The Islanders uninspired play got them 2 road loses this past weekend, dropping them from a strong start to a 3-3-0 record on the young season and leaving a possible 4 points on the road. It is far from panic time, but there is room for concern. The team’s top line does most of the scoring while the rest of the line-up has struggled to find the back of the net. Almost as if they were living on what they did in the three home games prior to their trip to the sunshine state, the cruise control wasn’t good enough to overcome a talented and desperate Tampa team and a surging, but beatable, Florida team.
The Islanders were out played, outshot and seemed lost at times after they tried to start a push towards taking control of the games. When K.O. missed a golden chance in Tampa and the faltering quick start through the 5 on 3 in the third period against a backup Panther goaltender, the Isles failed to take control, and paid the price with back to back loses.
The Islanders were out played, outshot and seemed lost at times after they tried to start a push towards taking control of the games. When K.O. missed a golden chance in Tampa and the faltering quick start through the 5 on 3 in the third period against a backup Panther goaltender, the Isles failed to take control, and paid the price with back to back loses.
Still, the Islanders have shown a lot of promise. The have displayed flashes of a solid team ready to take the next step. Inconsistency though and an inability to find scoring depth have hurt them. I joked that they were on track for about 7 minutes in Tampa and maybe a little more than that against the Panthers. Last season, the team had the ability to score throughout the roster after Coach Capuano took over. It was a part of the reason that the second half surge showed promise and a maturity that was coming of age to the young Islanders team.
With a relentless attack and tough defensive play, the Islanders ranked 6th in espn.go.coms’ power ranking last week. After this weekend’s performance, they fell “back down to earth,” at 19th position. Whatever the reason for the slip up, the Islanders will need to find consistency to be taken seriously in a hostile sports world that has reluctantly given them periods of respect up to this point.
With a relentless attack and tough defensive play, the Islanders ranked 6th in espn.go.coms’ power ranking last week. After this weekend’s performance, they fell “back down to earth,” at 19th position. Whatever the reason for the slip up, the Islanders will need to find consistency to be taken seriously in a hostile sports world that has reluctantly given them periods of respect up to this point.
With a home at home series coming against the Pittsburg Penguins, or #Pengwhines as I like to call them, the Islanders had better be ready and refocus on their game. The Penguins have been without Crosby, Malkin, Michalek, Orpik, Jeffrey and Kennedy, but are still finding a way to come together and win as a team. In their 10 games played so far this season, the Pens are 6-2-2. The Isles team chemistry needs to rebound and find balance throughout their game to compete with upper level teams.
If they can maintain pressure against the Pens, their Goaltending should hold up. I would say that both Montoya and Nabokov have looked good so far this season. The Isles defense has been an asset for the most part and as I have said before, special teams are much better. They can take less penalties and re-discover their nose for the net, but all in all, have been a pretty good team at times thus far in the season. They need to keep listening to Coach Capuano and need some kind of spark.
If they can maintain pressure against the Pens, their Goaltending should hold up. I would say that both Montoya and Nabokov have looked good so far this season. The Isles defense has been an asset for the most part and as I have said before, special teams are much better. They can take less penalties and re-discover their nose for the net, but all in all, have been a pretty good team at times thus far in the season. They need to keep listening to Coach Capuano and need some kind of spark.
I wonder what kind of spark they could need against the #Pengwhines
Isles Notes:
* Nabokov has been given the start with DiPietro dressing as back-up in game one of the home at home.
* Malkin will be a game-time decision in game one.
DiPietro and now Jurcina are back to practicing with the team.
Niederreiter is day to day.
It has been pointed out by many that Blake Comeau (4 games, 0 pts and 2 Pim) and Josh Bailey (6 games, 0 pts and a -1 with 4 pim) seem to be losing stock with each passing day since the start of the season. Their security is something to watch as the season continues as well as how the Islanders perform.
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