It took the entire training camp, preseason, and about thirteen regular season games, there was no sign of any turnaround coming beyond the strong road record since December 2013.

Maybe some chemistry is finally happening with this team.

Still a lot of problems starting with a first line left wing, and Strome producing with many other issues at five on five.

But that is how you need to play to win long-term when your scoring does not win 5-3. Whether it be Boychuck or Tavares out, regardless who dresses.

Every entry I kept writing it 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 games. Even if they lost the skills contest in Los Angeles or did not win against Anaheim or lost in overtime against Arizona 1-0 this is what it takes to be successful.

Injuries are the norm here--many of them.

Bottom line this is how they turned three weeks in April 2013 into a playoff spot.

#isles This is what it takes to win long term. Does not matter who dresses, goaltending+pk+low shots against when not scoring=built to last.
— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) November 9, 2014

Now comes the biggest problem of all. The road has not been the problem as they finished 17-5-2 to close last season and always find ways to win on the road.

#isles And that's now 23-8-2 on road back to last season for Jack Capuano's New York Islanders.
— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) November 9, 2014

#isles The toughest test for NYI, play this kind of hockey at Nassau Coliseum in front of thousands of empty seats.
— NYI Fan Central (@nyifancentral) November 9, 2014

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