The Islanders finally played a complete game. All it took was a visit from their arch-rivals, the return of Doug Weight from swine flu and an insurance goal from John Tavares.
After winning just one game in their first 10 matches — and none in regulation — the Isles outplayed, outworked and outperformed the Rangers at the Coliseum in a 3-1 win last night.
And they got a strong performance from Weight, who missed the previous three matches with the illness.
“It wasn’t scary at all,” Weight said of the diagnosis, which players from four NHL teams have contracted. “It wasn’t a big deal. I’m just glad to put it behind me. I wanted to make sure I didn’t get anyone else sick, my family or my teammates . . . I just want to help this team win.”
Weight got a clean bill of health from doctors on Sunday and started practicing, but it wasn’t until yesterday morning that the coaches said he could play last night. He showed no effects from the illness as he helped the Isles win in regulation for the first time this season.