as been skating with Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas since joining the team after the World Cup, and Capuano likes what hes seen from that | Forum

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets didnt have to do a thing Thursday in order to take sole possession of the second wild card in the National League. Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys . On Friday, the Mets will begin taking playoff destiny into their own hands.The Mets open up their final homestand of the regular season Friday night, when the Minnesota Twins visit for a three-game interleague series at Citi Field. New York (77-69) was off Thursday following a 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday while the Twins (55-92) beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-1, at Comerica Park Thursday afternoon.While the Twins are hoping to avoid 100 losses, the Mets will enter Friday with a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (76-70) in the race for the NLs second wild-card spot by virtue of the Cardinals 6-2 loss Thursday night to the top wild card, the San Francisco Giants (78-68).The Mets, the defending NL champions, appeared finished four weeks ago Friday, when an 8-1 loss to the Giants dropped them to 60-62 and into fifth place in the wild-card race, 5 1/2 games behind the second wild card Cardinals.But the Mets have the best record in baseball (17-7) since Aug. 19 and will play their final 16 games against a quartet of teams -- the Twins, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins -- that enter Friday a combined 88 games under .500.We have caught up a lot in the last couple of weeks, Mets manager Terry Collins said. We have a chance to do some damage if we take care of our own business.The Mets have done damage of the past month thanks largely to strong pitching from three unexpected contributors: Rookies Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman as well as wise old sage Bartolo Colon. The trio is a combined 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) during New Yorks run.Colon, the oldest player in baseball at age 43, is scheduled to start Fridays opener while Lugo is expected to pitch Saturday.At this time of year, (with) where were at, and you see the young guys stepping up and doing their job, you can tell how good stuff they have, Mets catcher Rene Rivera said after Gsellman threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday.The Twins, meanwhile, will look to continue playing spoiler as they try to avoid the franchises first 100-loss season since 1982. Minnesota, which needs to go 8-7 the rest of the way to finish with fewer than 100 losses, just split a four-game series with the AL wild card-contending Tigers and will play the next 12 games against four teams -- the Mets, Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals -- who are currently over .500 and within six games of a playoff spot.Rookie right-hander Jose Berrios, who has a 9.27 ERA in his first 11 big league starts, is scheduled to oppose Colon on Friday night.Were trying to finish and at the same time construct a little bit in our brains going forward, what people are in our mix, Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters Thursday afternoon. Victor Hedman Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Cedric Paquette Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Martin-St-Louis-Jersey/ . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. EAST MEADOW, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders chemistry could be a work in progress at the start of the season.After missing the first half of training camp while helping Canada win the World Cup of Hockey, John Tavares has had just a week of practice and one preseason game with the Islanders. While the international tournament likely has the captain in good condition, he hasnt had much time with his new line, which added a new member days before the season opener.I dont think theres any formula to it, Tavares said after practice Tuesday. Sometimes things take a little longer, sometimes they just click first time you step on the ice.With Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen gone via free agency, Tavares was set to be joined on the top line by newcomers Andrew Ladd and PA Parenteau. That duo worked together in Tavares absence, and the trio teamed up during practice last week and in the preseason finale -- a 4-0 loss at Washington on Sunday. However, Parenteau was waived earlier this week in a surprising move.After a day off Monday, Tavares and Ladd skated with Jason Chimera, another free agent acquisition.It could be a good line combination, all veteran guys, coach Jack Capuano said. I liked what I saw today. I like the speed of that line.The trio has produced -- albeit separately -- in past years. Tavares has topped 66 points in five of the last six seasons, Ladd has scored at least 46 points in seven of the last eight campaigns and Chimera reached 39 points in three of the last five.Tavares has played against both players for years and thinks he knows their tendencies, which should help.I have a good sense of their game and their identity as a player and how they can fit into our team framework, he said. Developiing chemistry with linemates is just a lot of communication and trying to read off one another. Ondrej Palat Lightning Jersey. Ladd, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, knows the teams success hinges on how quickly he adapts to playing with Tavares. To that end, hes keeping his approach simple.Just trying to get a feel for what Johnny wants to do offensively with the puck, Ladd said. Hes very skilled 1-on-1 so a lot of times maybe you can give him a little space to beat a guy and find some open space. Play give-and-go hockey, I think its probably a good start.Parenteaus departure allowed the Islanders to keep 19-year-old prospects Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier on the 23-man roster, at least to start the season. Shane Prince and Alan Quine, who both had key goals during the teams run to the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring, were also among the 14 forwards, six defensemen and three goalies who survived the final cuts ahead of the season opener at the crosstown-rival Rangers on Thursday night.While the top line adapts and Capuano sorts out other combinations, the coach believes hes found the solution to the void created on the Islanders vaunted fourth line by Matt Martins departure. Nikolay Kulemin has been skating with Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas since joining the team after the World Cup, and Capuano likes what hes seen from that trio.The energy that they bring in losing Martin on that line and adding (Kulemin) there, Capuano said, to me its tough to separate those three guys and so right now theyre going to stay intact for sure.---Follow Cherwoo at: www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP ' ' '