The Islanders are skating with the big boys now, having entered the weekend in first place in the Atlantic Division — two points ahead of coach Barry Trotz’s former team, the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals — with one game in hand.
This was not the time and Barclays Center was not the place for a clunker against the reeling Avalanche, who came in tied for last place in the Central Division.
Well, a late wake-up call is better than no wake-up call, as the Islanders scored three goals in the final 25 minutes to claim a 4-3 overtime victory in front of a large matinee crowd of 14,216 on Captain America bobblehead giveaway day.