Split Decision

The Islanders were bi polar this weekend, having played horrific Friday night and terrific Saturday night. Their slight, split personality disorder may have been a result from an exhausting week where the Isles climbed up in the standings significantly, and more importantly, out of the quick sand for the league's worst record. After crucial hits and beatings from New jersey, the Islanders came out aggressive against Buffalo and were able to win their fourth in five games.

Literally, not just figuratively, the Isles were two different teams this weekend. They skated flat footed, heads down, sticks off the ice and half assedly for most of the New Jersey beating. However, they turned a 180 the next night, dominating the Sabres in all aspects of the sport. MacDonald, who looked out of rare form Friday night, allowing five goals, on Saturday, collected over 35 saves, again, and allowed 2 past him for his eighth win of the season. Hillbert and Bregenheim were almost invisible in New Jersey yet seemed to radiate in Buffalo. Basically, all this weekend proved was that the Islanders are in fact resilient, and just seemed a little gased from their triumphant week, prior. Tongiht, the Islanders finish their 3 game, 4 night road trip in Montreal, and let's hope that they have the taste of vengenance on their lips from their collapse during their first meeting. And another quick sidenote, Nielsen out, Witt in. The Isles defense should be at its strongest tonight whereas they must get some offensive sparks from unlikely heroes.