Two weeks ago, the Islanders had lost their first six games of the season and Jeff Tambellini couldn’t crack the lineup.
How quickly things change.
The Isles won their third straight game last night, a 5-0 victory over the Sabres that was their most convincing of the year, and Tambellini notched his first NHL hat trick.
“With the way the month started, to finish .500, with three big wins against teams at the top of the conference, demonstrates that guys want it,” said Martin Biron, who made 38 saves for his first win as an Islander in front of a Coliseum crowd announced at 8,889, many of whom apparently chose to dress as empty seats for Halloween. “We found the way we want to play.”
That’s been the case in the last three outings, wins over the Rangers, Capitals and Sabres, who had won all four of their road games and eight of nine overall.
Last night, Biron got plenty of help, mostly from Tambellini, who has scored five goals in his past four games.
“It’s the best game I’ve ever played,” said Tambellini, who was playing in front of his father, Steve, a former Islander and current Edmonton general manager. “I wasn’t sure he was gonna make it. It was special to have him in the building.”
Tambellini certainly has been more productive lately after sitting for five straight earlier in the year. Tambellini said he isn’t surprised by his sudden success.
“This is the way I usually play,” Tambellini said. “I felt strong in the preseason and we had a numbers game at the beginning of the season. I had to wait my turn.”
With their recent reversal of fortune, the Isles have entered the early playoff mix, something that seemed a longshot just a week ago.