Unfortunately, now the aggregation needs to affected cogent injuries to two of its added key players.
DiPietro will accomplish his aboriginal aperture day alpha in three years Saturday night aback the Islanders, after advanced Kyle Okposo and top defenseman Mark Streit, activate the division at home adjoin a Dallas Stars aggregation attractive to body on a hasty win in its aboriginal game.
New York concluded aftermost division 34-37-11 to accomplishment nine credibility aback of eighth-place Montreal for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Although the Islanders accomplished aftermost in the Atlantic Division for the third beeline year, they acquired 18 added credibility than the antecedent season.
It could be tough, however, for New York to accomplish addition such jump after two of its best players.
Okposo, additional on the aggregation with 52 credibility aftermost season, will absence the aboriginal two or three months while convalescent from appropriate accept surgery. Streit led the Islanders with 38 assists and accomplished with 49 credibility - angry for eighth-best in the alliance by a defenseman - but will be out at atomic four months because of a broken larboard border and rotator cuff.
“It’s acutely an obstacle for us, but the better affair is that we accept to go advanced and accept that we accept some players who are able of bushing in those roles,” New York drillmaster Scott Gordon said. “It’s not like aftermost year. This absolutely would accept appealing abundant seemed like it concluded our season.”
The Islanders will acceptable angular a bit added on centermost John Tavares, who had 24 goals and a team-best 54 credibility as an amateur aftermost year. New York was 10-4-5 in amateur aback the 20-year-old had at atomic one goal, compared to activity 24-33-6 aback he bootless to score.
The Islanders should additionally account from accepting an advantageous DiPietro, who has played in alone 13 NHL amateur in the accomplished two seasons because of knee injuries.Watch Dallas Stars Vs. New York Islanders Live Online Give it a try >>>
