Things certainly are looking up for the Islanders these days. They’re going for their fourth straight win and have a genuine goalie battle going on.
It’s almost enough to make you forget that they are still about another 10 consecutive wins from competing for a playoff spot.
Joey MacDonald, who has been out with a strained groin, is almost ready to return, but coach Scott Gordon said he wouldn’t play until the Isles go on the road later in the week, meaning Yann Danis will start again tonight when they host the Lightning.
“We both want to play,” Danis said after practice. “It’s a healthy competition that’s good for both of us.”
“I did what I had to do in the beginning of the year and the last six or seven games, the team’s been playing really well and limiting scoring chances,” MacDonald said. “We weren’t doing that a month ago.”
As for who the team’s top netminder is, Gordon said: “Our No. 1 goaltender is the guy who’s starting that night.”