You would be crazy to argue that the two biggest end-of-the-year victories by a New York team didn't take place on a football field in north Jersey, but a couple of local hockey teams also scored important wins before the clock struck midnight at the end of 2002.

While the New York Rangers were putting a band aid on the mess entrusted to coach Bryan Trottier with a shutout at Carolina on New Year's eve, the New York Islanders provided some real inspiration and hope for the new year with a 1-0 overtime win at Buffalo.

The Rangers situation is so fraught with potholes that it is hard to imagine anything good coming of 2003, except a coaching change to rescue Trottier from a miserable and unfair situation for a first-year coach, and perhaps a whole new attitude by the ownership and management to go about their business in a more appropriate manner than throwing dollars at players, and throwing darts at the free agent board.

As for the Islanders?

Well, there is some real hope there. The victory at Buffalo was important on a couple of levels. First off, it got the team at level ground and .500 coming into 2003. Secondly, it came after an equally exhilarating win at home against Carolina.

So, what could possibly be the big deal with a win against a Buffalo team that is taking on losses quicker than debt?

That's a reasonable question. But what you have to consider is the history with the Sabres. This was another pay back game for Michael Peca, who has turned out to be just a notch or two less important to the Sabres than Dominik Hasek.

Peca and the New York Islanders penalty killers were wonderful against a Buffalo team that was cranked up for a couple of reasons. First of all, it was the annual "Tux and Pucks" night in their home arena, and they had a reasonable crowd of over 15,000, reminders of what hockey was like in the days when Hasek and Peca wore the same uniform, and the make-believe money was available.

Secondly, the Sabres played a forceful game in front of rookie goalie Ryan Miller, the latest in the Buffalo parade of very talented young goalies who are being counted upon to take the place of Hasek. Miller played a sound game, but not near the quality of Islanders goalie Chris Osgood, who is showing signs of a rebirth into the steady goalie required to give the Isles not only playoff life -- but a real shot in the playoffs this coming spring.

For those who want to consider some MVP candidates for the first half, you might consider the Islanders performance with and without Peca before his real return in the middle of December was 5-10-1, and now they have run off four wins in a succession and are 10-6-4 record with Peca in the lineup.

The Isles have also been helped tremendously be the return of defenseman Roman Hamrlik from injury (shoulder). But the biggest reason to believe the Islanders have returned as a threat in the east is their snarly play with Peca in the lineup. And if Alexei Yashin ever provides the production per money he is expected, the Isles could be a real playoff threat.

Murray to Atlanta?
The decision of Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell to have a serious talk with Terry Murray about coaching the team is an indication that the Thrashers are going to finally head in the right direction.

Murray has been a solid NHL coach, and his ability to demand defense first would be a huge positive for a team that has such young offensive talent as the Thrashers. The knock on Murray has always been his inability to communicate with this players, especially veterans.

However, his stern approach is needed in Atlanta where Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley will only benefit from an iron-clad system.

Murray would also be a big addition to the Atlanta hierarchy, and a seasoned and reasonable voice in discussions of trades and maneuvers to improve the team.

2003 predictions
What to expect in 2003? There isn't a clear view through the netting around the crystal ball, but figure on much of the following: