Our New York Islanders; Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

What could be better than Matt Barzal being named to the 2019 All-Star game as the representative for our New York Islanders on 1/25-1/26?

How about going 15-3-1 since 12/15 (best in NHL), good enough for 1st in the Metro and 2nd in the east. At 29-15-5 with 63 points (10 points ahead of last ssn), New York has been in every game and always given themselves a chance to win. Don’t get me wrong, they could still be better in the face-off circle (23rd at 48.4%) and the power play (24th at 16.7%), but they have been solid. The PK has come down a bit to 22nd (78.7). Defensively, they are iron-clad with 118 goals (excluding SO goals) against (57 fewer than last ssn), 1st in NHL. They have the top goalie tandem in the NHL. The NHL’s 1st star of the week, Robin Lehner is an impressive 15-7-0 with a 2.02gaa (best in NHL), a .931Sv% and 3 shutouts while Thomas Greiss is 14-8-0 in 26 games with a 2.50gaa, a .920Sv% and 2 shutouts. Lehner’s bounce-back season with New York this season has been a fantastic story to watch unfold. Offensively, they have had some amazing games, outscoring the opposition by a 33-20 margin in January (10 games) and also scoring first in their last 7 games -Hornick. The importance to stick to the game plan was evident on Tuesday. In the 3-2 S.O. loss to the Blackhawks, the Isles allowed Chicago to put 40 prime area shots on net where they limited the last three opponents to less than 20. Consider it another dose of competitive reality for the boys that should leave a bit of a burr in their collective saddle.

The Isles haven’t made the NHL playoffs since 2016, and they need a lot more of what they’ve dished out recently to keep pace in a tight Metro and an ultra-competitive eastern conference. Per Barry Trotz, “We’ve put ourselves in a position to be there,” Trotz said of playoff contention. “But for all the good work you’ve done, it can turn on you on a dime, in milliseconds. We want to get back into the postseason. We have an opportunity. If we take care of our own business, then we’ll be fine.” – Andrew Gross.

How’s that for accountability and culture change? It all comes down from Lamoriello and Trotz (791 career wins, 4th in NHL history) and the team has bought in. They are hard to play against, galvanized as a team and play with an edge that makes anyone watching they expect to win, despite the opponent. They took apart league-best, TBL (76pts) by a 5-1 score and shut down several top lines defensively. The fore and back check has been impressive, and the balance of lines, d-pairs and goaltender performance has made pre-season predictions by the NHL’s “experts” look foolish. The games at the Coliseum have been a blast to watch. Per Eric Hornick, “The Isles are 5-1-1 on Coliseum ice; they are averaging 97.5% of capacity on Long Island (including four sellouts). 14 of their remaining 17 home games will be at the Coliseum.” Their ability to comeback has also given hope to the 2nd half of the season. “The Isles are 5-3-0 when trailing in a game by a 2-0 score, defeating NYR (11/15), CBJ (12/1), DET (12/8), OTT (12/28) and STL (1/5); all five wins have been in regulation. -Hornick.

Lou Lamoriello had this to say to Arthur Staple on goaltending, “Our goaltending has been exceptional, as well. The job that Piero (Greco), Mitch (Korn) and Chris (Terreri) have done is outstanding, on both fronts, NHL and AHL. All of those things, the coaching staff, the commitment to excellence both here and in Bridgeport, that’s tangible. The unknown was how are the players going to receive different voices? Everything team-oriented, a team structure on and off the ice? And every one of them has been receptive.

On the team dynamic, “On any given night, somebody steps up and takes the role. That’s what is so great about this team. You can go right through the whole lineup, and I’ve done it a couple of times, riding in my car. I can’t think of one player that hasn’t at one time been the reason for success that night. And that’s a great feeling.”

On the coach and his staff, “The job he’s done, you can’t express it in words. Outstanding is the best one I can come up with. The whole coaching staff, their commitment to excellence is incredible.”

Looking back on the first 50, you can point to Lee as Captain, Barzal rising to the occasion, Bailey keeping it real, Eberle and Nelson making a case for themselves, Cizikas with Martin and Clutterbuck have been more relevant than ever, Komarov and Filppula making Lou look even more like a genius, The development of Mayfield and Pelech, the return of Leddy in a d-first system, Boychuk as a model defender, Pulock and Toews contributing and rapidly improving with a wholly renewed team defense and goaltending.

Our Isles return after the All-Star break against the TBL at the Coliseum. Per Andrew Gross, “It’s the start of a grueling schedule in February (14 games in 28 days), March (16 games in 31 days) and April (three games in six days).” The NHL trade deadline is February 25th. With how well the team is playing, I imagine messing with chemistry would be a dangerous thing, but that would have to be measured in what the team would get in return. Impending free agents like Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson? Is Thomas Hickey now expendable? No easy triggers to pull for me, but then again, I’m only a blogger.

In Lou we trust. Under Trotz, we fight. We are all Islanders.

Isles Notes:

Devon Toews and Michael Dal Colle have loaned to the BST. Michael Dal Colle will play in the 2019 #AHLAllStar Classic this Sunday/Monday.

Per David Pagnotta, “As the Islanders enjoy 1st place in the Metro, expect them to be active as deadline approaches. Told team’s looking to add, 1st rounder is in play; exploring rentals and guys with term … Follow-up to previous Isles tweet. Told contract talks ongoing and progressing with Lee. Not sure on timeline. No real talks with Eberle or Nelson camps.”

Per Eric Hornick, “I've been a fan of the #Isles since the beginning and have worked their telecasts since 1-21-82. Not sure I ever heard a chant for a coach like the "Barry Trotz" chant late in the game today. Maybe for Al.”

Per Carey Haber, “Josh Ho-Sang is 0-4-4 in 7 games since being sent down with ONE shot on goal. And he's been held scoreless in 5 of the 7 games.”

Per Cory Wright, “Ilya Sorokin recorded his eighth shutout of the season last week, making 27 saves in a 3-0 win over Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Jan. 15. The shutout was Sorokin's second consecutive clean sheet after recording a 19-save shutout against Traktor on Jan. 11. Overall, CSKA Moscow has recorded four consecutive shutouts between Sorokin and Lars Johansson.

Sorokin, the Islanders' 2014 third-round pick, improved to 23-5-3 this season with a 1.17 goals-against average, a .942 save percentage and eight shutouts. Sorokin's career-high for shutouts is 10.

Sorokin was named to the KHL All-Star Game, which took place this past week, but the goalie pulled out due to an unspecified injury, according to the KHL's official website. He was replaced by Johansson.”

New York Islanders: Scores Settled and The New Identity

Last time we looked at our Islanders, they were 9th in the east and about to start a 4-game road trip, meet Colorado at home and travel to face former Isles captain, John Tavares and his Maple Leafs. The Isles went into the road trip on a 3-game winning streak and were starting to elevate their game again. It turns out, they continued to impress, going 3-1 on the road trip and beat Colorado before their anticipated “reunion” with Tavares on 12/28. Head Coach, Barry Trotz imparted his usual master-crafted commentary to set the tone of play early, “They need to have some hurt.” Also said that he wants his guys to recognize that Tavares made the decision to be their teammate no longer, in the summer.” - Taub

Tavares admitted it was a strange feeling and seemed a bit uncomfortable at his Toronto press conference prior to the game. That was nothing compared to how uncomfortable he would be after a 4-0 route by his old team. The Islanders were led by a natural Hat trick from that ‘kid that won the Calder’ and a solid performance by Robin Lehner in the Isles net for his 2nd shutout of the season. We all knew the Isles were starting to win with Barzal contributing in the assist column, but we also know how much better the Islanders will be as Barzal continues to add goals the way he knows how. With the evolution of his complete multi-zone game, Barzal has really helped the organization move on from the last 9 years without a second thought. Per Andrew Gross, Barzal - “Anytime you're coming to Toronto, Hockey Night in Canada, playing in the so-called Hockey mecca, you're trying to play a good game. You've got to be on your game against a team like that. You could tell before the game everyone was dialed in." Barry Trotz tied (782 wins) Islanders’ legend, Al Arbour for 4th place on the NHL all-time coaching wins list, with the team’s 4-0 win, per Eric Hornick.

While the Isles game on New Year’s Eve wasn’t quite at the same level of emotion for many, it was a nervous time for Isles starting goaltender, Robin Lehner. Lehner was open to returning to Buffalo after last season but the Sabres chose not to exercise an option to extend the 6’4” goaltender. Lehner has taken charge of the personal challenges in his private and professional life, overcame several obstacles and has now refocused to better himself as a person and an NHL goaltender. And for that, he deserves a lot of credit.

Unlike Tavares, Lehner played a major part in the result of a game against his former team and backstopped the Islanders in another well-played effort to get his 5th straight win and helped the Isles extend their winning streak (4 in a row and 7 of their last 8) with a 3-1 win against Buffalo. Lehner had an active shutout streak of 1:77:36 before allowing a Kyle Okposo power-play goal against in the Sabres game. Lehner is 9-6-0-3 with a 2.14gaa and a .930Sv%. He is the NHL leader in goals against average and Sv%.

The Islanders are 2 points better than they were at this point last season. Although their goal scoring totals are down, but still at a +12 goals differential, the more defensively responsible Islanders have allowed an impressive 31 fewer goals against. A credit to Lou Lamoreillo, Barry Trotz, Mitch Korn and Pierro Greco for sure. With the win against Buffalo, The Isles helped Trotz pass Al Arbour on the all-time wins list (783) for an NHL coach.

Injuries dictated that Devon Toews, Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle would suit up to help the evolving Islanders meet the challenge of an 82-game season and have a shot to impress. They have looked very good and have helped solidify team depth for New York. The Isles are 6-1-0 with Ho-Sang (now getting time on top line) and 3-0-0 with Toews in the lineup. Dal Colle has been awesome in Bridgeport and has really evolved his pro game in his 4 games with the Islanders. Don’t forget, prospects like Koivula, Aho & Vande Sompel continue to evolve in the Isles system under Brent Thompson.

Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield continue to be a major part of the Isles improving defense. Johnny Boychuk, Leo Komarov, Brock Nelson, Casey Cizikas and Anthony Beauvillier have stood out to me from the veteran core over the last few weeks. Here’s hoping that Valtteri Filppula returns to the line up soon after leaving the game due to injury in last night. He could possibly be the Isles signing of the season.

The Islanders enter 2019 in the final wildcard spot with a 21-13-4 record and 46 points. At 38 games, they have a game or two at hand against all the teams above them in the conference except for Washington. In the coming days, they face CHI (1/3), STL (1/5), CAR (1/8) before a home-at-home against the Rangers on the 10^th and 12^th of January.

This is seriously getting good.

Happy New Year, Isles Fans. Here’s to a better 2019.

Isles Notes:

Matt Barzal was named NHL 2^nd star of the week.