It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 16th

2 years ago tonight (2013) - John Tavares recorded his fourth career hat trick and Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves as the Islanders broke open a scoreless game with five goals in the final 23:14 to defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-1.  Both Tavares and Matt Moulson finished the night with four points.

Tavares’ hat trick gave him 11 goals on the season, as well as goals in five straight games.

Moulson and Tavares became the first Islander teammates to have four-point games in the same game since Ryan Smyth and Mike Sillinger did so on March 17, 2007 in Florida.  (It didn't happen again until this past Saturday).

“The first goal was a big one for us, but the most positive thing was that we kept going at them,” John Tavares said. “We didn’t just get one and sit back, thinking things will get easier. We went after them, drew a couple penalties, and capitalized.”

 “He comes to the rink every day to get better,” Jack Capuano said of Tavares. “He’s prepared, he’s focused, he’s committed, he’s willing to do all the little things and intangibles to be one of the best players in the league and the world. That’s just where he’s at right now.”

Here are the highlights with Howie and Butch.

Also on this date: (1985)  - Pat LaFontaine established a club record by scoring twice in eight seconds and Tomas Jonsson netted the tying goal with 2:34 to play as the Isles tied Hartford 4-4.

All-time, the Isles have played eleven February 16th games at the Coliseum and have compiled a 8-1-2 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.  The 12th and final February 16th home game is tonight –as the Isles host the Rangers at 7:00. Make sure you’re there, because after tonight, there are only 14 regular season games remaining.