New York Islanders Fans, No Need To Panic Yet

Despite only leading the dreaded New York Rangers by two points in the Metropolitan, Islanders fans shouldn’t think about hitting that panic button yet.

By this point in the season New York Islanders fans are normally watching their team spontaneously combust, and are forced to watch general manager Garth Snow move players out in a fire sale as he rebuilds for the future.

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Corny as it sounds, the future is now.

These are foreign waters for this organization, the team is currently on top of the Metropolitan division and has held that position firmly.

The New York Rangers are only two points back with the Isles having three games on hand.

Panic time? No, not at all.

The Rangers have been playing solid hockey and are winning without Henrik Lundqvist. Even Rick Nash is now out with a neck injury. The Pittsburgh Penguins are three points back and the Washington Capitals are six.

Yes, it is going to be a war from this point on as all four teams wrestle for the top spot in the division.

How do you refrain from worrying? Islanders nation as hard as you have tried the past eight years calling for Snow’s head, his crazy science experiment of managing a professional hockey team has finally surfaced.

Feb 14, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) high fives the bench after scoring during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. New York Islanders won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

With the trade deadline days away Snow has made it pretty clear that the Isles are going to hold their ground and go with the team they have. Does that make Islander fans feel better, probably not. Fans are waiting for the wheels on this awesome ride to finally fall off and spiral out of control to a point where the Islanders barely make the playoffs. Islander fans need to let the glass is half empty mentality go and follow Snow’s lead.

If Snow is confident in his team then you should be too. Snow has yet to steer us wrong all season and I do not see him jeopardizing the teams current season.

The team is a band of brothers that live and die together. The chemistry is obvious, to break that could be crippling. The guys in that locker room are well aware of what is playing out before them. They are going to have to try to avoid scoreboard watching and play their game. It is fine to know what the teams around them are doing but they need to stay focused on what they can control.

Jack Capuano has proved he can coach in this league. He is the second winningest coach in team history behind Al Arbour. He has also had to make some tough decisions especially as of late.

Chad Johnson has finally joined the party after his soft play was the focus point that Jaroslav Halak was being overworked and going to burn out. Johnson’s recent awakening is giving Halak much-needed rest and is another example of Garth Snow’s proof that he knows what is needed to build a winner.

The signing of Nick Leddy and the lucrative offer to Johnny Boychuk are all perfect examples that Snow and ownership are all in. You add all of the positive moves Snow has made and you might just realize there is no need to panic.

It’s hard not to have the images of Stanley Cups dancing in your head along with the magical storyline of closing out the Nassau Coliseum with a parade on Hempstead Turnpike.

There is a whole lot of hockey left, so Islander fans slowly back away from the panic button and know your beloved Islanders are in the right hands.

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