Now we're talking. Streak, that is. The 5-1 win over Boston last night at UBS Arena means that the New York Islanders mean business.
Now we're talking.
Streak, that is.
The 5-1 win over Boston last night at UBS Arena means that the New York Islanders mean business.
In the past week, they've beaten a team they have to catch, Detroit, and two elite clubs, Dallas and the Bruins.
"Nights like this one are fun for a coach," smiled Patrick Roy, "because everyone on the team played well.
As the three-straight momentum has built, so has total club confidence, as all the cats joined in, playing an ideal 200-foot game.
"We were strong in our end," added Roy, "and in the offensive zone. Our guys were on the puck."
Nor was there any fear of a third period collapse as Ilya Sorokin said nyet, nyet and nyet to any final frame failing which had been the club's bugaboo for much of the season.
The Hall of Heroes bulged with aces, starting with the Three Stars -- Natural Hat Trick Kyle Palmieri, Captain Anders Lee, and the King of the Crease, Sorokin.
"As a line, we had a lot of chances," said Palmieri, who recorded his third career three-goal game. "I couldn't have drawn it up any better."
But all hands were on deck for this one; the one The Maven said would be THE TEST. The Orange and Blue's leading lamplighter, Brock N elson got another biggie for himself and the club. He was emphatic that his mates had to follow the successful road trip with a winning homecoming.
"It may have been our best game of the season," said Nelson. "We wanted to have a good start and we did and then we just never let up."
With the Trade Deadline just around the corner, The Boss Lou Lamoriello needed reassurance that the team he recently verbally supported could produce a W more than twice.
Well he got a good answer at home with as total an effort as possible; not to mention with great speed. Palmieri's three goals turned out to be the fastest hat trick in club history.
Support for Sorokin was built by Lee and Nelson as well as s defense-minded outfit that limited Sorokin's work load.
But there's more work ahead with the Blues coming to town next.
Not to beat a dead quote, but as The Maven has been saying for two months; what this club needs is a strong streak. A playoff berth is in sight, but the streak must continue -- and why not at home?
Or, as the productive Palmieri so aptly concluded: "We've just got to keep rolling!"