New York Islanders: Jaroslav Halak Has Turned The Corner

Hard work finally pays off for New York Islanders

At some point early in the third period, after the Devils had just scored two quick goals against New York Islanders to nearly put the game out of reach, Jaroslav Halak violently swung and shattered his stick on the goalpost.

This sign of aggression and frustration proved to be the turning point in that game, as the Isles came back in dramatic fashion, killed a bogus penalty in overtime, and won the game in a shootout. In snapping their five-game skid just before they began their league-mandated “bye week”, the New York Islanders came back to work late last week rejuvenated in a sense.

In the Isles first game back, playing their arch-rivals the New York Rangers in their house, Jaroslav Halak was nearly flawless. Saving 37 of 39 shots and looking like he was a part gymnast/part feline at times, Halak single-handedly set the tone for the New York Islanders in their rout of the Rangers at The Garden.

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If Jaroslav Halak can keep this momentum going and continue to play at this high level, there’s no telling where it could lead the New York Islanders in their quest for the postseason. If Thomas Greiss can step his game up as well, the Islanders could hypothetically be heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a two-headed monster in net and an unquantifiable amount of talent up and down their roster. Look out, the New York Islanders are waking up.