With two straight wins, points in their last four games and a record of 5-2-4 in their previous 11, the Islanders seem to be turning their season around. Their recent success is largely due to the play of Oliver Wahlstrom, Kieffer Bellows and Noah Dobson.

Wahlstrom was the Islanders’ second-most productive forward in December, recording 10 points in his last nine games. Wahlstrom has improved his game mightily since last season. He is no longer just scoring goals, as his last six points have been assists. He’s making plays, winning one-on-one battles and has been one of the Islanders’ most consistent players this season.

Dobson has arguably been the Islanders’ MVP this season. Dobson is 21 years old and is only starting to show a glimpse of his true potential. At 6’4”, Dobson has a frame large enough to be physical as well as the speed, skill, and talent to move effortlessly up the ice and make plays.

Dobson has rounded out his game for the Islanders. He has nine assists on the season, good for third-best on the team. Even more impressive, Dobson has five goals in his last eleven games.

These goals are incredibly clutch goals for the Islanders. He scored with 2.3 seconds left to force overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 5. He also scored the go-ahead goal against the Nashville Predators on Dec. 9 and added another game-tying goal in the team’s subsequent game against the New Jersey Devils. Most recently, he scored the overtime winner against the Edmonton Oilers on New Year’s Day. Dobson is one of the Islanders’ most improved players this season and is looking to be a staple on the Islanders’ blue line for years to come.

Kieffer Bellows, who was the Islanders’ 16th overall pick in 2016, has struggled to cement himself as a regular in Barry Trotz’s lineup, until now. Trotz recently admitted that he might keep Bellows in the lineup when the Islanders are fully healthy. That’s because Bellows has three goals and four assists in his last nine games. Bellows’ nifty hands and quick release woke up a dormant Islanders’ offense. His youth is refreshing, and he has made a persuasive argument to be a regular in the Islanders’ lineup.

Wahlstrom, Dobson, and Bellows are the Islanders’ future. While Trotz prefers veterans in his lineup, he’s getting wins when the young guns take over. Perhaps they’re the key to getting back into the playoffs and competing for a Stanley Cup.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.