Your New York Islanders have fallen to last place in the east with a 4-6-2 record, with only Columbus having fewer points than them in the entire NHL. They have been outscored 25-35 and despite a big win vs. the Washington Capitals recently, their play has been more of the same since the skid started. Barely a winning record at home and winless on the road thus far, the Islanders are making the faithful worry that this will just be another losing season after a good summer and a lot of promise was expected, or at least hoped for. No one will say we landed the big free agent, but we added utility players that could plug holes until the Bridgeport talent was ready.
While it is far from lost, points given away this early always come back to bite you later in the season. It was the 14 game skid last season that blew the Islanders hopes for a playoff spot as their season expired last year. It was too big a hole to climb out of from events too early in the season. The Isles are tied for least amount of games played, so there could be some games at hand to be made up there, but an ugly trend is happening all over again. They lack consistency in a big way.
The special teams which were a strength early on have fallen off a bit. The PP has fallen from 6th position to the bottom half at 16.7%, 17th position and the once solid PK is at 82%, 16th best in the league.
Goal scoring has been a problem throughout the early season with only the first line pulling its weight. Altering lines seemed to help a little recently, but contributions from the bottom three needs to improve, and fast. Goal scoring is still a concern for a team who showed an ability to score throughout their roster last season. The defense had been doing a good job early on but has been declining in the way of team play to me as I watch the games unfold. This occurred particularly in the transitional play when attempting to start a rush into neutral ice and clear the defensive zone. In the game against the Bruins, the Isles seemed to almost try and make passes through their own goal slot and thread passes through multiple opponents when they should have made the passes to low risk places and in much safer ways.
Goal scoring has been a problem throughout the early season with only the first line pulling its weight. Altering lines seemed to help a little recently, but contributions from the bottom three needs to improve, and fast. Goal scoring is still a concern for a team who showed an ability to score throughout their roster last season. The defense had been doing a good job early on but has been declining in the way of team play to me as I watch the games unfold. This occurred particularly in the transitional play when attempting to start a rush into neutral ice and clear the defensive zone. In the game against the Bruins, the Isles seemed to almost try and make passes through their own goal slot and thread passes through multiple opponents when they should have made the passes to low risk places and in much safer ways.
Team passing in general seems to be off. At times, the whole team seems to be lost on the ice and their passes are either too hard or too soft, which lead to give aways and surrender puck possession. This results in pressure on the Islanders instead of the pressure from defensive transition designed to affect their opponent.
The goaltending has been subject to a bad goal here and there, but has performed reasonably well. Having a three goalie rotation is probably not the best solution for anyone. Depth is good, but inactivity can cool off a trending or streaking goaltender in a big way. In my opinion, Montoya is the one who should be the unofficial starter by what he showed last year. DiPietro showed a strong preseason and should have the ability to unseat Montoya if he can stay healthy. DP was and is in the long range plans until he decides to retire, like it or not. The organization has a lot invested in him and if he can bounce back, he is a big time asset.
The goaltending has been subject to a bad goal here and there, but has performed reasonably well. Having a three goalie rotation is probably not the best solution for anyone. Depth is good, but inactivity can cool off a trending or streaking goaltender in a big way. In my opinion, Montoya is the one who should be the unofficial starter by what he showed last year. DiPietro showed a strong preseason and should have the ability to unseat Montoya if he can stay healthy. DP was and is in the long range plans until he decides to retire, like it or not. The organization has a lot invested in him and if he can bounce back, he is a big time asset.
With a deep pool in the minors that includes Poulin, Nilsson and Koskinen, the team can afford to make a trade in goal. Thus far, I see Nabokov as the weak link and the logical choice for a trade if the deal is there. If perceived value can’t be had, the team needs to decide how much it is worth to keep him here and what it will mean to team chemistry. I think a trade needs to be made, but will his market value get the second round pick Garth Snow is asking for if teams see him play so erratically and feel he has a nagging injury? Probably not.
If the team is supposed to make the playoffs, in the eyes of management, how stable and safe is the coaching staff? Jack Capuano had galvanized the team last year and they responded well to his system. So far this year, the Islanders are too unstable to give me the confidence this isn’t just another slide that may result in another highly anticipated draft, but what is the reason? I like Coach Capuano and I hope the team responds this time, but if the losing continues, how much more time can pass before the Coach gets fired? Who would replace him?
Looking at the situation, the facts are the facts. With the current roster, can the Isles find consistency? I say yes, but must work as any closed system, within their limitations. All things mentioned previously need to improve. Special teams, scoring, passing, defense and goaltending needs to stabilize. Can the elements only work well independently and apart from each other or can they sync up within the current team build? This is more coaching than players and again, yes, I think it can. The team needs to refocus on the small things and not worry about how great or poorly they played. Aim for small goals as a team and a player and work on doing them regularly. Win a face off, make a sweet pass, complete a great defensive clear. Do this and all the rest will fall into place.
Never discount what Trevor Gillies brings to the lineup. I know he won’t score goals but his value as a team mate has been evident with the Islanders since joining the team. The Islanders simply win more with him in the lineup than out. Is it because of his presence on the ice or his fist pounding from the bench? Not sure, but keep him in mind for team chemistry factor “X.”
This doesn’t mean the team can’t or won’t make changes. I think a trade is necessary and I am still picking on Josh Bailey. Find a team with a similar young and talented player who is having similar issues or needs a change. Maybe Kyle Turris in Phoenix is an option. Maybe trade him for another high pick and bring up someone from the system. Justin DiBenedetto, Casey Cizikas and the red hot Tim Wallace are all good options to possibly spark the team from within. Maybe even give Ryan Strome a look while Nino Niederrieiter is down for conditioning in Bridgeport.
Whatever we need to do, just do it soon.
**Forgive my lack of updates. My family has dealt with some health issues lately. This has cut into my daily routine, so I haven’t had any real time to read anything on line in the way of puck news lately. My only “fix” has been being able to catch pieces of games on TV as they happen before going to sleep early.
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