As a result, I've been watching more hockey than I normally would. I thought I'd be watching Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire around this time of year; instead I'm watching John Tavares, Michael Grabner and the man of the hour, Matt Moulson.
In Saturday night's surprising 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars, Moulson became the first NHL player this season to score four times in a single game. It was the hat trick plus one, and the Isles needed each and every one of Moulson's timely scores.
Moulson scored twice in the first period as the Isles jumped out to (what looked to be) a comfortable 2-0 lead. Both of his goals were reactionary in front of the net, which is typical for No. 26. Moulson is the best Islander in front of the net since the one-dimensional Mark Parrish. Both goals were assisted by Tavares, New York's all-around star.
Newbie Dylan Reese put the Isles ahead 3-0 in the second, but the Stars shot back with three shocking goals in a very short period of time. Rick DiPietro was again shaky in net, but the Islander defensemen failed to handle their responsibilities during the Stars' second period rampage. Ricky was at fault, but not completely to blame.
Nevertheless, the score wasn't tied for long.
Moulson struck again, completing his hat trick within the first two periods of the contest. The Islanders took a 4-3 lead, and believe it or not, Moulson wasn't ready to pump the brakes.
After a phenomenal, long lead pass by captain Mark Streit, Moulson streaked ahead for a one-on-one with Dallas' struggling goaltender, Andrew Raycroft.
On this particular occasion, Raycroft prevailed as Moulson attempted a simple, quick wrister to the goaltender's left. Raycroft was up to the task, and Moulson was denied his opportunity to become the first player this season to score four times in a game.
But given the flow of the game, particularly that of the second period, I had a distinct feeling that Moulson would get another quality chance to net number four.
And, for once, I was right.
Seventeen minutes and 10 seconds into the 2nd, P.A. Parenteau assisted Moulson on his incredible fourth goal of the evening. It was a magical night for Matt Moulson who was magnificent in the Isles' momentum-maintaining win.
So on the four-game road trip, Jack Capuano's squad picked up seven out of a possible eight points. Hopefully they'll be able to convert this momentum into a legitimate shot at one of the bottom playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
In order for the Islanders to sustain their recent success, their "A" line of Tavares, Moulson and Parenteau will have to continue its domination, and their defensive pairings need to display better control of the puck, particularly in the third period.
Capuano's No. 1 goalie, Al Montoya, came on for the save after DiPietro had to leave with a groin injury. It certainly seemed like Montoya had more saves in the third period than Ricky had in the first two combined.
All things considered, only time will tell if this Islanders team is a playoff contender finally getting hot, or a pretender skating through a lucky road run.
I hope they're for real.
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