ESPN NHL

The New York Islanders started the season off well with a 7-3-2-0 record. Then because of the poor play of the team's two superstars Michael Peca and Alexei Yashin the team went into the tank until recently.

In the NHL, a team can't have its two best players playing badly, and that's what was keeping them down. After that quick start, the Islanders fell to 9-13-2-0, but have bounced back because of the recent great play of Yashin and Peca.

Before losing to the Flyers on Saturday, the Islanders went 4-1-0-1 thanks to Yashin's five points during that span. Also, Peca is playing outstanding defense despite his lack of goal scoring. He's playing more aggressively and is being extremely physical against opposing offensive teams. When those two players are at their best this is a very difficult team to beat.

The return of Dave Scatchard from injury also can't be discounted. Since his return the team is scoring short-handed goals and are playing markedly better hockey. In fact when he's played this season, the Islanders are 6-4-1-0.

Defensively, the team does have some problems. The players need to do a better job competing in the neutral zone; right now they're making bad decisions. They're giving the puck up a lot and are giving up chances when they are outnumbered three to two and two to one. That will kill a team in the NHL.

But with Scatchard, Yashin and Peca playing well, the Islanders have become the team the experts thought they would. It's definitely a playoff team and a dangerous one because these players have the ability to beat any team in the East.

---

Melrose note: This week's theme is players who've come into their own because of injuries on their team. After looking at players around the NHL, I was most impressed by the players on the Red Wings. So this week's forwards and defenseman are all Red Wings.

	Woolley

Defensemen
Jason Woolley, Detroit Red Wings: With Derian Hatcher and Chris Chelios out for the Red Wings the thought was that Niklas Lidstrom would carry this team. But that hasn't been the case at all. Lidstrom's numbers have been down in minutes per game and points are down so far this season, while Woolley has been plus 19 so far. In his 13th season, he's proving that defenseman get better the longer they play. He's on top of his game right now.

Mathieu Schneider: With the aforementioned injuries, Schneider has been great. This season he's become the go to guy on the power play. I've always loved the way he's played and thought he was an underrated defenseman in the league. He's played well wherever he's been, but he's one of those guys who have been traded a few times, which stops him from being noticed. But all that tells me is that a lot of teams have wanted him throughout his career. Right now he's playing very well and with confidence. He's moving the puck and making adjustments that help the Wings win.

Forwards
Pavel Datsyuk: This guy is playing unbelievably! He had the tying goal against the Sharks and every night he's making a positive on-ice impact. He's tied for first in goals (19) and points (40) and is tied for ninth in assists (21). He's a humble player, but he's playing extremely well in place of Steve Yzerman. The great part of Datsyuk's game is that it keeps getting better.

Kris Draper: Draper's career high for goals in a season is 15 and he already has 13 this season. Not only is he going to pass that career mark & he's going to smash it. Draper is a fine player who is finally playing in some offensive situations that he's never played in before. He's making the best of the Red Wings' bad situation.

Henrik Zetterberg: He's been out hurt with a broken leg and has come back playing very well. He's a great example of why Detroit is a special team. Zetterberg was picked 210th by the Red Wings and has been more than a bargain since he's been in Detroit. For Detroit to have a guy like that when no one else seems able to is remarkable.

Goaltender
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames: The Flames are playing great and are probably the biggest surprise in the NHL. It's astonishing that this team has been successful despite Roman Turek's absence due to injury. Calgary traded for Kiprusoff and he's been awesome this season. He didn't receive a chance in San Jose behind two goalies that the Sharks liked better. He probably would have done the same thing in San Jose if given the chance. He's first in GAA (1.52) and save percentage (.937) in the NHL.

---

Plus: Good celebrations
When I think of good celebrations, I think of Theo Fleury sliding on the ice in 1991 after scoring the winning goal in overtime in Game 6 of the 1991 Smythe Division semifinals. I think of the Los Angeles Kings celebrating when they scored five goals to come from behind and defeat Edmonton in "The Miracle on Manchester". Those celebrations were born of passion, enthusiasm and excitement for a special moment. That's what sports are supposed to be about and that's what people want to see --players caring.
Minus: Bad celebrations
I have no tolerance when celebrations are staged and set up beforehand. It sucks when a celebration is done merely to get a players face in the newspapers on SportsCenter. Luckily it'll never happen in hockey because of the physical price a player would pay. Unlike other sports where the punishment is merely monetary, in hockey it's physical.

---

Barry --
Would switching bench sides bring more goals? Instead of having the benches at the offensive goal only in the 2nd period, would doing it 1st and 3rd bring more offense? I don't know if more goals are scored in the 2nd period, but it seems that it would allow the offense to change lines more easily and keep the pressure on the opposition's defense.
-- Dan, San Antonio, TX

Dan, It's great to see fans thinking about ways to help improve the game! To answer your question, I don't think the bench change would help increase offense. But if you're looking for good ideas to increase offense, the NHL is investigating the widening of the blue line to increase scoring. Theoretically that should give a lot more room in the neutral zone to make passes and increase scoring. I'm intrigued by this innovative idea that maintains the integrity of the game and hope it works. As with any new rule, it will be tried in the Canadian rinks of the American Hockey League over the next few weeks.

I have a few of my own ideas for ways to increase scoring. I think the game should return to serving out two-minute minors regardless of if a team scores. This was changed in the 1950s because the Montreal Canadians would score three or four times during a two-minute minor, but its time for its return. I'd also like to see the goals go back three feet where they were before. Time has proven that moving the goals up three feet didn't increase scoring. Finally, I'd like the limits taken off the amount of hook that can be put on a stick. Goaltenders have enough protection that they no longer have to worry about a puck hurting them.

---

Hey, Barry:
Hockey is completely dead here in Chicago. Absolutely no one cares anymore, and that includes me, and I've loved hockey my entire life. Is there any hope for this franchise? Does the NHL realize the damage the Wirtz family has done to the league overall by destroying what was once one of the strongest franchises?
-- Joe, Ill.

Joe, thanks for the question. Let me assure you that no one is happy with what's going on in Chicago. This team has tried to make the correct moves, but have been plagued by mismanagement. Sadly, the fans in Chicago are paying the price for those mistakes. This can be a great hockey city again with the right management and all of us who love hockey hope that will happen soon.

But in fairness, this isn't a case of a team tanking it. The players management has signed haven't fit their scheme, were on the backside of their careers or just had too much baggage. It's a shame that the Blackhawks have drafted higher than the Red Wings for the past ten years and have no superstars to account for it. It's also a sign that its time for new management in the front office.

Barry Melrose, a former NHL defenseman and coach, is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He'll answer selected questions submitted to his e-mail bag each week. Also, click here to send Barry a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.