Honorable Mentions
JP Parise Passes Away
Former Islanders left winger JP Parise passed away in January after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life,” his son, current NHLer Zach, said. He will best be known for scoring the franchise’s first-ever series-winning goal.
Isles Swap Reinhart For Picks
General Manager Garth Snow made something out of nothing when he swapped former Isles prospect Griffin Reinhart for what ultimately led to two first round draft picks on Draft night. Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, who have both been tearing it up in the minors and the World Junior Championships this season, were the selections.
KO Nets Four
Isles winger Kyle Okposo scored four goals in one game on January 16th against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Coliseum. “I get pretty fired up to play these guys,” he said. Fans got fired up as well when he recorded one in the first period, scored the game tying goal in the third and ultimately ended up netting the game-winner in OT. Amazingly, this all happened when it was believed that he was suffering from a retina injury.
“If You Know The Rangers Suck, Clap Your Hands”
The team’s first big test at Barclays Center was a matchup with the New York Rangers in which the Brooklyn based team defeated their crosstown rivals 2-1 in a shootout. Jaroslav Halak was phenomenal, stopping 33 shots. “It was a playoff-type of game,” Tavares said. “It had the intensity with the crowd and everyone here.”
The Greiss Is Right
Thomas Greiss has shocked fans by posting a remarkable 2.03 GAA in 18 games. Signed to provide relief when neccesary, Greiss has developed into a legitimate threat and has kept the Isles in many games that they have no buisness to be in.
The Public Enemies
Tensions sparked during the team’s first round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, especially when Caps forward Tom Wilson dangerously hit Lubomir Visnovsky from behind, likely ending his NHL career. Additionally, fans looked to Jack Capuano and Brian Strait as reasons for a lack of success.
