R.I.P. Mr. Judge
The Islanders are struggling. They have a 4-4-2 record in their last 10
games, including a current 3 game losing streak. The good news is that they still sit just 3
points behind the Rangers for the first spot in the metro & fourth in the eastern
conference, with 90 points. They are
still having a fantastic season and will be a dangerous team for any to face in
the NHL playoffs. The Isles are 43-24-4
thru 71 games, representing their most wins since 1983-84 (50) per Eric Hornick.
Their problems have been an odd mix of things
that were strengths at one time. The Isles
opened the season with a 17-4-0 record at the NVMC, but have more recently gone
6-8-0. Although they are 4th
in the league with a 3.01 goals per game average, seven of their last ten games
have been determined by 1 goal. Their
offensive pressure has been there as they continue to outshoot the opposition,
however they have lost 3 straight while only able to score one goal in each
game. This being their worst streak
since early November, 2010. Their ability
to get balanced scoring and finish offensively has been a problem. The PP has struggled mightily and it has cost
them. Mistakes, especially late in
periods have hurt them when their margin for error has been smaller. In the shootout, the Isles have fallen to a
7-3-0 record after winning their first 6.
They have been held scoreless in the last 3 shootout loses, losing all by
1-0 margins. New York is 24-10-1 when
they score at least one power play goal and just 19-14-3 when they can’t.
Let’s take a “Lookback” at their last 2 games
over the weekend.
The Islanders fell to Ottawa by a 2-1 score
before a sellout crowd. Tyler Kennedy (Visnovsky & Kulemin) scored the lone
goal for the Islanders midway through the third period and was named 3rd
star of the game. The Isles were 0/3 on
the PP and 1/1 on the PK. Jaroslav Halak
made 26 saves in the loss. The Islanders
continue to improve in the faceoff circle.
They had a 44-26 advantage against the Senators. Frans Nielsen missed his first game of the
season for what was called a maintenance day and was replaced by Michael
Grabner. Jaroslav Halak (26/26 with a
.929Sv%) said the loss was frustrating again.
“We had some opportunities on the power play that didn’t go in and all
of the sudden they score on a lucky bounce on the second goal. It’s a tough
one.”
In front of their 21st sellout
crowd of the season, the Isles lost to Montreal by a 3-1 margin. A SHG surrendered in the second period turned
out to be the difference in the game.
Michal Neuvirth (27/29 with a .931Sv%) misplayed a puck behind the net on
a dump-in that gave Montreal an easy lead they would never give back. The Canadiens are the only eastern conference
team that they have failed to beat this season.
Josh Bailey got the only goal for New York to bring the game within 1
late in the third, but Montreal got an ENG to cap off the win in the final 30
seconds. The PK continues to improve, killing
all 20 penalties against this month. It
was an impressive 4/4 in the last game. Kyle
Okposo continues to get back into the groove as he shakes off the rust. Frans Nielsen & Matt Donavan were back in
while Ryan Strome & Lubo Visnovsky were out of the game. John Tavares still leads the NHL in scoring
with 72 points, but was held without a point again for the third game in a row. The latest loss is the fourth straight at
home. Still missing Nick Leddy and no Lubo
Visnovsky hurts the Isles PP that was 1/5 in the game.
I compiled some interesting notes from Isles
statistician, Eric Hornick and applied them to the rest of the Isles season:
When they have played the night before, the
Isles are 1-5-0 when playing against rested teams. They are 7-1-0 when both teams are rested and
7-2-0 when they are rested while their opponents are not. They will have 2 games in the next 9
days. That should bode well for their
ability to rest up, work on shortcomings and find their way back to a winning
mindset before plodding back into the final stretch to end the regular
season. Their magic number is 16 for
points won or lost against the Ottawa Senators for clinching a playoff spot.
Capuano:
“For whatever reason we’re a little snakebitten, things aren’t finding
its way like they used to when we were scoring three, four or five goals a game
and the power play was clicking.”
Another magic number is 3. The Isles are 36-7-2 when they score at least
three goals (including shootout winners) and are 7-17-2 when they do not. They need to continue generating offense from
both sides of the ice, but find a way to convert more regularly. They have done a good job in stretches for
most parts of their game, but haven’t been able to get in sync for 60 minutes
on a consistent basis. When they get
back to doing this, they are an even harder team to beat. Concern for their shortcomings is valid, but
it is not time to panic.
The Islanders are 3 points out of 1st in east with 11 games to go. I'll take that. Will you?
The Islanders travel to Chicago next Tuesday
and visit New Jersey on Saturday.
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