Jeff Capellini

A New York Islanders fan holds a sign during warm ups before Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 11, 2013 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders Must Deviate From Formula And Get Aggressive This Summer

For the first time in ages the Islanders are not in rebuilding mode. They are in re-tooling mode. That’s an alien concept to many, but it’s the truth, and they need to act on it.

2013/05/14

Brian Strait and his Islanders teammates celebrate his goal at 14:05 of the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on May 7, 2013 in Uniondale, N.Y. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders Fans Have Every Reason To Dance, Chant And Sing

The Islanders are two wins away from turning the NHL on its ear. Their fans don’t care about what’s to come. They are just living in the moment — and who can blame them?

2013/05/08

Brian Strait of the Islanders takes a holding penalty in overtime against Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Capellini: Sorry Islanders, But The Best Actor In Black Always Wins Oscar

The Islanders have no choice but to stay out of the penalty box if they entertain any thoughts of winning this series. The problem is, they may not have a choice in the matter.

2013/05/06

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

Capellini: Making A Case For Islanders’ Tavares And The Hart Trophy

Whether or not the Islanders’ John Tavares should win the Hart Trophy goes back to the age-old argument of “most valuable” versus “best” player. So, let’s ask the questions that should be asked.

2013/04/24

Barkevious Mingo (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images), Chance Warmack (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Green Lantern: No Telling How Most Intriguing Draft In Jets History Plays Out

The Jets’ biggest problem is still at the most important position on the field, so it’s hard to get too high about anything they’ve done so far. But that also doesn’t mean this draft will provide the answers.

2013/04/23

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

Rangers captain Ryan Callahan, left, and Islanders captain Mark Streit (Photo: Getty Images)

Capellini: What’s Left Of Nassau Coliseum Roof To Blow Off Saturday Night

If it’s a playoff atmosphere you want, rest assured, you’re going to get it and then some at the old barn off the Hempstead Turnpike soon enough.

2013/04/13

Matt Martin, right, congratulates Evgeni Nabokov after the Islanders’ victory over the Lightning at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on April 6, 2013. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Capellini: Islanders Are On A Righteous Path To A Future With No Floor

Is this a coming-of-age story? You’re damn right it is. What the Islanders have done over the last six weeks is basically force the rest of the NHL to open its eyes and pay attention.

2013/04/09

Capellini: Lame Duck Status At Home Totally Messing With Islanders’ Mojo

Psychologically, the Islanders play at home like they, too, are expecting the roof to cave in. They are now an incredible 5-11-2 at the Coliseum, by far the worst home record in the NHL. But yet they are 8-4-1 on the road.

2013/03/23

Darrelle Revis (credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images), John Idzik (credit: NFL)

Green Lantern: ‘Cool Hand’ John Just What The Jets Need Right Now

If you know anything about how the Jets operated prior to this offseason, you are very much aware that Florham Park, N.J., was the NFL’s version of the Wild West. But then John Idzik rode into town on an old paint.

2013/03/18

Capellini: DiPietro Will Be Forever Defined By An Offer He Couldn’t Refuse

What Rick DiPietro did back in September 2006 was probably what any of us would have done. He secured his future. And anyone who blames him for that, regardless of how his career turned out, is just a fool.

2013/02/22

Darrelle Revis (credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images), Woody Johnson (credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Green Lantern: Revis Wants To Be A Jet, But Doesn’t Respect Pressure On The Jets

Darrelle Revis is a very special talent. No one will ever dispute that. But this idea that he deserves special treatment during a time of organizational chaos shows he’s not quite the team guy he wants you to believe he is.

2013/02/19

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

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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