Playoffs!? PLAYOFFS!? ; Witt struck by car

It seems as if it is that time of year for the playoff hunt to start being discussed on a more serious level. For the New York Islanders this season, the playoffs are more realistic.  As my colleague from Off The Rush, Dee Karl, stated recently, the New York Islanders are more like a “yo-yo” team as it is one game up, one game down.

Most recently, the Islanders were able to skate past a hot Atlanta Thrashers team behind a Matt Moulson hat-trick and a solid performance by Dwayne Roloson.  Two days later, the Islanders were in Tampa to take on the Lightning and Scott Gordon finally decided to give Dwayne Roloson back to back starts. The outcome, aside from some blown calls by the refs, was not a favorable one for the Islanders as they dropped a 4-0 decision.

Tonight, the Islanders are in Philadelphia to take on a team without any identity. A hot start to the season had teams preparing for doom when the Flyers would come to town, or when they had to travel to Philadelphia to do battle.  However, such is not the case any longer.

New coach, same results so far in Philly.  The Islanders will hope to add to the current doom and gloom in Philly.

The Islanders, in what I feel is an important “statement” game, can gain ground in the playoff hunt. Currently the Islanders are 11th place in the East with 29 points, one point out of playoff positioning. If the yo-yo type season can find some stability, the Islanders will be a force to reckon with not only in the Atlantic Division, but in the Eastern Conference and the NHL. A winning streak is a must. By winning “streak” – four of five games gaining two points in each in a row.

Tonight’s starting line-up (subject to change):

Matt Moulson – John Tavares – Kyle Okposo
Sean Bergenheim – Frans Neilsen – Trent Hunter
Jeff Tambellini – Josh Bailey – Jon Sim
Nate Thompson – Richard Park – Tim Jackman

Mark Streit – Bruno Gervais
Andy MacDonald – Jack Hillen
Brendan Witt – Freddy Meyer

Martin Biron

The power-play, which has been dismal this year, will be a very important part of tonight’s game.  The Flyers are known to take penalties, especially at crucial moments in a game, however the Islanders will need to not only generate offense from a power play they will have to stand guard on the penalty killers of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Two problems combined into one.  The only way to avoid disaster is to capitalize with the man advantage. With the Islanders having a 16.7 power-play percentage and hopes to having a playoff run, that number needs to improve drastically.

Calder candidates:

John Tavares and James van Reimsdyk will go head to head for the second of six tonight.  JT has 21 points and JVR has 19.  Both have been very impressive in their freshman seasons.

Brendan Witt vs Chevrolet:

As Katie from Newsday reported through her twitter account, later picked up by TSN.ca, Brendan Witt was struck by a  car earlier this morning in Philadelphia crossing the street to get himself a “latte” from the oh-so-overpriced Starbucks.  After a few lovely gestures to the driver Witt got up, dusted himself off, and stated “I am a hockey player” and went about his day. I applaud you Mr. Witt for if I was struck by a car I would not be up carrying about my day.

A good quote from KatieStrangNYI: “Brendan Witt 1, Yukon truck 0″

Garth Snow has the power:

Charles Wang has given GM Garth Snow the o.k. to go ahead and add payroll to this years club if Garth feels the Islanders are a serious contender to make the playoffs.

Garth Snow, like He-Man, you have the power.

Tonight could be a start of a sign of things to come.  The Islanders are only a few points behind in the playoff race in the crazy Eastern Conference. A statement game for sure.