Bodog Beat

The New York Islanders looked like they had things figured out two years ago, bringing coach Ted Nolan off the unofficial blacklist and going 40-30-12. (AP Images)

But they fell back out of the playoffs last season, fired Nolan, and are starting from scratch this year with a youth movement under new coach Scott Gordon. The Isles are 66-1 outsiders to win the Stanley Cup this year.

Gordon’s training camp proved to be so physically demanding that many players were hurt, including D Chris Campoli. But the Isles already have an upgrade at that position with former Montreal blueliner Mark Streit in uniform Friday against the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils (18-1) have been carried by goaltender Martin Brodeur the last couple of seasons. They’ll be better up front this year with LW Brian Rolston coming over from Minnesota, and their no-name defense adds 10-year veteran Anssi Salmela from Finland.