Back in the NH.... back in the NH .... Back in the NHL....

The Islanders will actually play their 13th game of the season on Saturday.

Consider this:

With Buffalo's loss on Friday night, the Islanders have played at least three fewer games than every other team in the Eastern Conference.

The Isles have played five fewer games than the Maple Leafs

The Isles have played one fewer game than Ottawa has won. (The Sens are 13-2)

The Isles have played twelve games -- the Sabres have allowed the first goal in twelve straight games.

It will be interesting to see how much this crazy schedule affects the Isles as this season goes on. Beginning Saturday, it's 22 games in 43 days before the Isles take three days off for Christmas.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of FSN statistician Eric Hornick. Eric, who has worked the Stanley Cup Finals four times, celebrated his 25th anniversary as the statistician on Islander home telecasts on January 21, 2007. Often referred to on-air as an actuary, he is one of 3,044 Fellows of the Casualty Actuarial Society and is the President of the Casualty Actuaries of Greater NY. You can find him in the "Best Seat in the House", about six feet to Howie and Billy's left, at most Islander home games. For more on the actuarial profession, visit www.beanactuary.org