Rolling in the right direction

The Islanders may not be winning the Stanley Cup or even qualifying for the playoffs anytime soon, but the boys from Long Island are playing like a decent hockey team right now.

After a monumental 3-1 win over the Rangers on October 28, the Islanders have rattled off three more wins, bringing their streak to four straight.

They're tied for fifth in the powerful Atlantic Division and are sixth in the conference. If the playoffs started today, they'd actually be a part of post-season festivities. Obviously, it's still very early and fans aren't expecting much, but the wins are nice and a reminder that hockey still exists on Long Island.

Every aspect of the team is coming together nicely ... special teams, offense, defense, goaltending - it all looks good.

The action continues in Buffalo tonight and in New Jersey on Friday.

Rookie Watch

John Tavares is tied for the team lead in points (11) with Matt Moulson. He is also second with five goals and six assists.

Isles honor my mom, win big

It was a perfect night at the Nassau Coliseum. I celebrated my birthday, the Islanders beat the Rangers and my mother was honored during a ceremony in the first period.

About six weeks ago, I submitted my mom Annmarie's cancer-survivor story to the Islanders for a program they were running. She beat leukemia better than the Islanders could ever beat the Rangers. The best stories were selected and the survivors were honored last night at the 14-minute mark of the first period. It just so happened to be a game against the hated Rangers and fell on my birthday - making it a great time. There were about 10 guests, who stood where the zambonis enter and exit the ice, and waved at the camera as their names and hometowns were said over the loudspeaker. It was nice.

But, with the Islanders owning a less-than-stellar record thus far, the prospects of winning the game were slim. Things started gloomy in the first period when "Lets Go Rangers!" chants echoed through the bowels of the decrepit mausoleum.

The hits were good, the crowd intensity seemed acceptable - even with Game 1 of the World Series going on at the same time - and by the end of the second period the Islanders had a 2-1 lead. Lead, however, doesn't seem to be a word in the Islanders vocabulary because they regularly let up any inkling of winning in the third period.

The new Golden Boy, John Tavares, scored one of the biggest goals in his young career, giving the Islanders insurance and a 3-1 advantage with minutes remaining. As the seconds ticked away on the clock and Rangers fans everywhere bowed their heads in shame, the night turned out to be magnificent.

(Photo: Myself (l.), mom Annmarie and brother Bryan)

Higgins still goaless for NYR

Through 11 games this season, new Rangers forward Chris Higgins is still scoreless. Though this blog is mainly about the Islanders, I will write about things pertaining to Long Island hockey and since Higgins hails from Smithtown on Long Island, it's worth a mention that he has not scored with his new team, yet.

He has registered two assists thus far, but he is barely noticeable. So much so, that Rangers coach John Tortorella dropped Higgins to a lower line last week. He's in a new setting, closer to home, on a better team. There aren't many excuses for the fifth-year vet. He averaged 20 goals or more in his first three seasons and scored 12 last year, but missed most of the season with a shoulder injury.

On Wednesday, the Rangers will play the Islanders at the Coliseum. Maybe a trip further east will do the Long Island native some good.