really matter to the board of governors and the owner, who are more concerned about the next step in Brooklyn? Isles fans want to see results, or at least youth, which has been an issue all season with Ryan Strome sent back the OHL, and Donovan and Nino in the AHL.

So far, it’s been status quo — no youth and no trade.

What really might determine what the Islanders owner and GM are willing to do: How close are they from moving to Brooklyn? That might be the million-dollar question if there’s a key addition.

Otherwise, strap yourselves in for a wild ride.

12 Games – One-Quarter Of The Season Done:

Islanders’ goals-against average is 29^th in the league at 3.58 per game. Only the Panthers are worse with 3.83.

Goalie save percentage has plummeted during the losing streak. Nabokov went from .923 versus the Devils to .800 versus Buffalo. Not pretty.

The power play stuttered but is back on track at 25.5 percent, tied for 4^th in the NHL. Sobering issue: they’re tied with the hapless Capitals. Both struggling teams stand as reminders that as good as the power play might be, it doesn’t mean much to the bottom line.

5-on-5 reality bites: Islanders are 28^th out of 30 in the 5-on-5 goals for-goals against ratio. Their forwards are losing the one-on-one battles. The defense hasn’t held strong. The goalies have faltered. The team, as byproduct, is in disarray.

We will revisit these stats at the next one-eighth mark — in 6 more games. Might things be better then? Hopefully there will be less of the sad, forlorn looks from Islanders fans watching their team flail on the ice.

Read more columns by B.D. Gallof and follow him on Twitter at @BDGallof.

Will the Isles turn things around, or is Capuano as good as gone? Islanders fans, sound off in the comments…

The look on John Tavares’ face on the bench as Monday night’s game ended told you everything you needed to know about the Islanders’ current state of affairs.

There he was, the normally never too high or too low star of what’s supposed to be an up-and-coming team looking as if someone just stole his lunch money.

Don’t be fooled, though. Tavares and his teammates aren’t being bullied by anyone. They are kicking themselves around the schoolyard and locking themselves in lockers.

What started as a season of promise has morphed into one of utter frustration. The Isles are at the quarter pole of their season and they find themselves in familiar territory, looking up at nearly everyone else in the Eastern Conference.

This wasn’t supposed to happen, not after a 4-2-1 start had them tied with New Jersey for first place in the Atlantic Division not even nine full days ago. Five straight losses later and the Isles are 10 points behind the conference-leading Devils, in 14th place.

People often speak of what can happen in a New York minute. Well, this is yet another bitter reminder of what often happens in a Long Island minute.

For the bottom to drop out like this during a normal 82-game schedule would be one thing, because five consecutive losses is generally not considered a death sentence, but to fall off the face of the Earth as they have in a condensed 48-game season is something else entirely.

The Islanders have been no strangers to stringing together losses that have ultimately destroyed a season before it has actually begun. In 2009-10, they lost 15 of their first 18 games, before rallying to finish with a rather respectable 79 points. In 2010-11 they lost 14 straight from October into November, a demise that cost then-coach Scott Gordon his job. In 2011-12 they lost 14 of 16, again from October into November, before playing much better hockey in the second half.

But the consistently better play during second halves of seasons really hasn’t mattered. The Islanders have still repeatedly finished in last place in the Atlantic and have still found themselves in the draft lottery.

So fast forward to the start of this season, one that was supposedly going to show that the rebuild actually worked and that this team wouldn’t go into extended tailspins, ruining any chance they were to have to finally get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07.

Well, they are indeed ruining any chance they have because when a team loses five straight in a shortened season, it might as well be 10. Every loss is compounded, and when you throw in the fact that the Islanders are playing nothing but divisional and conference foes, the defeats are compounded further. Missing out on two points, in many instances, is actually doing a lot more damage because the teams they are losing to are directly competing for those coveted eight spots.

The excuses given for the Islanders’ past demises revolved around youth and inexperience and that reasoning was generally accepted by both fans and the media watching the day-to-day development of all involved.

But the Islanders now find themselves in the fifth year of drafting high and buying low, the latter of which being basically forced upon them due to owner Charles Wang’s reported $250 million-plus in losses due to the franchise’s horrendous arena situation. While no one can predict the timetable for when kids will become men playing a man’s game, five years should be long enough to at least make a team somewhat relevant.

The Islanders, despite their improvements in some areas, are still not relevant, and their current five-game losing streak speaks volumes as to why.

This may be the worst 5-on-5 team in the entire NHL. Despite having Tavares, who, to be fair, has been exceptional, perennial 30-goal scorer Matt Moulson, explosive Michael Grabner, extremely offensive-minded defenseman Mark Streit, and a few others, the Isles have scored just 22 even-strength goals in 12 games. That’s an absolutely terrifying statistic. They do not have a player in the black in the plus-minus category. Again, horrifying.

The Isles do have the league’s No. 4-ranked power-play unit, which is a positive, but it’s nowhere near enough by itself on a nightly basis to put this team in position to win games consistently. The Isles have 13 power-play goals, but four of them came in Monday night’s 6-4 loss to Carolina on home ice. Prior to that game they had gone without a goal in 22 consecutive man-advantage opportunities and, coincidentally, lost all four games they spanned.

Because this team doesn’t score at even strength it puts an inordinate amount of pressure on its special teams, and it is unfair to ask the power-play and penalty-killing unit, which is currently No. 3 in the NHL at 89.5 percent, to continue to put up these kinds of PlayStation-like numbers.

The Islanders certainly get their chances. As opposed to previous seasons, what’s happened so far in this shortened season has not been a case of teams steamrolling them from the second the puck has been dropped to start any one game. During their current losing streak the Isles have actually outshot their opponents 159-125, including an absurd 43-15 edge in a 3-2 loss to visiting Buffalo on Saturday. What’s happened has also not been a case of every opposing goalie having a career night.

They just don’t finish, and this is with Tavares and Moulson having 15 and 13 points, respectively, in a dozen games, and newcomer Lubomir Visnovsky doing exactly what he was brought here to do in the two games he’s played.

Defensively, this team has actually been better than it’s patch-work pairings would suggest, though I would prefer they stop using their sticks in front of the net and start blowing guys up with the body. But that aside, the Islanders have allowed the second-most goals in the NHL, but 43 in 12 games looks a lot worse when your goaltending has been basically nonexistent. And that shouldn’t be the case considering Evgeni Nabokov’s track record. Nabokov has an .897 save percentage in 10 starts. Rick DiPietro, he of the “Survivor: Uniondale” look these days, is a shell of the player he was in college, let alone the limited number of professional games he’s actually played in over the last five seasons due to an assortment of well-documented injuries.

Meanwhile, the Islanders traded for two-time Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas last week, knowing full well he’ll likely never play a game for them and that the move was strictly done to get them to the cap floor. Let’s just ignore the fact that even as he sits out this season in a beer-stained undershirt and probably nowhere near game shape, Thomas is infinitely better than either of the options currently on the big club.

The Isles’ slide started with losses to New Jersey and Pittsburgh, teams they had beaten previously, and then the Rangers. Now I’m not going to sit here and try to make a case that the Islanders are better than any of those teams, because they aren’t, but they often looked listless and non-competitive during stretches of all three games, and that should be unacceptable considering this is now several seasons of largely the same players playing together. The losses to Buffalo and Carolina were simply inexcusable when you look at how much of each game the Islanders played in the offensive end.

People should be worried for their jobs right now. Now some would say if Wang is quietly turning up the heat on all involved he’s a big-time hypocrite because the Islanders are millions upon millions of dollars under the cap, but, right or wrong, his financial issues are likely not going to impact his mindset. The way he probably sees it is these players have a job to do. If they don’t do it, regardless of the lack of money spent to construct the roster, they should still be held accountable because there is talent on this team. This is not an expansion team or one filled with nothing but kids one year removed from college or juniors.

Jack Capuano has to be fearing for his head coaching life right now. He just doesn’t have the time or the luxury of waiting for things to work themselves out. If the Islanders don’t turn this thing around and get north of .500 soon he’s likely going to get fired, because, again, the mindset in the front office and owner’s box is different than the reality the fans see. Wang and general manager Garth Snow expect results, and, frankly, I agree that there’s no question the Islanders should be better than they are.

But there’s not going to be an easy game the rest of the way. Just look at the Isles’ next three — at the Rangers and then home for New Jersey and Philadelphia. They then head out on a three-game trip to Ottawa, Montreal and Buffalo.

Sooner or later they have to turn this around or the season will be for all intents and purposes over before we hit St. Patrick’s Day.

And if that’s the case, the beer and the tears will flow aplenty on Long Island, as usual.

Read more columns by Jeff Capellini and follow him on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet

Do you see any chance of the Islanders turning this around and making the playoffs? Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below …

Then the third period came, and everything changed.

Alexander Semin netted his 200th NHL goal, and Jiri Tlusty scored twice and had two assists in the decisive final frame for the Hurricanes, who overcame three deficits and a poor night of penalty-killing to send the Islanders to their fifth straight loss, 6-4 on Monday.

Carolina was still smarting from a 0-4 mark against the Islanders last season. New York seemed in line to get back to its winning ways, but it wasn’t to be.

“We controlled the play well down low. We were smart with our decisions,” said Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, who extended his point streak to eight games with a goal and assist in the third. “This was a good test for us, and we owed them from last season. This one felt very good.”

Not so much for the Islanders, who finally figured out their power-play woes with four man-advantage goals, but generated no offense at even strength. After a 4-2-1 start, New York is 4-7-1 and 1-5 at home.

“We’re the type of team that needs all 20 guys, and I don’t think we got that tonight,” coach Jack Capuano said. “We’ve got to find a way 5-on-5 to generate some offense. Our power play was good, but it’s not going to be there every day.”

Semin got help on his milestone goal as his shot from the right-wing boards hit the helmet of Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic and caromed off the post past goalie Rick DiPietro at 5:33 of the third period.

Carolina tied it 3-3 just 30 seconds into the third when Semin fed a pass to Tlusty for his first goal. Eric Staal scored at 9:09 to make it 5-3, and Tlusty added an empty-netter with 10.3 seconds remaining to give him a four-point night.

“I felt lucky to be scoring because many guys played well,” Tlusty said. “It doesn’t matter who gets the goals as long as we win. We definitely owed them from last year and we talked about that coming in.”

Former Islander Tim Wallace and Jeff Skinner also had goals for the Hurricanes, who are 3-1-1 on a trip that ends Tuesday at New Jersey. Cam Ward made 24 saves.

DiPietro made just his second start of the season for New York and was in line for his first win since December 2011 before things fell apart.

Frans Nielsen, John Tavares and Matt Moulson all gave New York leads it couldn’t hold. DiPietro finished with 25 saves, but heard derisive chants and sarcastic cheers when he made stops in the third. It was the first appearance in a home game for the oft-injured goalie, who has lost his starting job to Evgeni Nabokov, since Nov. 23, 2011.

Moulson brought the Islanders within 5-4 by netting his second power-play goal of the game with 8:28 left. New York scored on its first four advantages after a 0-for-22 drought the previous four games. The run ended soon after when the Islanders couldn’t produce the tying goal on chance No. 5.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” Capuano said. “You can’t get frustrated. You can’t get down on one another. We’ve got a good bunch of guys. Adversity is something that you go through in life, and right now we’re going through it.”

Tavares cashed in New York’s second power-play goal when he flipped a shot over Ward at 5:23 of the second period for his seventh goal.

Before the goal announcement could be completed, the Hurricanes tied it again. Skinner matched Tavares’ goal total when Jordan Staal found him in the slot for a shot that beat DiPietro between the pads at 5:52.

But then the Islanders’ suddenly potent power play clicked for the third time. Brad Boyes fed a cross-zone pass to Moulson, who was alone near the right post. He went down to a knee and pumped a shot past Ward at 7:46 for his fifth goal, but first at home.

New York survived three trips to the penalty box in the second period, including two in the opening 1:18.

Nielsen opened the scoring off a crisp feed in front by Josh Bailey, who recorded his first assist of the season in his second game. Bailey quickly moved the puck from the boards in front to Nielsen, who slid a shot past Ward at 2:48 of the first.

That was the first man-advantage tally against Carolina in four games following 11 straight kills.

Ward was otherwise strong in the period in making 11 saves. Carolina generated only six shots at the other end, but got one to pinball off sticks and a skate to get even.

Jamie McBain fired a drive from the top of the right circle that hit Islanders forward David Ullstrom in the circle on its way to the net. The puck then struck Wallace’s skate and was redirected into the net for his first of the season at 13:42. A brief video review was held before the goal was confirmed.

“There were some crazy bounces,” DiPietro said.

NOTES: The last time the Hurricanes allowed four power-play goals and won was Oct. 28, 2005, against Philadelphia. New York hadn’t scored four power-play goals and lost since Oct. 14, 1978 — 10-7 at Toronto. … The Islanders are 4-2-1 when they score a power-play goal. … Nabokov had started seven straight games. … McBain was a healthy scratch in Carolina’s loss at Philadelphia on Saturday. … Wallace’s past two goals have been scored against the Islanders. … Lubomir Visnovsky earned an assist on Moulson’s second goal for his first point with the Islanders in his second game.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or

Scrolling through the Islanders’ comprehensive auction page, which was established to raise money for Hurricane Sandy relief, Jordan Mosberg’s parents wisely scrolled past every autographed stick and jersey.

They instead came away with “Islanders Equipment Manager For A Game.”

Maybe they thought it was time for their nine-year-old son to learn how to do laundry.

Fortunately for Jordan, he was quickly promoted from the dryer room to the Islanders bench.

Jordan spent the afternoon in the Islanders locker room handing out towels, and waters, and even running equipment back and forth from the repair room to the players.

He watched pre-game warmups from the home bench and finished the game along side Head Equipment Manager Scott Boggs, meeting every player for an autograph.

Knowing Boggsy, Jordan likely walked away with a new Islanders wardrobe, too.

Here’s Jordan meeting Lubomir Visnovsky after the game.

Here he is playing it cool - clearly not noticing Kyle Okposo - while preparing to hand out waters with Assistant Athletic Trainer Phil Watson.

Miller made 41 saves, and Alexander Sulzer scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period for the Sabres, who earned a 3-2 victory over the Islanders despite being outshot 43-15.

”Every season you’re going to have games like that,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. ”Ryan made the big saves when we needed them.”

Thomas Vanek and Christian Ehrhoff added goals for the Sabres, who won their second straight game. The Islanders dropped their fourth in a row after a 4-2-1 start.

”We deserved better tonight, there’s no question,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. ”I felt the effort for 60 minutes was there.”

John Tavares and Colin McDonald scored for New York, and Brian Strait had two assists. Evgeni Nabokov made 12 saves for the Islanders, who erased a pair of one-goal deficits but couldn’t overcome a third even after Tavares was awarded a penalty shot with 3:53 remaining.

“We got to win hockey games, we have to get results,” Tavares said. ”We got to find a way to get points we need. We got to find ways to win and get back on the winning track and there’s not much time.”

The teams were tied 2-2 after two periods largely because of Miller, who made 27 saves through 40 minutes. He covered up for breakdowns by his teammates in the defensive zone and then turned aside Tavares’ penalty shot with a glove save.

”We just need a win at this point,” Miller said.

Miller, the 2010 Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie, was also bailed out when Tavares hit the post on a semi-breakaway earlier in the third.

”I think with as many opportunities as we had, we got to put them in when we can,” Tavares said.

Sulzer put the Sabres ahead for good 7:35 into the third, and Miller made sure they would leave snowy Long Island with a win. Sulzer’s shot appeared to bounce off the ice and in the net over Nabokov’s shoulder.

”Just one-timed it,” Sulzer said. ”Maybe (the puck hit him in a) tough spot.”

Vanek, the NHL leader with 11 goals, opened the scoring 9:28 into the game. The forward was stationed in front of Nabokov and jammed a loose puck over him.

Tavares got the Islanders even at 1 in the final minute of the first period with his sixth goal of the season. After he got free from Ehrhoff, Tavares planted himself on the far side of the net before stuffing Brian Strait’s shot past Miller.

Ehrhoff atoned for an earlier mistake by giving the Sabres a 2-1 lead 12:21 into the second with his first goal of the season. Ehrhoff, Vanek and Cody Hodgson played a three-man passing game through the neutral zone.

”(Hodgson) hit me back through the middle, and (I) put it in,” Ehrhoff said. ”That was definitely a good play.”

However, that lead was also short-lived as McDonald scored the tying goal with 2:25 left in the second. He snapped a shot from the slot past Miller for his first goal of the season, and the second of his NHL career.

The Islanders got a pair of previously suspended players into their lineup for the first time this season. Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who made his Islanders debut, and forward Josh Bailey made their debuts.

Bailey was on the club’s suspended list because of an injury he sustained while playing in Germany during the NHL lockout that prevented him from playing when the season started.

Visnovsky, acquired in a trade after last season, was suspended by New York after he chose not to report to the team when the lockout ended.

The defenseman attempted to have the trade overturned, and subsequently said through his agent that he wanted to play this season with HC Slovan of the Kontinental Hockey League. The announced crowd of 12,608 alternated between booing Visnovsky and chanting ”Lubo.”

”I was pleased with his game for a guy who hasn’t played for the last three, four weeks,” Capuano said.

Bailey started the game on a line with Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. Visnovsky was paired with Strait at even strength, and then with captain Mark Streit on New York’s first power play. Bailey was even in 12:48 of ice time. Visnovsky logged 20:34.

NOTES: Buffalo scratched defenseman Tyler Myers and forwards Matt Ellis and Cody McCormick. Myers has a minus-9 rating and 12 penalty minutes in 11 games. … Eric Boulton, Joe Finley and Marty Reasoner were scratched by the Islanders. … Buffalo improved to 70-59-22 against the Islanders.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

From the allegations and names dug up by the Miami New Times, Yahoo! Sports and Sports Illustrated in connection with Biogenesis and the assertions by Curt Schilling, it’s been another insufferable week around the world of sports and performance-enhancing drugs. No matter your stance on Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun or the former Red Sox front-office member who shall not be named, the stories can’t be ignored.

PEDs are a part of sports. It’s why human growth hormone testing is in the NFL and why David Stern wants it in the NBA as early as next season. Beyond HGH lies a world of the unknown, undetectable and far beyond the comprehension of the common fan. Steroids and performance enhancers have been part of sports forever — from “greenies” in the days of Henry Aaron to horse ointment used by the early 90s Cowboys — and will continue to be as long as athletes are intent on competing at the highest level.

The drugs are evolving. The conversation must follow suit. It’s time to stop the anger and disappointment that spews everywhere from airwaves to columns to happy hours. Enough is enough with the steroid and PED disappointment. Let’s change the conversation before it consumes the love of the game.

Baseball is full of cheats. Football probably has more than you can imagine. To think hockey and basketball are “clean” is woefully naive. Testing is just a small part of the equation. Educating young athletes is another. Acceptance is maybe the most crucial, though. It’s not 1923 anymore, folks. Babe Ruth isn’t showing up to the park with a cigar in his mouth and two hot dogs in each hand. Money in sports has exploded to the point where competition for playing time and contract status trumps all. These players will do anything to get ahead.

To an extent, drugs and modern medicine are just the evolution of sports. From Adrian Peterson’s miraculous recovery from knee construction to Peyton Manning’s neck fusion surgery, athletes are granted the ability to continue playing at a high level despite injury.

Despite the obsession we have with ridding professional sports of PEDs, those drugs are part of the evolution. Kobe Bryant is praised for his ability to play at a high level 17 years into a Hall of Fame career. Part of the reason for that is the radical stem cell treatment he received in Germany. The line between legal and illegal supplements and treatments is blurred. Bryant can go to Germany for a knee procedure but Rodriguez can’t rub a cream on his hip? Unless there’s a clear demarcation point, count me out of the firing line on professional athletes.

BALCO and Biogenesis are stories because they surprise and shock us, but the details are just part of how sports work today. Scientists are constantly finding ways to make people feel younger and perform better. It’s just natural that rich, insecure athletes would find their way into those offices. Bud Selig and Roger Goodell can talk all they want about cleaning up the games they oversee, but it’s dog-chasing-tail obsession. Athletes will always be ahead of the curve.

At some point, fans will accept some of these advancements and the playing field will be opened up and evened out. Andy Pettitte once apologized for using human growth hormone to rehabilitate an injury in order to get back on the field and perform. Down the road, that might not be illegal. If doctor’s condone the merit of small, supervised doses of PEDs for rehabilitation and training use, the next generation will make it commonplace.

Eventually, fans need to see the writing on the wall and change the conversation. New questions can and should arise: How harmful can these drugs be? Does it make sense to allow some in small doses? How much performance help can they really provide? Are teams complicit like in the Schilling accusation?

The PED conversation isn’t leaving the sports world anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change the direction of the talking points.

Do PEDs in sports still irk you, or have you grown to accept them? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below…

Joe Giglio was the winner of Fantasy Phenom III in 2012. You can hear him on WFAN this Saturday from 1-3 a.m. Twitter? He’s on it @JoeGiglioSports.

The teenage rookie found the net twice in his second career game to lift the New York Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

Miller, however, said setting up others is really more of his game. As long as pucks go in, the goal-starved Rangers will gladly take offense from anyone.

“I am more of a playmaker,” said Miller, who won’t turn 20 until March. “I’ve always had more assists than goals.”

Just not yet in the NHL.

Miller was kept off the scoresheet in his debut on Tuesday — a 3-1 loss at New Jersey — and didn’t add any assists on Thursday en route to claiming the “Broadway Hat” as the game’s MVP.

But as is his nature, Miller was already preparing to dish it to another worthy teammate.

“It’s a nice hat,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting a win next time so I can pass it off.”

Miller gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead just 1:29 in and then pushed their advantage to 3-1 in the second period with a rare power-play goal for the club. Marian Gaborik also scored, defenseman Marc Staal had two assists, and Ryan McDonagh added an empty-net goal to give the Rangers their second win in three games.

“We wanted to have a good start,” Staal said. “We’ve been getting scored on first a lot. It’s tough playing catch-up in this league. We knew that first goal was important. We ended up getting two. That was huge for us and we were able to close it up.”

The Rangers have an eight-game winning streak over the Islanders at Madison Square Garden, outscoring them 35-11.

New York entered with 20 goals, tied for fewest in the NHL, but scored more than two for just the second time in five games. The Rangers connected for only the fourth time this season in 37 power-play opportunities — the worst percentage in the league.

“We have to find a way to get points,” coach John Tortorella said of his 5-5 Rangers. “I still think there’s a lot of sloppiness with our game. There are a lot of things that need to continue to improve.”

The Islanders’ struggles on the power play continued as they went 0 for 5. They have failed in 19 straight chances over three games after going 9 for 24 to begin the season.

Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves as he started for the ninth time in the Rangers’ 10 games and earned his first win in three outings.

He, too, was pleased by the instant offense provided by the young Miller.

“It’s great. We need everybody to do good stuff for us,” Lundqvist said. “He plays so mature out there, making good decisions with the puck. It’s important. It definitely brings some energy to the group. Guys come in and do well right away.”

The Rangers also welcomed back captain Ryan Callahan, who had missed three games because of a shoulder injury sustained nine days earlier.

Callahan helped on the Rangers’ penalty-killing and added a different kind of assist — fishing out the first puck from the Islanders’ net to present to his young linemate.

“He just kind of does it all for the line of me and (Chris Kreider) — just two young guys,” Miller said. “It feels really nice to have a guy like that.”

John Tavares scored his fifth goal of the season in the second period to cut the Islanders’ deficit to 2-1, but they dropped their third straight after a 4-2-1 start. Evgeni Nabokov stopped 21 shots just hours after the Islanders acquired veteran goalie Tim Thomas from the Boston Bruins.

The 38-year-old Thomas has no intention of playing this season — the last year of his contract — and has been under suspension by the Bruins for failing to report to the club.

Miller started the scoring early with a snap shot from the lower left circle that beat Nabokov. Gaborik made it 2-0 with 5:56 left in the first period when he was left alone in front for a perfectly placed drive that produced his sixth goal of the season.

“We have to make the opposition’s defense work harder,” Tavares said. “We just weren’t good enough. That is unacceptable. Our effort and consistency has to be there for the full 60 minutes. We have good periods and good momentum but we’re not carrying it through.”

Tavares brought the Islanders within a goal 11:13 into the second period with a rising wrist shot from the right circle that eluded Lundqvist’s glove, but Miller struck again with 1:49 left in the period when he got by the defense and came right in on Nabokov.

“We can’t be satisfied with playing close,” Nabokov said. “We have to win. We didn’t play bad. We have to get better at every single detail on the ice.”

NOTES: Rangers D Dan Girardi missed his second straight game because of an undisclosed injury. … The Islanders will send a conditional second-round draft pick to the Bruins either next year or in 2015, depending on if Thomas plays for New York. … The Rangers benched forward Brian Boyle to make room in the lineup for Callahan. Tortorella was critical before the game of Boyle, who has one assist, a minus-3 rating and 11 penalty minutes this season. … The Rangers went 1-2 without Callahan. … D Lubomir Visnovsky passed a physical and was activated from the suspended list by the Islanders after he didn’t report to the club to start the season. He wasn’t in the lineup and might play Saturday vs. Buffalo. … The Rangers were caught with too many men on the ice for the fifth time this season.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Thomas chose to take this season off following the NHL lockout and was suspended by the Bruins after he didn’t report to training camp last month. The 38-year-old goalie is in the final season of a four-year deal that counts for $5 million against the salary cap.

The Islanders have plenty of room to fit Thomas’ salary on their cap, and this deal provides financial flexibility for the Bruins.

Thomas, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie, has played in 378 regular-season games — all with the Bruins. He has gone 196-121-45 with a 2.48 goals-against average and 31 shutouts. Thomas ranks fourth on Boston’s career wins list and third in shutouts,

He also has a 29-21 mark in the postseason with a 2.07 GAA and six shutouts. Thomas won the Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Thomas was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994.

Good move, Isles fans, or too risky? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments section below…

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Locker Room Swag Alert: Our new friends at the Brooklyn Nets just dropped off some crisp new head wear.

I’ll have to send out a team text to remind the boys to leave the stickers on and keep the brims flat. 

Is it still too soon for our PR dept. to issue statements on Jay-Z’s behalf?

I see you Hova - good looks on the swag.

Cappy Shiner Update: Day 3 saw some nice new colors grace coach’s face.

Introducing the official pregame drink of the Isles.

Looks like a Shamrock Shake, tastes like someone blended Count Chocula with Fruity Pebbles and milk… Then added like 90 health supplements.

Derrek Douglas, the team’s strength and conditioning coach (and resident mixologist), came up with the recipe by starting with the team’s official post-game drink, then removing the tequila and scraping the salt off the rims of the Gatorade cups.

What’s an NHL team do after games in Toronto and Winnipeg, when every player’s pockets are weighed down by fistfuls of loonies and toonies?

Pick your favorite rookie and buy out the airport vending machine of all your favorite Canadian treats.

Last night’s lucky rookie? Casey Cizikas.

The top seller? Ketchup chips (tastes better than they sound).

Final bill - about $30 - Canadian.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Dream coming true tonight :)!!! U in?

Txt me back. TTYL

- Thomas

__________________________________________________

Good luck to Thomas Hickey in his NHL debut tonight in Winnipeg.

Sign of a good period: a 3-interview intermission.

Here’s Grabner with Isles Radio, Tavares with TSN radio and Boyes with MSG.

Sign of a blowout: Opponent’s TV broadcast jumps on board to make it a 4-interview intermission.

Then there’s the PR pinnacle (Also known by insiders as, “Le Pinnacle”). That’d be a blowout in Montreal, where French TV and Radio turn a 4 into a 6-interview intermission. I can dream…

The new team-issued Zigs found their ways into every players locker-room stall this afternoon.

Not quite as loud as last year’s model (pictured below), but maybe they’ll help the boys go a little more incognito at the hotel gym.

It’s both the bane of my existence and the primary purpose of my job.

Hard copies of the 2012-13 Islanders Media Guide finally arrived today, right on time for opening night.

The guide, which usually occupies/haunts only my summers, benefited from an additional 20-ish rounds of edits throughout the fall thanks to the work stoppage.

I can’t wait for journalists to start pointing out mistakes!

Pictured below are the final six rounds of edits, which today capped off our “off-season closing ceremonies,” making a graceful tumble into a recycling bin.

Fans who caught John Tavares’ guest appearance on Boomer and Carton’s radio show this morning on New York’s WFAN may have been surprised when, seemingly out of nowhere, the duo began tearing Matt Martin to pieces.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO COURTESY OF CBS RADIO

Carton started the anti-Martin barrage with, “This Matt Martin’s taking too many penalties, I can tell you that right off the bat.”

Tavares was blindsided. After a few moments of stunned silence, he managed, in a muted tone, “Martin?”

Carton added, “I worry about him being on the ice, because he’s a little out of control and it’s penalty-penalty-penalty for this kid.”

Falling back on his years of media training, Tavares recovered, citing Marty’s NHL hits record and clean play.

Boomer Esiason, the show’s resident Rangers fan, added, “I hear that Martin may be on the trade block, is that right?…I’m thinking maybe Vancouver.”

Vancouver, eh?

Now why would Boomer Esiason care so much if Matt Martin were dealt to a west coast team?

Say Boomer, would that be the furthest NHL city from, I don’t know, Boston…the city of a certain loved one in your family?

It turns out JT was unfamiliar with Boomer’s daughter, Sydney – a student-athlete at Boston College. I do believe, however, that she’s met Matt.

You heard it here first – Matt Martin has taken this Isles-Rangers rivalry to another level… a, umm, romantic level.

Sources say that the first time Sydney brought boyfriend Matt home to meet the parents, Boomer wore a Rangers jersey.

I can’t wait ‘till Sydney comes home in an Orange and Blue #17.

Here’s an exclusive Photo, courtesy Matt Martin Creeper Pics LLC.

 
P.S. Dear Arthur Staple – Where you at on this story? Consider yourself scooped.

P. P. S. I love everyone’s reaction to the #Isles tweet this morning: Keep an eye on @JesseDEisenberg and #SkatesOnAPlane for an #Isles EXCLUSIVE today. Big player news. #ItsHockeyTime!

Like we’re going to break a trade or player signing on SOAP, just so I can chirp the guy or something? This blog sticks to hard-hitting news.

Now starting at center for the Harlem Globetrotters… #91… John Tavares.

This year’s warmups inexplicably came with matching pants, and the boys simply cannot get enough. Best part is I’ve not once seen a guy wearing it without a throwback isles knit cap… Usually with a big Pom Pom on top.

The jacket and hat is on sale now at the team store… The pants just materialize the first time you pull off a front flip alley-oop over a lowly defender on the Washington Generals.

Updated Jan. 17

EDITORS NOTE:

In hindsight, I definitely could have gone “Life Aquatic.” Please bear with me as I try to recapture mid-season form. One week of training camp just isn’t cutting it.

Spare sticks for the Isles two newest defensemen - 6’8 Joe Finley and 5’11 Thomas Hickey.

Looks about right.

For the record, even Hickey’s sticks still tower over 6’1 Frans Nielsen’s.

The award for Best Headshot of the Day goes too…

Matt Carkner.

He was also the first headshot of the day - bright and early at 7 a.m. Matt just stepped right in for his closeup while his teammates were busy prettying themselves in the locker room.

Second place goes to the last headshot of the day, Matt Martin, for his one-year transformation into a pretty boy. Still not smiling though, so everyone knows he’s still tough - just better with the ladies.