Alexander Semin

The New York Islanders went into tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes with the hopes of ending a four-game losing streak before heading back to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night for their Valentine's Day re-match with the New York Rangers. Despite ending their scoreless power play streak, the Islanders would add another tally to the loss column with a 6-4 defeat on home ice.

Frans Nielsen opened the scoring with a power play goal just 2:48 into the hockey game with assists coming from Josh Bailey and Travis Hamonic. But former Islanders Tim Wallace would tie the game a little over mid-way through the first period, sending both teams to their respective locker rooms in a draw.

The middle frame would prove to be a wild one. John Tavares scored the Isles second power play goal after jumping on a rebound in front. Matt Moulson and Lubomir Visnovsky earned the helpers. But Canes forward Jeff Skinner would knot it up at two less than 30 seconds later with a snap shot in the high slot that Rick DiPietro never saw.

Canes fans should be excited as momentum is building in Carolina for the first time since 2006. The Canes were awesome that year and had a team full of talent that kept the fans on the edge of their seats all season in route to a NHL championship.

The Hurricanes appear to be headed down the same path in the 2012 – 2013 season as the rebuild process is starting to look like Jim Rutherford has rekindled his magic touch. JR appears to have succumbed to the pressures of finishing last in the division last year and has been wheeling and dealing to put a better product on the ice for the upcoming season.

For the fans, it is just in time as patience was wearing thi...

It is no lie that the Islanders are in need of some secondary scoring. Of the many forwards left on the free agent market two names, Alexander Semin and Shane Doan, should be sticking out to Islanders GM Garth Snow and Owner Charles Wang. (Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

With July 1 right around the corner, the Buffalo Sabres might need to look behind their own prospect pool to try and become a legitimate contender during the 2012-2013 season.

The Sabres need offense. The team's goaltending and defense are solid, but only having three players reach the 20-goal plateau doesn't put a team in the playoffs.

With a little more than 11.5 million to spend during this summer the Sabres will be looking for some offense to try and help Ryan Miller and the defense core.

There are a number of free agents available who every team will be drooling over, including Alexander Semin, Oli Jokinen, and P.A Parenteau.

With Zack Parise stat...