Kyle Okposo (inset) celebrating a 4-goal performance returns tonight after missing six weeks due to a torn retina.
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When Kyle Okposo went down, it was uncertain when he’d return for the Islanders. After suffering a detached retina, the original expectation is that he’d miss two months. Of course, that was optimistic given how scary an eye injury is. As we know from Marc Staal on the Rangers side, it’s hard to predict when or if a player will be able to come back.

 “It was definitely a scary thing,” Okposo told reporters in an interview on the team site. “The doctor told me my vision wasn’t guaranteed to come back. At that point, you start realizing what’s important, not just hockey, but the rest of my life.”

Thankfully for the Islanders and Okposo, he’s been medically cleared to return after missing six weeks. The ’06 first round pick was on fire when the injury occurred. He had seven points over his last three games including a 4-goal game highlighting a home win over the Penguins. His last game was Jan. 19 against the Flyers.

The 26-year old right wing was almost a point a game with 44 points in 46 games including 14 goals and 30 assists. Teaming with emerging Hart candidate John Tavares, Okposo had formed a 1-2 punch on one of the NHL’s highest scoring teams. Lately, coach Jack Capuano had used Josh Bailey on the top line with rookie Anders Lee. If Okposo goes right back on the line, Capuano can drop Bailey to the second line. Who comes out? Michael Grabner played on the third line and deadline pickup Tyler Kennedy debuted in Monday’s come from behind 4-3 overtime win at Toronto with a goal and assist on the third line.

The Islanders went 12-7-3 without Okposo. Due in large part to Tavares, who scored a highlight reel goal to beat the Leafs the Islanders have remained first in the Metropolitan Division. He enters tonight’s final regular season match-up against the Rangers at Nassau Coliseum red hot with seven points (3-4-7) over the last three taking over the league lead in scoring with 72 points (33-39-72). Tavares has 14 points (5-9-14) in the last 10. In the 22 games Okposo missed, he’s 12-15-27 with two game-winners and a plus-nine rating.

Tavares’ play has been nothing but brilliant. Already having surpassed his previous best of 31 goals in ’11-12, he’s on track to eclipse the 81 points he put up that year. With 14 games remaining, he should get it in his sleep. The way he’s going, 90 points is possible. Don’t forget the Islanders captain had 66 points in 59 games last year before a torn MCL at the Winter Olympics ended his season. At 24, he’s elite and has moved into the MVP race with Alexander Ovechkin. Carey Price remains the front runner. Rick Nash and Pekka Rinne are still candidates but have dropped off.

In what will be the final regular season meeting between the Rangers and Islanders in Uniondale, it should be a barn burner. The Islanders come in with 90 points tied with the Canadiens for most in the East. However, they’ve played two more games and four more than the Rangers, who have 87 and one more regulation and overtime win (37). It’s more important for the Islanders. A win in 60 minutes would give them a five-point cushion and tie them in ROW. A loss and the division is in the Rangers’ hands with the Penguins at 86 points and 16 left lurking behind.