The Islanders Cannot Afford To Simply Awaken In The Third Period Tonight Against Kraken

Without question, Patrick Roy must "Kraken the whip" on his New York Islanders tonight at UBS Arena.

If that is the very worst of puns related to Seattle's worst of hockey nicknames, so be it. (The club should have been named "Metropolitans" after the city's only Stanley Cup champions.)

What matters is that -- as the immortal Yogi Berra liked to say -- "It's getting late early."

For our beloved Islanders, that is.

You know what I mean: teams competing with Roy's stick handlers for a playoff berth are winning -- especially Torts' surprisingly good --Flyers and a few other worthwhile outfits.

The other day -- before the loss to Calgary -- Roy boasted about his four balanced lines, solid defense pairings, and goaltending. I was encouraged by what he said. 

Then came the loss to Calgary, and I was discouraged.

Let's put it this way. Tonight -- among those nights ahead -- is the night for four forward units and three defensive pairs to make good on the coach's laudable comments.

The Maven is not worried about Ilya Sorokin unless he does something to make me worry about him.

Okay, Islanders, go out there and make your coach -- and his salutations -- look good!