Bump in the road or reality check?

Not too long ago, we Islander fans were faced with hockey armhegedden. Elimination in mid November. Then something so simple happened. Islandersfi management was forced to start Al Montoya basically everyday. And his play (up until tonight yet its not his fault entirly) has been stellar. And his stellar play alone can be attributted to the turnaround. Unfortunately, when you fall so far behind, and you can't win in OT or shootouts, 1 loss brings it all back to reality. 13th in the east. Too many turnovers. Sloppy play in the defensive zone. No big defensive stoppers on the blueline. The fact that we cant battle night after night against the Eastern division because the team is too small and too soft. Would a 1.5 mil cap hit for claiming character tough guy Sean Avery really be too much too ask. He would have helped. He is exactly what this team is missing. A semi talented, Tough, heart on his sleeve type player. all due respect to Matt Martin, hes no Avery. At least not yet. While i think the team will continue to battle and win almost half its games, this roster is not playoff caliber. And that is the goal after 4 years nada. Whats next? Do they shrug this off and continue to battle every night? Winning at least half of the time? Is that even satisfactory.Evan if we compete and find ourselves in the same conference position come february, it only means snow will certainly trade al montoya for a garbage draft pick. Its almost a better bet to hope the team returns to losing so perhaps after another year with lost revenues, Wang finnaly decides to change managment. But i fear this team is talented and prideful enough that come march, they will be near the .500 mark and that will justify another Dianetics believe speech from wang, another lost year, another lost draft, and another rookie non nhl coach, and ultimatly another lost season for us fans