Sorry to say, the difference was the shot Yann Danis flubbed to allow Scott Gomez an easy goal. The Islanders' lack of firepower made sure they never got that one back, and a late empty-netter by Sjostrom was just stat padding.

Strangely, the Garden crowd sounded quiet with the lead -- as if they came for a boo-fest and a coach or GM's head, not a victory. Does this postpone the agony for those wanting regime change at the Garden? More on the game, with links among the other chatty bloggers on the 'morrow.