When does this team play again? Right now it feels like the season hasn’t even started yet. Whoever comes up with the schedules in Toronto needs to look at things like this and see how little sense they make.

Why should I have to wait a week to watch my favorite team play? It’s bad enough I’m a Jets fan and have to wait a week for another embarrassing failure to come across the television set. While it’s obvious that hockey is a sport that’s tough on the body and there is a long season ahead of us for all the fans, coaches and players, a game a week for almost three weeks is insane. That just doesn’t work for me.

Anyway, two days until the Hurricanes come to town. The way they have played this season, the Isles can’t afford to play games in the defensive end. Four players on the ‘Canes, Rod Brind’amour, Justin Williams, Eric Staal and Corey Stillman are averaging a point a game so far this season. That’s some scary stuff. Then add in the fact that Matt Cullen seems to be rejuvenated since he was brought back to the team in the offseason and Cam Ward has turned back the clock to his 2006 playoff days, and again, it’s obvious this team isn’t a joke.

In order for the Islanders to come out with two points against Carolina, they have to continue to do all the little things that have gotten them wins this season. That means skating in the corners, establishing a forecheck and taking advantage on the powerplay. If they can do that, Carolina’s offensive prowess won’t mean a thing. On the other hand, if the Islanders defense continues to induce turnovers and commit penalties that stem from being lazy and not keeping their legs moving, the Canes are going to have a field day.

Also, guys like Miro Satan, who played awesome last week against (who was that game against? It feels like a month ago!) the Devils and Sean Bergenheim need to keep the energy up and make sure they get chances. When that line with them and Josef Vasicek is going strong, I think it changes the entire dynamic of the team. Every expects Satan to get going eventually, but if he stays strong and Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie, who are on different lines as of now, play well, it’s going to be extremely difficult for opposing defenses to plan against that.