Pencil New York Islanders in as a sleeper team

New York Islanders winger Kyle Okposo confesses to being a stats guy, and what first caught his attention about newly arrived goalie Jaroslav Halak was last season's .921 save percentage.

Considering the Islanders had a .898 team save percentage last season, Halak's numbers could serve as a much-needed pain reliever for the Islanders defense.

"I think our goaltending is going to help," Okposo said. "Halak will be back there to bail us out sometimes. That builds our confidence."

Only six NHL regulars had a better save percentage than Halak in 2013-14, which is why general manager Garth Snow targeted him as his No. 1 goalie. The Islanders ranked 28th in goals against last season and likely need to give up 30 to 40 fewer goals to be a playoff team.

The Islanders think Halak, 29, can help them do that.

"He's proven, and he's still young," Islanders captain John Tavares said. "He still has a lot of great hockey left in him."

Given the Islanders' potential to be a top-10 scoring team, an improved goals-against average could make them the sleeper of the Eastern Conference.

Tavares, 24, was headed toward a 95-point season when he injured his knee in the Olympics.

"He's going to be really motivated this season," Okposo said.

The Islanders added free agent forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Youngsters Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome could have breakout seasons.

"The depth we have up front has to be among the best in the league," Tavares said.

Frans Nielsen and Okposo could combine for 55 to 60 goals again this season.

"We are going to cause some headaches for other teams, " Tavares said. "We are going to be a team with a lot of speed and skill up front."

Nielsen had a career-best 25 goals and 58 points last season. The Islanders think he can settle into that scoring range or beyond.

"Frans is a tremendous player," Tavares said. "His hockey sense, plus poise and patience with the puck, is among the best in the league. When he has the puck on his stick, you always feel like he will make the right play."

Nielsen is a superb penalty killer and defensive forward.

"When you are under siege or feeling the pressure, he can slow the game down and get us reorganized," Tavares said. "It's a special knack that he has."

The NHL spotlight will be on Buffalo Sabres rookie Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June's draft. But his older brother, Griffin, projects to step into the Islanders lineup at defense and could end up having as much impact or more. The Islanders have to tighten up defensively or the power of their offense will be negated.

"He's definitely going to get an opportunity to show what he has," Okposo said. "He's probably going to have to grow up quick because this is an important year for us. He could be a key guy."

There is added sentimentality to the Islanders' quest to make the playoffs because this will be their last season on Long Island. The team is moving to Brooklyn's Barclays Center next season.

Said Okposo: "I think there will be a lot more talk about that once the season starts."