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NHL Airport, Gate 6: New York Islanders

NHL AIRPORT
GATE 6: NEW YORK
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PREVIOUSLY: The New York Islanders were 42 games into the season and had a record of 16-17-8. The next night, they played the Boston Bruins. They won. Then they kept winning. Even with captain John Tavares out with an injury, the Islanders kept winning and won six games in a row in the final stretch of the regular season, just missing out on the playoffs, when the Toronto Maple Leafs won in their 81st game, clinching a playoff spot. Interim coach Doug Weight lead the team to just missing out on the playoffs by one point. Anders Lee led the team in goals with 34, while Tavares lead the team in scoring with 66 points. Thomas Greiss won the most games for the Islanders out of any goalie, with 25 points. 

ARRIVING: Jordan Eberle: Eberle was acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers for Ryan Strome. The Islanders have probably already won this trade while they acquire Eberle, who scored 20 goals and had 51 points last year. They'll add some much-needed scoring and enhance a horrible power-play. This move was a salary-cap dumb for the Oilers but a gold mine for New York. They add a lot more offense with this trade.

DEPARTING: Travis Hamonic: Hamonic was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a first and second round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, and a second round 2019 pick. He averaged a little over 20 minutes of ice time last year and adds to the Flame's defense group that is one of the best in the league. JF Berube: Berube was selected in the expansion draft, went into free agency and then signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a developing goalie who will be the starting AHL goaltender.

TAKING OFF? Josh Ho-Sang is emerging as a goal-scorer. Tavares will be looking either to get a big raise in free agency by having a career year or proving that he wants to stick with the Islanders by leading them back to the playoffs. They do have a solid lineup but with their Metropolitan division they won't make the playoffs.



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