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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Some wins are just sweeter to savor than others.
In the 24 hours after the Islanders' 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, fans have indulged themselves in highlights of Bo Horvat’s game-winner and the way he waved his teammates to join him on the ice, the same way Morgan Reilly had done for John Tavares’ 1,000th point minutes earlier.
Isles and Leafs fans and media personalities were still mixing it up on social media hours later, with MSG Networks analyst Butch Goring taking on TNT studio host and Spittin’ Chiclets co-host Paul Bissonnette jab for jab.
The Isles are 5-0-1 in their last six games and have points in 12 of their previous 13 games. They discussed the importance of this six-game homestand and the opportunity it presented to make up for the seven-game winless streak earlier in the season. After a shaky start vs. San Jose with fans clamoring for Lane Lambert to be fired, the team routed the Blue Jackets, came from behind against the Kings, and showed heart and resolve versus the Leafs.
They’ve been doing without Adam Pelech and have won the last two with Ryan Pulock as GM Lou Lamoriello made the shrewd acquisitions of Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo that should pay off both in the short and long term.
The power-play has become a weapon, and Noah Dobson is becoming a star. The top line is playing like a top line in the league, and the goaltending is raising its game from its already above-average status.
There’s no reason why the Isles shouldn’t continue to fly high against the Anaheim Ducks tonight. They have avoided slow starts most of the season and would like to carry over the momentum from Monday into this game and make it 10 of 11 points on what has become a most successful homestand.
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