The Last Stand

So comes the last two games of the season, which really feel like one big game, seeing as we're having yet another back-to-back home and home against the Rangers. Tonight marks the last home game of the season, and tomorrow night the Isles will end the season the way they began it... on the road.

The last home-and-home. The last stand.

The Islanders find themselves a long way removed from how they began this season, having lost 70 percent of their roster and relying mostly on younger players to bring their game. It looked promising from the start... and as Billy Jaffe had stated last game, had the Isles been able to stay healthy, they would have likely managed to scratch and claw their way to the playoffs based on grit and hard work, and not necessarily talent, as they had last year. But what's done is done, and as the Isles close out the season tomorrow they will find themselves without a playoff berth for the second time in three years.

It's not necessarily a bad thing.

It's been an experience for the young guys, such as Okposo, Comeau, Bergenheim, and Colliton, who have gotten the chance to prove their mettle at the NHL level. It will give the injured players- DiPietro, Witt, Fedotenko, Comrie, etc.- a chance to really heal. And it will give the Isles' front office a chance to focus on starting the rebuilding process for a team that took steps last year and this year before losing so many players, but still needs to go back to the drawing board.

For some, this upcoming draft may be the panacea they long for at least in theory, especially if we are able to get a good pick (and thus, perhaps a shot at Steve Stamkos, the name on everyone's lips as far as I can tell when it comes to prospects), but I would also like to see some focus on what is in the NHL already. We have good homegrown talent, and we must focus on resigning and letting go of players who the organization feels have not given their all to the team. Perhaps the best thing out of all of this is seeing who we can bring up to the big leagues next year out of the youngsters- perhaps Tambellini long-term? Also, will Okposo find himself a spot on the roster come training camp?

Seeing as this is all months away from becoming the present, who can say for sure, right? However, it's a comfort to know that we can bring at least some positives out of the end of this season- and, being a hockey fan no matter what, I personally am very excited for these Stanley Cup playoffs!

So, not for the last time this season, but what will be one of them, I shall say...

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!