30 in 30 with the New York Islanders

DP · Aug 18, 2011

NHL.com

The time is now for the New York Islanders.

For a franchise that still doesn't have a deal in place for a new building, it is imperative that the Islanders accelerate what has been a slow and steady rebuilding process and qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007.

GM Garth Snow believed he had assembled a playoff team last summer, then watched his top defenseman (Mark Streit) and power forward (Kyle Okposo) suffer serious shoulder injuries before the puck even dropped on the 2010-11 season.

Now fully healthy, the Islanders boast a young, talented core that is eager to put the franchise back on the map. With their top blueliner back in the mix, this group -- headed by John Tavares -- could be one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference this season. Let's not forget that New York went 25-21-8 over its last 54 games.

Snow wasn't a big player in free agency, but he did improve his club up front. The Islanders signed Marty Reasoner to replace Zenon Konopka on the first day of free agency and more recently acquired Brian Rolston from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Trent Hunter. Both Reasoner and Rolston are quality veterans who are expected to contribute both on and off the ice.
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The Islanders are closing in on two decades without a playoff-series victory. Can they change their fortunes in 2012? Perhaps, but it will likely depend on their goaltending.

Rick DiPietro enters training camp as the No. 1 goaltender, but his 26 appearances last season were the most he's made since the 2007-08 season. DiPietro, who will be 30 when the season begins on Oct. 8 against Florida, went 8-14-4 with a League-worst 3.44 goals-against average and .886 save percentage in 2010-11. If he stays healthy, those numbers will need to improve drastically for the Islanders to have any chance of making the playoffs. After all, the other starting goalies in the Atlantic Division are Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov.

Al Montoya was impressive in his two-month stint in New York after being acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes in February. A first-round pick of the Rangers (No. 6 in 2004), Montoya went 9-5-5 with a 2.39 GAA and .921 save percentage in 20 games with the Isles.

And let's not forget, Evgeni Nabokov is still Islanders' property and he fully intends to report to training camp. If nothing else, reporters will have something to write about come September.

If the goaltending is solid and the team's top players manage to stay out of the infirmary, the Islanders could be ready to take that elusive next step. It's time things go right for a franchise that is desperate for good times.

Follow Brian Compton on Twitter: @BComptonNHL
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30 in 30 with the New York Islanders

DP He shoots, he scores!

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30 in 30 with the New York Islanders

DP He shoots, he scores!

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