from Arthur Staple of Newsday,

The last stretch of the Islanders' season isn't just for evaluating the young players who have been rotating through the lineup.

Evgeni Nabokov, for example, isn't signed for next season. He's had two injuries, including a groin problem that cost him a month and left the Isles hanging during their ugly November and December.

But he showed on Sunday a little bit of why the Islanders might be interested in a fourth season employing the 38-year-old in a backup role next season.

Most obvious were the 41 saves in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets, including 33 in the final two periods. Nabokov has lamented not making the key save at key times. His .912 even-strength save percentage ranks ahead of only the Devils' Cory Schneider and Martin Brodeur among NHL goaltenders who start a majority of their team's games.

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