5 Islanders players who must bring their A-Game in February to stick around in the playoff hunt

If there is ever a time for Kyle Palmieri to approach a career-high in points…

Kyle Palmieri is currently fifth on the team in points with 29 in 50 contests, and his 13 goals are tied for fourth on the team. Overall, his numbers aren’t anything to brag about, even if you can call them solid. But it’s these solid, albeit unspectacular talents that can stand out and make a difference in a close contest, and Palmieri is that player for the Islanders. 

Right now, the 32-year-old looks as though he’s going to at least approach his career-high of 57 points, something that occurred way back during the 2015-16 season. Finding that groove for a team that ranks a meager 23rd with 146 goals provides an outstanding supplement, as they need at least one player we will never call a star to be serious contenders in a few more games. 

We know guys like Horvat, Nelson, Dobson, and Mathew Barzal will get their points, but Palmieri paces that second tier of players on the Islanders. Give him a final two months akin to what we saw from him in that 2015-16 season with the New Jersey Devils, and watch the Isles win.