Islanders' end of season awards
John Tavares of the Islanders celebrates his game winning shoot out goal against Martin Biron of the Rangers. (Feb. 14, 2013) Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Isles are in the playoffs, but before they begin the postseason, here is our regular-season awards ceremony:
No. 91 has done what true NHL MVPs have done in taking not only his own game to new heights but inspiring his teammates to follow. "I've said it a lot that I can't do it alone," Tavares has said. His 28 goals and 19 assists heading into Saturday's games were top-15 numbers, but it's the playoff berth that really catapults Tavares from best on the Islanders to one of the best in the league. Runner-up: Evgeni Nabokov
It can be difficult to remember that Bailey is only a year older than Tavares and probably was not ready for the NHL game at 18 with a team very much in the rebuilding phase. He displayed some of his talent with a strong run to the finish last season, when it didn't mean much. This season he's again finishing strong, and it matters a whole lot more. Runner-up: Frans Nielsen
After the trials and tribulations involved in convincing Visnovsky to overcome his distaste for the business of the NHL (traded three times after agreeing to a no-trade clause, four-month lockout), no one possibly could have foreseen how quickly the 36-year-old defenseman would fit in and enjoy his time with the Isles. His biggest positives: a plus-12 rating in 35 games and helping to turn Thomas Hickey into a legitimate NHL defenseman. Runner-up: Brad Boyes
One of those "high-character'' guys Jack Capuano and Garth Snow always talk about, McDonald came in to wear the "C'' for Bridgeport and ends the season as a solid third-liner, a key contributor and the sort of consistent physical player who is welcome on any roster. His locker-room presence, light and humorous, has helped break the tension with a young, focused group.Runner-up: Casey Cizikas
There are a few to choose from, but we'll go with Nabokov taking a television timeout in the first period in Montreal on Feb. 21 to go down the bench and remind his teammates what they're capable of. The Isles were down 2-0, on their way to a 6-10-1 record and more of the same Isles play. Instead of standing in a corner of the zone, head down (as most goaltenders do during those timeouts), Nabokov saw what was needed. Hickey scored the OT winner and the Isles are 17-8-5 since.
Runner-up: Cizikas' goal to beat the Panthers on March 16 after blowing a 3-0 lead.
