Islanders' future looking brighter

The Islanders are likely to be spectators this postseason. Like last season, they probably will be reduced to playing the role of spoiler come April.

What the team has established, however, is that it should be taken seriously in 2011-12.

The Islanders have assembled a young core of goal-scorers in what has otherwise been a disappointing season.

With 14 games to play, the Islanders could finish with three 30-goal scorers and five players reaching 20.

After a breakout 30-goal season last year, Matt Moulson leads the team with 28 goals. Michael Grabner, who went from waiver-wire pickup to rookie of the year candidate in a matter of months, has 27. In his second season, John Tavares already has matched his rookie output of 24 goals with roughly four weeks to play.

Blake Comeau and PA Parenteau have set career highs with 19 and 15 goals, respectively.

"It just shows that we're for real," Moulson said. "We may not get praise from that many people, but I guess it would show the league that this is a good team on Long Island. We have a lot of good young players. A little bit of a wake-up call to the rest of the league.''

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Islanders haven't had at least three players score 30 goals since 1993-94, when they had four players -- Steve Thomas (42), Pierre Turgeon (38), Benoit Hogue (36) and Derek King (30) -- reach that benchmark.

The Islanders had six players score at least 20 goals that season.

"Especially with the way things started off, that would be pretty incredible," Tavares said.

And the best part about that scoring potential? The key components are sticking around.

Moulson and Parenteau signed contract extensions this season. Tavares' entry-level contract runs through the 2011-2012 season. Comeau -- who sat out Thursday's practice with neck spasms but is expected to play Friday night against Boston -- and Grabner are restricted free agents this summer, although the Islanders likely will lock up the latter to a longer-term deal.

"When you see great teams, they have three really great scoring lines and a good checking line," Moulson said. "Our team that's coming together now is three really solid lines that can put the pucks in the back of the net in any given game and carry the team. Pretty damn good fourth line, too.

"It's a really good mix going right now."