The Islanders are what their record says they are until proved otherwise. For now, that’s a middle-of-the-pack team that should battle for a playoff spot with no guarantees of qualifying.

But perhaps there are some telltale signs that they can elevate themselves into a real postseason contender.

The first is obvious: No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer actually is better than advertised coming out of June’s draft as he continues his historic start to his NHL career as an 18-year-old defenseman, having turned 18 just before training camp opened. He is well on his way to becoming the Islanders’ most dynamic defenseman since Hall of Famer Denis Potvin’s Stanley Cup prime.

More subtly, the Islanders’ penalty kill — the one that finished 31st in the 32-team NHL last season as the Islande

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