New York Islanders: Best moments from the first half of the season

Isles blank he who shall not be named and Leafs

The Islanders had a trip North of the Border to play an excellent Toronto Maple Leafs team.

Instead of backing down and preparing for the New Year, the Isles went into Toronto and punched the Leafs right in the mouth.

It was not a cheap shot either. They looked them square in the eyes and punched them.

This is arguably the most beautiful, perfect 60 minutes of hockey I have ever watched. The Islanders could just do no wrong.

The return to the Coliseum was huge. It was a huge bonding moment for this team. However, I would argue that playing the Maple Leafs is just as big. This was a huge team win.

Not that I want to talk about John Tavares, but his first game vs his former team since leaving in July was and still is a massive storyline.

I would have been content and happy if the Islanders lost the hockey game, but still blanked at least Tavares.

However, we got a wonderful treat.

The Islanders decided to one up blanking Tavares by blanking his entire team.

The Isles see their new rivals from the North two more times in the second half of the season too, both of those games will be interesting.

But, when this late December game went final, it was big-time feels. It had to make this list for best moments from the first half of the Islanders’ season.

In the second half of the season, there will be plenty of more exciting moments. There will hopefully be plenty of more thrilling wins.

But, that is all in the future. From what we have seen from the first half of this year, this might be a pretty good Islanders team.

Maybe the list of the best moments of the second half of the year include moments from the playoffs.

What were some of your favorite moments from the first half of the Islanders’ season?