Isles Top Red Wings in a Game That's So Them

There are only two major storylines involving the New York Islanders this season, and one of them's already been written.

The club's bid on a property out at Belmont Park was accepted, which means they'll finally be able to build a new home that's actually made for hockey in the 21st century.

Better yet, they'll be doing it the right way: private money.

 

The other is whether John Tavares is gonna re-sign with the team.

Confirmation they'll be moving into a state-of-the-art facility is definitely a positive factor:

 

Whoa. Is there a cliche Tavares didn't hit? It's the mark of a true veteran.

Anyway, Cal Clutterbuck cut through the PR-speak to clarify that this development is indeed significant for keeping Tavares on Long Island. Given that he's got a five-year deal with the Isles, dude's got a vested interest in Tavares' decision.

The veteran blueliner also played a key role in what could be called a season-defining victory over the Detroit Red Wings. All he had to do was get chopped:

 

Like Tavares, Clutterbuck's a seasoned veteran, too.

So, yes, Tyler Bertuzzi -- son of Todd, who lives in infamy over a certain whack in Denver -- knew what body part isn't protected by padding, and surely that stung, but Clutterbuck's reaction still looked like an okey-doke.

Maybe Bertuzzi thought he could afford the penalty. The Red Wings had a 5-2 lead.

 

Except the ref gave him a major instead. Expect Clutterbuck to be invited to the next Oscar ceremony.

The Isles are horrific on D and not much better between the pipes, but dudes can score. And they did:

 

So all the Isles had to do was protect a one-goal lead for less than two minutes.

But they're truly lousy in their own end. Mike Green leveled it for Detroit with 29 ticks remaining.

Suffice to say New York won it in overtime on Brock Nelson's snipe to complete his hatter.

He wasn't the only hero of note in this 7-6 overtime win:

 

The Isles are a playoff contender on half the rink, and incredibly, they're only one point outta the second wild card slot.

It remains to be seen if their other half of the rink's gonna weigh in enough to cover that slim difference.