Our New York
Islanders are still 1 point out of a playoff spot in the east at 27-24-6 with
60 points after 57 games, despite a turnover ladened, defensively challenged
style of play. Their goaltenders are struggling and even when they are on, they
face 40+ shots per game behind a mostly lethargic defensive effort. Per Eric Hornick,
“Since December 1st, Halak has faced 915 shots. This is 85 more than any
other goaltender (Lundqvist 830) in that span.” Any mistake they make seems to have
a good chance to blow a lead, a game and possibly, the season. Thomas Greiss (10-7-0-2, 4.03gaa & .885Sv%) has had his own challenges keeping the puck out of the net.
Yet, at times,
I still see the flashes of dominance they showed in the first part of the
season. They have so much skill and heart. Their top offensive players
are so dangerous and at times, no opponent’s lead seems too great for them to
overcome. I love all the positives to their game, but I can never relax because
they have seemingly become an inconsistent, ineffectual mess at the worst
possible point in the playoff race. Eric Hornick mentioned a few stats that
should be a concern to everyone who follows the team. The Isles are 12-17-4 in
their last 33 games and allowed 210 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they
allowed 220). The Islanders have allowed at least 35 shots in thirteen straight
home games and have allowed at least five goals eight times at home (1-5-2) and
sixteen times overall (1-13-2).
I know they
have had injury problems, especially on D and their offensive first system has
finally begin to challenge the team’s ability to win games. I heralded Doug
Weight since he took over last season, but he is obviously having trouble
righting the game plan with his coaching staff. According to Eric Hornick, “Doug
Weight is now 51-36-10 as an NHL coach. On February 3rd vs. the Blue Jackets,
he reached 50 wins faster than any coach in Islander history.” But since their
win against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Isles have gone 3 & 4. They have
looked horrible, blown leads and lost to some of the worst teams in the league,
playing to the level of their opponent. They have also managed to come up
big, pulling off huge comebacks like the dramatic finish against Detroit. But as
great as that 4 ppg performance was late in the third to set the stage for a
Brock Nelson hat-trick to win the game in O.T., the team needed a miracle to
pull it off. And to their credit, they got one. That time. The 3-0 lead
surrendered to the last place Buffalo Sabres though, cost them a 4-3 loss a day
earlier.
Per Chris Botta,
“It’s difficult to build a contending NHL team. People far smarter than Garth
Snow have failed at it. But Snow has been around since 2006. No matter what
Snow’s contract is, how can #Isles
ownership continue to pat him on the back and accept this?” I know the knock on
Garth Snow’s yearly refusal to make big trades and act the way other, more
successful GM’s have to actually make significant gains for their clubs at the
deadline. In my opinion, the drop off hastened after the Isles lost the
services of Calvin de Haan and Nikolay Kulemin. Two players that were relied
upon to play key defensive rolls on the blueline and on the once galvanized penalty
kill. But they are hardly the reason for the Isles latest downward season
spiral.
Snow said he
won’t use the Isles high picks in next year’s draft for rentals and I don’t
blame him. Plus, most cache’ players are commanding a 1st, top prospect and
additional player thrown in for consideration per NHL sources. Isles have their
own picks in 1st and 2nd round along with Calgary’s (Hamonic Deal), so those
are prime assets. I would, however trade them for impact players
with at least a year remaining. And it’s OK to trade a few key and 2nd tier
rostered players or prospects to make this year’s team better, especially on
defense or in goal. Anything to help a team led by John Tavares make more noise
is fine with me. Especially with the numbers guys like Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier and Jordan Eberle have been putting up. With
Tavares on the cusp of his UFA summer, the Islanders need a real reason for JT
to commit to them. We know he likes it here and we know he’s loyal, but the team
needs to break free of the 12-year rebuild and truly take the next step for a
player like John Tavares to re-sign.
The NHL trade
deadline is 2 weeks away. I thought for sure Snow would have tried to woo D,
Mark Streit out of retirement to finish the season ala F, Mike Fisher with
Nashville. The Islanders could use a boost on defense or in net at this point.
Any of the trade-block blueliners are pending UFA’s. That means Garth Snow
isn’t likely to get an Erik Gundbranson, Darnel Nurse, Jack Johnson or even an
older, but capable Mike Green. He would have to search for an expendable,
affordable younger, top tier defender with term remaining. Because those are
available (dripping sarcasm). Winnipeg’s UFA, Jacob Trouba would be a worthwhile
gamble in my book, but would likely be too expensive. Nashville’s 25-year-old
prospect, Dante Fabro is appealing, but he might not be ready for the role that
the Isles are looking for in a deadline acquisition. And probably far too
expensive anyway. To me, G, Robin Lehner is the only goalie I’d take a shot
with at this point. Lehner has a 2.90gaa and a .910Sv% on the last place
Sabers, but it’s still a gamble and at what price. FYI: Bridgeport
goaltender, Christopher Gibson is 17-11-2 with 2 shutouts. And for those of you asking,
the Isles on spirited enforcer Matt Martin has got to be no. I love what he
did for the organization while an Islander, but much like popular players like Matt Moulson or Frans
Nielsen, Martin is too expensive and on the decline. The Isles can utilize Ross
Johnston in the meantime to fill similar role.
The Islanders
had another early lead against Calgary on Sunday, but succumbed to some miscues
and defensive blunders, losing yet another game they should have won. Mathew Barzal
was singled out and benched by Doug Weight late in the game for Jordan Eberle.
Per @bheymann99, “Here's what Mathew Barzal told me re Doug Weight sitting him
with the goalie pulled & #Isles down 3-2 last
night: ‘I’ll own up to it. I didn’t have a great game. I didn’t deserve to be
out there late in the game. He made a good coaching move. I’ve got to hold
myself accountable." Weight on Eberle over Barzal: "Ebs arguably to
me in the last month has been our absolute best player, smart, reliable, makes
plays but gets it in when he knows (he should), makes the right play. He’s
cerebral. ... And he’s battling. That’s what my choice is.”
The Islanders need
to find a way to refocus their game and get back to the way they played earlier
in the year. They need accountability, especially on the defensive side of
things. Everyone from the coaches down to the 4th line needs to contribute. And
if they aren’t, its Garth Snow’s job to make the moves to get the guys who
will. The Islanders have divisional games against Columbus on Tuesday, Rangers
on Thursday and Carolina of Friday.
Enough excuses.
If that doesn’t fire you up, I’m not sure what will.
Isles Notes:
Per Eric Hornick on Mathew Barzal, “Ridiculous-- only centers in #NHL history w more
5-assist gms in any season wore 99 and 66.”
“Mathew Barzal
now needs only 1 point to become the third highest-scoring rookie in Islander
history.”
Per NHL PR,
“Mathew Barzal of the @NYIslanders
collected five assists to record his third five-point game of the season (0-5—5
on Nov. 5 vs. COL and 2-3—5 on Jan. 13 at NYR).”
Per Elias: “Barzy
became the first rookie since the 1917-18 season to record three 5-point nights
in a single season.” Only 2nd ever (Joe Malone, MTL, 1917-18) to do so.
John Tavares,
“It’s going to be exciting with the long term development of Belmont. In the
short term basis being able to come back somewhere where really the heart of
the franchise is.”
Per Jim
Baumbach, “Yormark says Isles will take back business operations control after
the upcoming season, as per their original license agreement.”
Per Brian
Compton, “Jon Ledecky tells me future retired numbers and #Isles HOF inductions
will be decided by the alumni. "I think it's much better if it comes from
the group itself. It's much more meaningful to the guy if it's coming from his
peers."
Per
@islesblogger, An Open Letter to Jon Ledecky.
Per Brian Compton, “Hamonic: "I'll be an old guy one day and I'll back on my time as an Islander and be extremely proud of wearing that jersey because of what it means and how passionate people are here."
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