Coaching matters. John Tavares matters more.
In the Islanders’ first game under Doug Weight, the Islanders captain provided the interim coach with the same brilliance he routinely showcased for Jack Capuano, scoring two goals in the team’s 3-0 win over the Stars on Thursday night at Barclays Center.
Tavares put the Islanders (18-17-8) in front with 6:29 left in the first period after a brilliant move and shot past Kari Lehtonen, then sealed the game with his seventh goal in the past four games on a breakaway with 3:06 left in the third period, which marked the first shorthanded goal of his career and 18th of the season.