The New York Islanders sit atop the Metropolitan Division as they start their 9 day all-star and league mandated bye-week break. Think about this for a minute. They sit ATOP (read First Place) in the Metro.

Did you think for a second when the season started that the Islanders would be where they are with everything that happened? I know I didn't.

Personally, I thought at best, the Isles would maybe sneak into a wild card spot - but yet, here they are holding their own and playing truly inspired hockey for head coach Barry Trotz. I know I am loving this, and I bet the team and everyone around them are as well.

I also have to sneak in here that The Isles Faithful Podcast is now on Youtube! I have a few plans for this with some live video mini-podcasts and behind the scenes things - but for now all of our content is available there as well. Check out the Channel Here and please like and subscribe!

Take this awesome clip of Kevin Weekes on NHL Network's Power Rankings as an example:

Just look around the league - theres been plenty of news stories from media outlets near and far praising what's happening on Long Island (and Brooklyn).

https://www.nhl.com/video/nhl-tonight-islanders-changes/t-277350912/c-65151303?tcid=tw_video_content_id

It all centers around Barry Trotz, too - a sure fire lock at this point for the NHL's Jack Adams coach of the year award.

But it doesn't just end there! The Isles are SECOND in the Eastern Conference, 13 points back of Tampa, three ahead of Washington, four ahead of Columbus, four of Boston and five of Pittsburgh. Blown away by all of this, I talked about on Twitter and in this episode that I am not really sure how to feel by all of this.

This week's episode I have Rob Taub (@RTaub_) stop by again to talk about everything thats transpired since Episode 20. Also, we talk about the Isles strong play, what they can improve and what certain players are doing or are not doing. We go into the power play (or lack thereof) and even talk about this awesome goaltending duo (Lehner #1 in the league, Greiss #7).

Rob and I also talk about the trade deadline, one that for the first time in a long time could potentially see the Islanders add significant players down the stretch. You never know.

It's entirely too much to go into here - you'll have to listen up.

All I know is that this season has been fantastic to this point, the way they are playing is the best I have seen them play in a long time, it's structured and they're having fun! Scoring is balanced and the ceiling seems to get higher and higher. Is it sustainable? That's the most important question right now, but we should enjoy the season and whatever happens.