Description: Islanders forward Brad Boyes had a goal and two assists Thursday against Toronto.
Insight: Boyes had zero goals and five assists over his previous 13 games after posting eight goals and 26 points over his first 30 games, but he revived his production Thursday night.
Description: Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov will start Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Insight: Nabokov has been one of the hottest goaltenders in the NHL since late March and has won eight of his last 11 starts. He is 5-0-2 with a 1.26 GAA and .948 SV% in April.
Description: Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov outdueled Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask with 30 saves on 31 shots in a 2-1 win Thursday night at Boston.
Insight: Nabokov has been on fire since shutting out Florida on March 24, and he is a big reason why the Isles are making a playoff push. Over his last nine starts, he is 7-1-1 with a 1.43 GAA and a .945 SV%.
Description: Islanders forward Josh Bailey continued his hot April with two goals and three SOG Thursday against Boston.
Insight: Bailey scored both of New York's goals Thursday in a 2-1 win. The former first-round pick has four goals and seven points in six games this month.
Description: Islanders forward Josh Bailey has tallied a point in all four games this month.
Insight: Bailey extended the streak with a goal and an assist Saturday against the Lightning. The former first-rounder has seven goals and 14 points this season.
Description: Kevin Poulin will start in net for the Islanders Tuesday against the Jets.
Insight: Poulin has a 3.88 GAA in three appearances this season. Look for Evgeni Nabokov (17-11-3, 2.72 GAA) to be back between the pipes Thursday at Washington.
Description: Colin McDonald led the Islanders with two goals Thursday night in a win over Philadelphia.
Insight: It was a very eventful night for the New York right wing. First, McDonald endured a five minute stint in the penalty box after fighting with Scott Hartnell in the first period. Later he tied the game with a goal midway through the third period. And then just a few minutes after that, McDonald potted another goal to give the Islanders their first lead. Prior to Thursday, McDonald had been held scoreless in five consecutive outings.
Description: Islanders center John Tavares scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over Washington Tuesday night.
Insight: Aside from the -9, Tavares has been a fantasy stud all season. He had four goals and 11 points over seven games in January and nine goals and 14 points over 14 games in February and has produced seven goals and 10 points over 12 games this month.
Description: Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov blanked Florida Sunday for his third shutout of the season.
Insight: He racked up 26 saves in the victory. Prior to Sunday, Nabokov had given up a combined 10 goals over his previous three outings. Nabokov's inconsistency makes him a tough player to own in fantasy.
Description: Islanders netminder Evgeni Nabokov will get the night off Thursday while Kevin Poulin gets the start in net.
Insight: Nabokov has to deal with one of the NHL's worst defenses so he has been hit-or-miss this season (13-9-3, 2.93 GAA, 2 SO). Poulin is 0-1 with a 3.03 GAA in two appearances.
Description: Islander winger David Ullstrom is on injured reserve and miss at least 3-4 weeks due to a strained groin.
Insight: Ullstrom has only produces five points this season with low statistics in all the other categories and has no fantasy value even when healthy.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner has a shoulder injury and has no timetable for a return. He'll be re-evaluated in 7-10 days, according to the Islanders' Twitter account.
Insight: Grabner started off March strong with a goal in three straight games after putting up just four points in all of February. Fantasy owners in average-sized leagues shouldn't hesitate to drop him.
Description: Islanders center John Tavares had a pair of goals Saturday to help New York knock off Washington.
Insight: Tavares is a bona fide star with the stats to back it up. He has 16 goals on 99 SOG and 13 assists in 25 games, numbers that extrapolate to 52 goals, 325 SOG and 42 assists in an 82-game season.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner has scored a goal in three straight games.
Insight: Grabner had a quiet month of February but he is off to a great start in March and now has 10 goals in 24 games. However, his assists are lacking as usual; he has three.
Description: Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov made 35 saves in 61 minutes Thursday against the Rangers but he didn't get much offensive support in a 2-1 overtime loss.
Insight: Nabokov hasn't had a great season -- he came into Thursday's game with a .902 SV% and 2.97 GAA -- but it isn't entirely his fault. New York has one of the NHL's worst defenses with 64 even-strength goals against coming into Thursday.
Description: Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky won't play Tuesday due to personal reasons, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.
Insight: Visnovsky is headed back to Slovakia to tend to a family tragedy. He's scheduled to return to the team by the weekend. The veteran has six points and 20 SOG in 12 games this season.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner scored a goal Sunday against the Senators.
Insight: Grabner had four goals and six points in his first six games but he only has five over his last 16. With 11 points through 22 games, he's playing closer to his 2011-12 pace of 32 points in 78 games than 2010-11 (52 in 76 games).
Description: Islanders forward Brad Boyes scored his fifth goal of the season with three SOG Sunday against Ottawa.
Insight: Boyes has stepped into former Islander P.A. Parenteau's spot on the team's top line after coming over from Buffalo last summer. He has five goals and 16 points through 22 games after putting up just 23 in 65 games last season.
Description: Rick DiPietro's demotion to the minors will allow Kevin Poulin to pick up a start in net Sunday night for the Islanders.
Insight: Poulin will take on the Hurricanes in his first appearance of the season. We don't have high hopes for his fantasy value since Evgeni Nabokov has been a workhorse and is coming off a shutout.
Description: Islanders blueliner Mark Streit had a goal and two points with three SOG, two PIM and a plus-1 Saturday against the Sabres.
Insight: Streit's points have declined in his last three healthy seasons, from 62 in 2007-08 to 47 in 2011-12. With 10 points through 18 games, he's on pace for 45 points per 82 games, but his minus-9 (after minus-27 in 2011-12) drags down his value.
Insight: Nabokov was already the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender and the Islanders affirmed that by sending down Rick DiPietro to the minors on Saturday afternoon. The veteran has won two straight starts and four of the past five. Unfortunately, he gave up seven goals in his one loss so his numbers do not reflect his recent success.
Description: So long, Rick. The Islanders sent goalie Rick DiPietro packing Friday by placing him on waivers.
Insight: DiPietro has only been given three starts this season, losing all three. It looks like the 31-year-old (and owner of one of the most absurd contracts in all of sports) is headed to the minors to play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Unless you're competing in an AHL fantasy league (do those actually exist?), DiPietro won't be useful in any fantasy formats.
Description: Islanders left wing Matt Moulson had two goals on six shots Thursday against the Canadiens.
Insight: Moulson was a minus-4 with zero points over his last two games following a four-point effort on Saturday. Moulson is producing points at the best pace of his career to offset a minus rating and lack of PIM.
Description: New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic scored his team's only goal Tuesday against Craig Anderson and the Senators. He finished with six SOG.
Insight: Hamonic is a decent fantasy defenseman has averaged 25 points with 121 SOG the last two seasons. He has two goals and seven points with 28 SOG through 16 games but his minus-9 hurts his fantasy value.
Description: The Islanders will start Rick DiPietro in net for just the third time this season Tuesday versus Ottawa.
Insight: DiPietro is signed with the Islanders for what seems like an eternity, but injuries have reduced him to a backup goaltender role behind Evgeni Nabokov.
Description: Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov had a tough day at the office Monday against the Flyers. The veteran let in seven goals on just 32 shots.
Insight: That's the most goals Nabokov has allowed in a game since November 26, 2005 against the Red Wings. For some reason, the Islanders opted not to pull him so Nabokov remained on the ice for all 60 minutes. He'll try for better luck Tuesday against the Senators.
Description: Islanders defenseman Matt Carkner could return from injured reserve in time for Monday afternoon's game against Philadelphia. He's been dealing with a lower body injury
Insight: Carkner offers almost no offense and has little fantasy value above his fighting ability.
Description: New York center John Tavares registered his fourth career hat trick Saturday in a win against the Devils.
Insight: He added an assist for good measure. Tavares has now scored a goal in each of his last five games. Tavares' 11 goals ties him with Buffalo's Thomas Vanek for the league lead.
Description: Islanders center John Tavares netted a goal in the second period before scoring the game-winner in a shootout against the Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Insight: Tavares is playing out of his mind right now. He's scored a goal in each of his last four games and is now tied for sixth in the NHL with eight goals on the season. In fantasy, you won't find many better options than Tavares.
Description: New York left wing Matt Moulson notched a pair of goals Monday in a loss to Carolina.
Insight: Moulson also had an assist. That raises the forward's season point total to 13. If this were an 82-game season Moulson would be on pace for almost 89 points. That's 20 higher than the 69 points he posted during the 2011-12 campaign.
Description: Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky could be able to play by Saturday after arriving in the United States Wednesday. He'll take a physical Thursday, according to Newsday.
Insight: Visnovsky, who was a top-30 fantasy defenseman last season, wanted to finish the season in the KHL instead of coming back to the Islanders but the KHL rejected his contract to honor an agreement with the NHL. Fantasy owners should grab him.
Description: The Bruins have traded goaltender Tim Thomas to the New York Islanders for a conditional second-round draft pick. SOURCE: Arthur Staple, Newsday
Insight: Thomas may never play a game for the Isles. The team needed his contract to be over the salary cap floor by Friday. Boston will only receive the draft pick if Thomas plays at least one game for the Islanders. According to Staple, the Islanders are unlikely to toll Thomas' contract next season since they want flexibility.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner had one goal on three shots Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
Insight: With five goals on 27 shots in nine games, Grabner appears ready to put 2011-12 behind him (20 goals on 174 in 78 games) and get back to the way he played in 2010-11 (34 goals on 228 shots in 76 games).
Description: New York Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov will make his eighth start in nine games when his team takes on Pittsburgh Tuesday.
Insight: Nabokov has been mediocre with a 2.99 GAA but strong scoring by the Islanders has helped him start out 4-2-1. Backup Rick DiPietro has just one start on the season, and it came back on Jan. 25.
Description: Islanders center Frans Nielsen distributed a pair of assists Thursday in an overtime win against New Jersey.
Insight: Nielsen has missed all 11 of his shots on goal this season but he's made up for it by producing a team-high seven assists. Five of those assists have come over his last three games.
Description: New York center John Tavares doubled his season goal total by finding the net twice Thursday in a win over the Devils.
Insight: Tavares also assisted the game-winner to Brad Boyes in overtime. He's already at 11 points for the season, which ties him with Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for sixth in the NHL.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner scored his fourth goal of the season Tuesday versus Pittsburgh.
Insight: Grabner has six points in six games. He's looking more like the player that posted 52 points (34 G, 18 A) in 76 games two years ago than the one who had just 32 in 78 last season.
Description: Islanders center John Tavares scored his second goal of the season Tuesday versus the Penguins.
Insight: His first came Sunday at Winnipeg. Tavares also has six assists and 16 shots on goal in six games. Those are impressive numbers that could get even better once he starts matching last season's SOG pace (3.5 per game).
Description: Islanders forward Matt Moulson had a goal and an assist Tuesday to help New York beat Pittsburgh.
Insight: Moulson has increased his points from 48 to 53 to 69 the last three seasons while playing all 82 games in each of them. He already has seven (3 G, 4 A) in six games.
Description: New York Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov will start Tuesday against the Penguins.
Insight: Nabokov (2-1-1, 3.49 GAA, .894 SV%) has started four games to Rick DiPietro's one this season. Nabokov has allowed nine goals over his last two games and is a poor play Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
Description: New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is questionable for Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh with a sprained ankle he suffered in the Islanders' 5-4 overtime loss to Winnipeg on Sunday night.
Insight: Hamonic has a goal and two assists in the first five games while paired with Andrew MacDonald. Hamonic scored 24 points, with 73 penalty minutes and 124 shots on goal last season, good enough to make him a top-50 fantasy defenseman.
Description: New York Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov will start Sunday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Insight: After Sunday, Nabokov (2-1, 3.02 GAA, .907 SV%) will have started four games to Rick DiPietro's one. The Islanders seem to have finally figured out how to keep DiPietro healthy -- play him as little as possible.
Description: Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is expected to rejoin the team in "roughly two weeks," according to his agent. Visnovsky's family is still trying to resolve his unspecified health issue. SOURCE: Newsday
Insight: Visnovsky, who was a top-30 fantasy defenseman last season, wanted to finish the season in the KHL instead of coming back to the Islanders but the KHL rejected his contract to honor an agreement with the NHL. At least we know he is coming back to the Islanders at some point instead of being out indefinitely.
Description: The KHL has rejected Lubomir Visnovsky's contract with HC Slovan. The KHL has an agreement with the NHL to honor each other's contracts. SOURCE: Yahoo! Sports
Insight: Visnovsky wants to finish the season in the KHL instead of coming back to the Islanders. The team has suspended him for failing to report to training camp and could eventually carry the remaining year on his contract over to next season if the situation drags on long enough. Visnovsky was a top-30 fantasy defenseman last season and we expect he'll return to the team so he can become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer.
Description: The New York Islanders suspended Josh Bailey and Jesse Joensuu on Tuesday. Both players were injured while playing overseas during the lockout. will miss at least 2-4 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.
Insight: Bailey will miss at least 2-4 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. He posted 32 points last season (13 G, 19 A), but a poor plus-minus rating and very little power play scoring make him a weak fantasy option even when healthy. Joensuu is dealing with a groin injury; the winger didn't play in the NHL last season.
Description: New York Islanders center Josh Bailey will miss at least 2-4 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.
Insight: Bailey posted 32 points last season (13 G, 19 A), but a poor plus-minus rating and very little power play scoring make him a weak fantasy option even when healthy.
Description: Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky did not report to training camp on Monday due to "personal reasons," his agent said. SOURCE: ESPNNewYork.com
Insight: Visnovsky wants to finish the season in the KHL the league has an agreement with the NHL to honor each other's contracts. "The KHL has repeatedly said that they will not permit him to play, so I guess we will have to see what happens," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. Visnovsky was a top-30 fantasy defenseman last season.
Description: Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic's back-to-back with Bridgeport on Friday and Saturday was his first game action since suffering a concussion on Dec. 2. He went right to New York's first day of training camp Sunday. SOURCE: Newsday
Insight: Hamonic scored 24 points, spent 73 minutes in the penalty box and took 124 shots on goal last season, good enough to make him a top-50 fantasy defenseman.
Description: Islanders winger Kyle Okposo joined New York's top line with Matt Moulson and John Tavares on the first day of training camp. Coach Jack Capuano acknowledged there was meaning behind putting Okposo on that line. SOURCE: Newsday
Insight: "You look at some of the success they had as a line last (season), this is something we wanted to look at right away," Capuano said. "We're not going to waste a whole lot of time experimenting. Okposo skated with Tavares and Moulson 10.74 percent of the time last season, according to leftwinglock.com, and scored 45 points (24 G, 21 A), but the Islanders need a replacement for P.A. Parenteau, who skated with the top line 16.4 percent of the time last season and scored 67 points (18 G, 49 A) but has signed with Colorado. Look for Okposo to get a fantasy boost playing with the team's top players.
Description: Islanders winger Michael Grabner said he's fully healed from the abdominal tear he suffered in Austria back in November. SOURCE: Newsday
Insight: With 32 points, Grabner experienced a 20-point dip last season despite playing 78 games. He also had a +/- of -18 and just 174 SOG. He's expected to play on the Islanders' second line.
Description: The Islanders booked a flight for Lubomir Visnovsky on Saturday but the defenseman wasn't on it. SOURCE: Arthur Staple, Newsday
Insight: Visnovsky wants to finish the season in the KHL but the NHL and KHL have an agreement to honor each other's contracts. Visnovsky filed a grievance after he was acquired by New York from Anaheim, saying his no-trade clause should have been in effect, but an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Islanders, according to Mike Brehm of USA Today. However, his agent said the defenseman isn't singling out the Islanders with his KHL decision.
Description: Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky won't be returning to the Islanders for the 2012-13 NHL season. He's decided to spend the rest of the year in the KHL.
Insight: Visnovsky was traded to New York this offseason after spending two and a half seasons in Anaheim. It's unknown if Visnovsky plans on staying in the KHL long term or if he's planning on coming back to the NHL after this season.
