Our Islanders are 44-26-7 with 95 points, currently 2nd in Metro and 6th in the east. They have made some gains since we last talked Isles hockey. They’ve remained close to Washington in the fight for first in the Metro, beat Tavares twice, have the most shutouts by an NHL team this season with 10 (Greiss and Lehner with 5 each), Brock Nelson’s 50 points, and Barry Trotz even reached the 1,600 games coached mark. There’s also buzz about a talented assortment of KHL players and intriguing prospects showing interest in playing on the Island. With the back and forth rumors of prospects Anatoliy Golyshev or Ilya Sorokin showing interest, Oliver Wahlstrom possibly joining the organization after not returning to BC, or even Bobo Carpenter signing an ELC, the Isles are poised to make even more noise leading into the summer an on to next season. While that’s great, we are still playing for what can be done to make the playoffs, win the first division title since 87’-88’ with an opportunity to gather the most points (now tied at 77 games - Hornick) by an Isles team in the post-cup era and strive for home ice in the 1st round.
With close to a .500 record in last 20 games and being on the short end of lop-sided shut outs in 3 of their last 5, the Islanders are not helping their playoff hopes of clinching or securing 1st round home ice. They need much more to make a push in the east. The magic number is down to 5, and they could clinch by the weekend, but not if they continue to have difficulty scoring (now 22nd in NHL with 2.70 gpg) and the power play continues to be a no show, scoring only once in last 37 attempts. If they continue to lag behind in faceoff wins (28th at 47.6%) and take bad penalties (a once dominant PK now 18th in the league at 80.2%) when a large part of their game is less than it’s been all season. Things do not get easier in the final 5 games against Winnipeg tomorrow, then Buffalo, Toronto, Florida and Washington to finish things off in dramatic fashion.
I’m doggedly confident in the management and coaching (maybe except for Gomez), but the players need to renew their accountability throughout the locker room and answer their challenges in each big game from here on out. If they don’t, a call-up or two should be made to bring some hunger and desperation into their game. The Islanders are good. They are the best team we’ve had since the ’92 squad and have an opportunity to prove it by finishing strong, righting their game and making a splash in the postseason. Fingers crossed.
I live in Putnam County New York. That’s over an hour from the city, even more to Brooklyn and usually 2+ hours from Uniondale. While I often can’t make as many games as I would like, I also miss the booster club events, and the Isles tailgates in a big way. And I’ve always wanted to get an Isles meet-up started up here in the Hudson Valley. A place for local fans in the heart of Ranger’s country to gather and celebrate our die-hard fandom for the squad we cheer for. As you know, it’s been tough for me even to write articles, never mind travel anywhere to see or watch a game this season because of my family obligations. But I think that’s about to change, at least in part.
I’ve officially organized the first New York Islanders Mid-State Meet Up on April 4th. The Isles play the Florida Panthers, and I invite any of the faithful around the tri-state area to meet me and any other Isles fans who come out to Players Restaurant & Sports Bar at the Brewster Ice Arena on 63 Fields Lane in Brewster, New York next Thursday. Players will offer drink specials and even offer a 10% discount on appetizers & platters to anyone wearing a New York Islanders logo for the Meet Up.
Hope to see you there and who knows, it could even become a thing for the 2019 playoffs and beyond.
Isle be there.
Isles Notes:
Robin Lehner: 42 games (39 starts): 22-12-5, 2.17 GAA, .928 save pct, 5 shutouts, Thomas Greiss: 41 games (37 starts): 22-13-2, 2.29 GAA, .926 save pct, 5 shutouts.
Andrew Ladd (ACL) out four to five months with torn ACL, expects to be available for training camp.
Per Rob Taub, “Asked Jon Ledecky about a possible date about Belmont groundbreaking, he said that it no matter what, it will be after the Belmont Stakes. Said that no way it can be done before. Also said he’s still “banking” on the building to be ready by the start of the 21-22 season.”
