Saturday March 3

Considering 8 games were played last night not much was happening around the league for Former Islanders. Of those 8 games FIs played roles in only 3. Here's the breakdown.

• One-time goaltending prospect Stephen Valiquette won his first game of the season for the New York Rangers in their 3-2 SO win over the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. Awarded the Second Star of the Game Valiquette made 25 saves on 27 shots and stopped 2 of 4 in the shootout. Not too many goaltenders will win with only 50% of shots stopped in the shootout frame but Valiquette's teammates pulled off the win. This is only the 4th career win for Valiquette in four seasons spanning a meager 11 games played and 5 starts.
• The Panthers' Olli Jokinen just keeps rolling with his 30th goal of the season. In fact this is his second straight 30+ goal season and third in his last four years. At his current pace he would fall one goal short of his career high of 38. In fact, Jokinen's 130 goals in the last 4 seasons is tops among FIs.
• In Edmonton things are falling apart and fast. An already depleted team is coping with the exile of "Captain Canada" Ryan Smyth while the team ups its losing streak to 4 games. This comes at the benefit of the Calgary and two FIs playing roles in last night's 4-2 win for the Flames at the Rexall Center. Toughman Eric Godard tallied his first assist and point of the season on a goal by Stephane Yelle. In fifteen games this year Godard's 1 point almost exceeds expectation for a player who averages over 51 penalty minutes for ever goal or assist he scores. As well, Roman Hamrlik had an assist on the final goal of the night. With 29 points he is second among defenseman on the Flames and has 4 assists in his last 4 games.

Another 8 games are going to be played today so keep your eyes open for all the Former Islander talent working hard as the season begins its frantic and exciting culmination.