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New York Islanders are this season’s feel good story

By Corey Parkinson

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders (l) signals Leo Komarov #47 following his goal against the Anaheim Ducks at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 20, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Ducks 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders (l) signals Leo Komarov #47 following his goal against the Anaheim Ducks at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 20, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Ducks 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders are taking the NHL by surprise. 

Entering the 2018-19 season the New York Islanders had lost their top player in John Tavares. Last season, their former captain scored 37 goals and added 47 assists. Along with Tavares, they had also lost their top goalie Jaroslav Halak to the Boston Bruins.

Halak had a 20-26-6 record with a 3.19 GAA and .908 save percentage. But they also made one of the biggest acquisitions in the NHL this offseason by hiring head coach Barry Trotz a mere two weeks after he led the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup Championship.

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Entering the season, the Islanders announced they were going to split their home games between the Nassau Veterans Coliseum and the Barclays Center until the 2021-22 season, when their new arena will be completed at Belmont Park.

They got off to a hot start with a 12-9-3 record with wins over Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver. Later, they went on a 17-6-2 run with wins over St. Louis, Buffalo, Colorado, Tampa Bay, and Washington.

Led by new captain Anders Lee with 18 goals and 19 assists, as well as their lone All-Star Mathew Barzal, who has 14 goals and 31 assists, the Islanders are currently 16th in the NHL in goals scored with 147.

Their biggest improvement has been their goaltending with Robin Lehner who is 16th in wins (15), first in GAA (2.02), and first in save percentage (.931). Their backup Thomas Greiss is tied for 19th in wins (14), ninth in GAA (2.50) and eighth in save percentage (.920). The one-two punch of Lehner and Greiss have allowed a league-low 122 goals.

Can they sustain this momentum after the All-Star break? It remains to be seen. The first few weeks after the break consist of games against Tampa Bay, Boston, Columbus, Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver.

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For right now, they will stay atop the Metropolitan Division with their surprising first place start. They definitely are a team to watch and could very well be a team to watch in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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