With the fewest of points in the NHL and a playoff spot looking about as likely as a Mike Tyson presidency, the Islanders have not given fans a lot of reason to look forward to the second half of the season. But the progression of 20-year-old Kyle Okposo may be reason enough to keep Islanders fans optimistic about the future.
The rookie right winger scored two goals in a game for the first time in his NHL career, including the game-winner, in Thursday night’s 5-4 win over Atlanta. Okposo has a chance to extend his career-high goal-scoring streak to four games when the Islanders take on the Panthers tonight (7 p.m., MSG Plus, WMJC – 94.3 FM) at Nassau Coliseum.
“I think he hit a little bit of a wall after the first month where he was just happy to be here and not playing up to the potential that he has,” coach Scott Gordon said. “Really, I think we’re just starting to see the tip of the iceberg.”
The 2006 first-round draft pick is just 44 games into his NHL career, but Okposo said he thinks that what he’s learned in that small amount of time will lead to vast improvements in the latter parts of the season.
“I’m playing a little bit better now and with a little more confidence,” Okposo said. “We just want to challenge ourselves to get better everyday.”