Nate Thompson News

Never discount the ability of the Carvers Bay High defense to rise to the occasion.

Despite news that two more players were out with injuries, the Islanders ended a two-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the visiting Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller deflects the puck as the Islanders' Nate Thompson looks to connect on the rebound.

Agitators Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman are supposed to provide energy and spark for the New York Islanders, but on this night it worked the other way.

Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals tries to shoot the puck past Andy Sutton #25 of the New York Islanders .

Rookie John Tavares, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, finishes off a 4-3 shootout win with a goal to give the Isles their first win of the season.

"Obviously, you can't do it,'' said coach Scott Gordon, who spoke to the recently recalled enforcer about the penalty after the game.

In his career, he had taken 13 bids, and scored on just two. It was an aberration for a guy with the skills and creativity of Savard, and even coach Claude Julien wondered what was up.

Fisher leads Sens to victory Sean Bergenheim of the New York Islanders tries to get his stick on a loose puck as goaltender Pascal Leclaire and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators defend during a game at Scotiabank Place on October 8, 2009, in Ottawa.

There are two ways one can look at Saturday night's 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With record-setting heat reaching 33 C in Saskatoon onSaturday, the New York Islanders doused the Calgary Flames in NHL pre-season action at Credit Union Centre.

Edmonton defenceman Jake Taylor stops John Tavares of the New York islanders with a hard hit behind the oilers net during a National Hockey League pre-season game on Wednesday at Rexall Place.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, New York Islanders: What to Look for as Training Camp Opens As training camp opens, the Isles will look to improve upon their record from last season, when they finished with the worst record in the NHL.

I'm back from my month long hiatus. My last articles were about potential remaining free agents that the Islanders could still be targeting.

New York Rangers right winger Nikolai Zherdev and Detroit forward Jiri Hudler are among the 20 players who will enter salary arbitration, the NHL Players' Association said Sunday night.

The addition of desperately needed sniper John Tavares, the No. 1 draft pick, and free-agent goaltender Dwayne Roloson as a starting-caliber backup for Rick DiPietro are two moves that could improve the Islanders dramatically.

Tempting as it may be with the prospect of an anticipated packed house on hand at the Coliseum, I won't be at the Islanders' draft party Friday night to see the No.