Entering this season, the New York Islanders were not given much thought due to their franchise player John Tavares bolting for the Toronto Maple Leafs via free agency. Fans and opponents had come to respect and consider Tavares a staple within the Long Island community. His departure left the Islanders with a huge hole to fill.
Players and supporters of the New York Islanders have long accepted their place among the “others” in New York sports. On a weekend in which the World Series, Knicks, Rangers, Nets, Devils, Jets, and Giants all played, the Islanders were an afterthought.