Islanders Beat Senators 3-2 The Maven is calling tonight's Islanders-Blue Jackets collision in Why-Oh-Why-Ohio as "The Discovery Game." Like Columbus discovered America, we loyal to the Orange and Blue will discover which -- for one night at least -- of these evenly-matched teams is the superior sextet. How close are they? On pure points the Blue Jackets lead by one (8-7) but the Nassaumen (3-2-1) own a game in hand. Percentage-wise it's New York, .583-571. Take your pick. Better still, just flip a coin; you can't go wrong either way. Or, if the spirit moves you, look at it this way: * Isles have a one-game winning streak. * Jackets boast a four-game point streak. That includes their 4-3 OT loss to the Canadiens on Thursday night in Habtown. John Roslovic suggests, "We need NOT to back in and think too much." (And here I thought that that was only The Maven's problem!) Before Mike Babcock got sacked, Columbus was picked to finish seventh in the Met Division, two behind the Isles. But Babs' departure was like lifting a weight off the entire roster. The likes of Elvis Merzlikins in goal, a revived Johnny Gaudreau, Ivan Provorov and the ever adroit -- not to mention underrated -- Zach Werenski round out a not-too-bad backline. And when old Devils pal Damon Severson is on his game -- we never know, do we? -- I like this blue line battalion. Which brings me to our beloved boys in blue and orange: Let's not beat around the bush; defense needs big-time work and Ilya Sorokin or Varly need more help up and down the line. All things considered, the flaws are fixable; so let's see what happens. Editor's Note: Whoa, Bibs. A bow in the direction of Pascal Vincent the new coach who steered his team through the whole, ugly Babcock Blunder.
