Jack Capuano

John Tavares of the Islanders skates in warmups prior Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Gallof: Despite Game 3 Loss, Islanders Exuding Confidence Beyond Their Years

When the Islanders began their rebuild in 2008, following a dismal season and a grim recognition of the severe lack of prospects and future pieces they had in their system, they did not need to look far for role models on how how to turn things around.

2013/05/07

Beau Bennett and Jarome Iginla of the Pittsburgh Penguins watch a shot by Douglas Murray enter the net at 17:10 of the second period against Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Islanders Refuse To Give In To Doom And Gloom After Deflating Loss At Coliseum

The Islanders’ rallying cry is “Believe.” Even the most ardent of supporters might find that optimism difficult following Sunday’s home loss to the Penguins.

2013/05/06

Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save on Josh Bailey Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Tavares, Islanders Look To Solve Penguins’ Pesky ‘D’ In Game 2

Islanders star John Tavares anticipated the open space he found so easily during the regular season to be whittled away. He never thought it would disappear entirely.

2013/05/03

Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the New York Islanders reacts after giving up his fourth goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Isles Coach Jack Capuano: ‘We Need All 20 Guys Going, And We Didn’t Have All 20’

“I thought some guys worked hard and played a good game,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “Again, with our club we need all 20 guys going, and we didn’t have all 20.”

2013/05/02

Sidney Crosby (Photo by Vincent Pugliese/ Getty Images)

Islanders Catch Break, Won’t Face Penguins’ Crosby In Game 1

Pittsburgh will begin its quest for a Stanley Cup without Sidney Crosby. And that’s good news for the Islanders.

2013/05/01

John Tavares (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Tavares, Underdog Islanders Ready To Bring The Goods To Pittsburgh

While the Penguins are fixtures this time of year, New York is making its first playoff appearance since 2007.

2013/05/01

John Tavares (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images), Sidney Crosby (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders Will Need A Lot More Than Belief To Beat The CCCP Of NHL

So how do the Islanders pull this miracle off? They can start by watching “Miracle,” of course.

2013/04/30

The New York Islanders celebrate a power-play goal by Mark Streit #2 (3rd from left). (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Silverman: Islanders Have Opportunity To Make Name For Themselves Again

No, this team will not bring back the echoes of the great Islanders dynasty of 30-plus years ago. They are not going to win the Stanley Cup this year. But this team is young, hungry and improving. They have become the team that nobody wants to play.

2013/04/25

John Tavares (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Gallof: 5 Reasons The Islanders Made The Playoffs

All season I’ve stated the Islanders needed 54 points to make the playoffs. They have used a 7-0-3 run to get there. But where they are now can be attributed to many more factors, all of which had to happen.

2013/04/25

The New York Islanders celebrate a power-play goal by Mark Streit #2 (3rd from left) at 8:59 of the first period against the Florida Panthers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Gallof: Islanders Take Big Step, But Still Have Issues To Overcome

The Islanders got a big home win against the Panthers on Tuesday night, yet there are still concerns and issues to overcome.

2013/04/18

Evgeni Nabokov and Radek Martinek celebrate the Islanders' 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on April 16, 2013. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders’ Unrelenting Road Warrior Prowess To Get 1 Final Test

There’s plenty of time to play golf. Why not do it in June? The Islanders now seem destined to do their early spring gripping and ripping on the ice.

2013/04/17

Penguins Charge Past Islanders, Crosby Leaves Game With Bloody Injury

An injured Sidney Crosby left the game, but the Penguins won their 15th straight game by shutting out the Islanders.

2013/03/30

Evgeni Nabokov (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Islanders’ Momentum All But Gone Following Horrendous Loss To Flyers

The Islanders had a bit of a morose look on their faces as they left the ice Monday. If you had seen the previous 60 minutes of hockey you would have had a pretty good understanding of why.

2013/02/18

Gallof: Islanders Are Red, Fans Are Blue, Capuano Has 2 Games To Fix This Losing Stew

He might have just two games to notch a win. No coach lives comfortably with a multi-game losing streak. Seven in a row could be the last straw for Capuano here in Islanders Country.

2013/02/14

Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro gives up a goal to Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on February 11, 2013. (credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders Are Forever Stuck Living Through Groundhog Day

The look on John Tavares’ face as Monday night’s game ended told you everything you needed to know about the Islanders’ current state of affairs. None of it is good.

2013/02/12

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