For the Islanders,these two areas are the most suspect. While our rebuild proceeds,and our forwards have become lethal scoring machines - the other side of the game lags. Unfortunately defensemen and goalies take much more time to mature and develop. Practically speaking that maturity may have to take place outside your own farm system, and on another team. Vancouver's vaunted offense could not break thru the Bruin defense. (This Cup final will be studied because of this for many years.)

Our goals against must be improved. Short of drafting Larsson (a long shot),even the draft of a great forward who is NHL ready will not impact this part of our game. Those who preach patience will need it not for just this up coming campaign, but for at least a couple more years if we are to achieve a 90+ points. The ones you let in count the same as the one's you score.

Charles Wang is in a spending mode. He realizes that we are at a climax and crisis in the very existence of this team in this location and perhaps even in this country. Time is running out!