Lost in L.A.

Brock Nelson returned to the line up and the Islanders played hard again, they were able to create turnovers and play with a physical edge to their game, but failed to finish on their offensive opportunities.  Per Islanders.nhl.com, Josh Bailey said, “We didn’t do enough to create a lot of chances,” Bailey continued, “We had 16 shots and you’re not going to win many games with 16 shots.”  Josh Bailey had a clear cut breakaway chance late in the second period that could have changed the momentum in the game, but like most of those opportunities this season, yielded nothing.  “The Bailey chance shorthanded would have put us right back in the game,” head coach Jack Capuano sad. “But it didn’t have eyes (for the net)."  Quick's back up, Ben Scrivens was expected to get the start, but 3rd stringer, Martin Jones who is an AHL call up, got the start.  It was his second NHL game (1st W vs ANA 3-2 on 12/3) and he made 16 saves, getting his first NHL shut out and a 3-0 Los Angeles win for his efforts.

 

The Isles PK was strong, going 5 of 5, but struggled offensively on the PP and went 0 for 4.  The Islanders were out shot 24-16 in the game.  Kevin Poulin was 16/18 with a .913Sv%.

 

The Islanders have a record of 8-17-5 in 30 games, losing 9 in a row and going 1-7-2 in their last 10 games.  They have a -29 goal differential.  Only Florida and Buffalo are worse with a -30 & -40 respectively.  The Islanders rank 15th of 16 teams in the east and look lost and without a serious game plan.  They had another closed door meeting after the loss, just after Captain John Tavares criticized his team's recent efforts.  What must have been said in that meeting?  Were guys called out?  Were they made accountable and given a warning?

 

My position on their problems with lack of leadership and coaching is no secret.  The team that made such a run last season has many of the same pieces, but something has reverted to a psyche that goes back even farther than the slumps of the last few years.  These current Islanders have a fragile ego and have no confidence in their defense or goaltending.  The multiple levels of scoring that were previously the teams strength have gone away almost completely.  Their special teams are erratic and random with their overall style of play, often dictated by their opposition.  All too often, they spot their opponents a multi goal lead and fall short of a strong rally to finish the game.  It seems they are unable to prepare and maintain a game plan, especially when things start getting away from them.  All these things are far to damaging to build a winning culture.

 

Keep Brock Nelson playing, Add Ryan Strome with the young guys (Donovan, Ness, de Haan) on defense until players return from injury.  I can stand mistakes and losing if they are being done by players that are slated to fit into the future plan.  Not mistakes by stop gaps or waning vets who are taking up roster spots.  Pierre Marc Bouchard and Peter Regin are inconsistent.  Matt Carkner has a role to play, but not at the expense of his defensive liability.  Josh Bailey has had more than enough time to "find his game," and like others, I had thought he found it a few times already.  Even Michael Grabner who is great on the PK could be moved if the right deal is there.  He is offensively snake bitten.  Evgeni Nabokov should be traded by the deadline.  Change is necessary and tweaking the team to remove "passengers" from the line up, and maybe behind the bench must be considered. Right?