New York Islanders

The Islanders are a long way from determining their approach to the March 3 trading deadline.

But what if their surprising .500 record -- they are 8-8-7 entering Monday's visit to Toronto -- translates into them being positioned to be buyers with a chance to accelerate their rebuilding plan?

"There are no financial handcuffs, for lack of a better term," GM Garth Snow told Newsday. "I've always been given the freedom from (owner) Charles (Wang) to spend if I see a fit.

"I don't think we're in a situation right now to make that decision. When that time comes, we'll make it."

Last season finished with the Islanders, whose current payroll of $44 million is barely above the salary-cap floor -- posting the worst record in the NHL.

But Snow already has seen enough improvement -- led by lottery pick John Tavares, emerging stars Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo and veteran goalies Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron -- to think the best is yet to come for the Isles later this season.

"Like I said when we were 0-4-4 this season, I believe in the guys on this team," Snow said. "And I still believe we should have a better record than we have. We can get better, and we will get better."

BLUES 4, ISLANDERS 1: The Islanders appeared to have run out of gas in the penultimate game of a seven-game road trip. After earning points in the first four games of the trek (2-0-2), the Isles blew a third-period lead Friday in Minnesota before listlessly dropping their second in succession one night later in St. Louis.

"It definitely wasn't our game tonight," Isles forward Trent Hunter said. "Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get your legs going after playing the night before, but that wasn't the case. We can't use that as an excuse that we played (Friday) night."

• LW Jeff Tambellini had been scratched in each of the previous four games despite a recent stretch in which he scored six goals in five appearances. But the skilled winger returned to the Isles' lineup Saturday in St. Louis.

  "There have definitely been some peaks and valleys (this season)," Tambellini told Newsday. "It's been eventful, but I choose to take the positives from it."

• RW Blake Comeau, whose late turnover led to the tiebreaking goal for Owen Nolan in the closing minutes of regulation Friday night in Minnesota, was a healthy scratch Saturday against St. Louis.

Quote To Note:

"That was the case. You never feel good about saying that, but when you're the road team, you have to be the harder-working team."

—Center Josh Bailey, when asked whether the Islanders were outworked in a 4-1 loss Saturday to St. Louis.

Goaltenders:

Dwayne Roloson, Martin Biron.

Defensemen:

Mark Streit, Bruno Gervais, Andy Sutton, Jack Hillen, Freddy Meyer, Andrew MacDonald.

First Line:

Matt Moulson, John Tavares, Richard Park.

Second Line:

Sean Bergenheim, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo.

Third Line:

Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey, Trent Hunter.

Fourth Line:

Jon Sim, Nate Thompson, Tim Jackman.

Player Notes:

• G Dwayne Roloson, who had lost just once in regulation in his first 12 appearances (6-1-5) for the Islanders, allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 4-1 loss Saturday in St. Louis.

• C Josh Bailey scored in his second straight game and for the fourth time in his last 10 appearances.

• LW Sean Bergenheim, who scored a career-high 15 goals last season, has just two in 23 games.

Medical Watch:

• G Rick DiPietro, who hasn't play since Jan. 5 of last season due to lingering effects from multiple surgeries on his right knee, has resumed practicing but isn't expected back until at least late November.

• D Radek Martinek suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on Nov. 6 against New Jersey and will miss the remainder of the season.

• C Doug Weight suffered an undisclosed upper body injury Nov. 6 and is expected to be out until mid-December.