Stan Fischler & Ray Ferraro talk, Spring 1993. @MSG Networks/SportsChannel Denver is one of the prettiest of North American cities and its hockey team happens to be one of the best in the National Hockey League. For sure, the visiting New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-new-years-resolution-players-coaches-lamoriello] won't be sightseeing the Rocky Mountain range, but Colorado's first-place team is in the Islanders' crosshairs. Guaranteed, that the Avs will make things rocky for the Visitors tonight at Ball Arena. The 2022 Stanley Cup champions have virtually the same scary look as before and are regarded by experts as a good bet to win another title -- maybe more. Reporter Jared Clinton made that point in the Hockey News Yearbook. "The Avs still have a shot at adding 'Dynasty' to this era in franchise history," wrote Clinton. Center Nathan MacKinnon is one big reason why Isles coach Lane Lambert will have to devise a way to stop this guy who has a 19-game home scoring streak. With 15 goals and 25 assists, MacKinnon is very much an offensive terror as Connor McDavid. And with sidekicks such as Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen leading the way, the Avs sit atop the Central Division with 49 points in 37 games. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzMzQ0MjM3OTgxMzQ1MzQ3/usatsi_19326339.jpg] "One of the lessons we've learned," said coach Jared Bednar, "is to stick with it." It's a lesson that the Isles would like embedded in their game, having lost the last two -- both to Pittsburgh -- in their last three games. This second of four road games has Lambert's club next facing the revived and threatening Coyotes on Thursday and defending champion Vegas on Saturday. After 36 games, the Isles have a commendable 17-10-9 record, but as the saying goes in this hockey business, "The real season begins in January." To squeeze into a playoff berth last spring, the Isles had to beat out eight teams. The Maven says they shall have to repeat the feat as well this time around. * Detroit: Yes, the Red Wings entered this year with high hopes, but they have disintegrated under weak goaltending and the failure of some big names to deliver. * Montreal: Coach Marty St. Louis has done some fine things to make the team competitive, but, like Detroit, the Habs have had goalkeeping issues since the heroic Carey Price retired. * Buffalo: The THN had them pegged for fourth in the Atlantic, but these hopes have been disappointingly dashed so far. It could mean that the Sabres's NHL-record postseason drought could reach 13 years. * Pittsburgh: You'd never know it after watching the Isles last two games with the Penguins, but Pitt blew a playoff chance last year down the stretch. With Crosby, Malkin, and Letang all a year older, it could happen again. * Columbus: Everything that could go wrong -- starting with the Mike Babcock disaster -- has gone wrong. Marquee additions such as Johnny Gaudreau have been keen disappointments. On paper or off, the Jackets have been far from the club boss John Davidson envisioned. * Philadelphia: John Tortorella could win the Adams (Best Coach) Award for what he's done to a team many believed was destined for the cellar. Can Torts sustain it? Maybe yes, but maybe a collapse like last year. * Washington: As Alex Ovechkin goes, so go the Capitals. Lately Ovie has been looking more like the Flatwheel Local than the dynamo who can revive owner Ted Leonisis' team. There's quality in the Capitols, but it may not be enough unless Big 8 plays BIG again. Mind you, the aforementioned analysis is based on a season that's not even half over. True to the bromide, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Time will tell whether I'm right; and that the Isles will make it again! TOP STORIES
