After last year’s disappointing first round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders find themselves backed against a wall after their playoff chances drop again. After their concerning pre-season games, hopefully they can bounce back and prove skeptical fans wrong.

SEASON PREVIEW

One thing the Islanders always do well is fight, whether it be fist fights or fighting to stay alive during their annual postseason scare. With a dogfight to the finish line, the Islanders just squeaked into playoffs with two points in their 82nd game to get the wild card slot over the Penguins. After it looked like they might fight their way through the first round they ultimately lost in the sixth game 2-1 in overtime. 

Although the Islanders only have a 42% chance of making the playoffs right now, the odds are starting to increase. With the Islanders 2-0-0 they are slated to play one of their division’s toughest rivals on Friday October 20th, the New Jersey Devils. The 1-1-1 Devils had an impressive win against the Islanders in pre-season which was a sign of trouble for the Islanders. The Islanders dressed an all NHL team with lots of 4+ year veterans and the Devils dressed all rookies and AHL players. The Devils shut the Islanders out 3-0 in what would be their 4th loss and final pre-season game. 

Compared to last year, the Islanders have a fairer schedule. Last year they would have consecutive games against very tough teams. This year the schedule is more spread out and there are only two long road trips that could affect their chances. 

PLAYER ADDITIONS

The big question for this year is, how does this team compare to last season’s team? It’s an easy question, they don’t. This is the exact same team as they entered the season with last year plus the addition of Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall. The Islanders traded for Horvat and Engvall before the trade deadline in March. From the time Horvat was added to the time the Islanders finished their season, he played below average.

   Before being traded to the Island Horvat was a top center/forward in the league, with incredible shooting abilities and had already tallied 31 goals in 49 games. All signs pointed up for him, but in his start with the Islanders he only scored 15 goals the rest of the season, when he was projected to score 25. 

Although Horvat was underwhelming with the Islanders, after some time to adjust to the New York atmosphere he could be big in a run this year. On the other hand Engvall proved to be a clutch player. Not only is Engvall one of the best/fastest skaters in the league but he is good under pressure. Although he only scored five goals and four assists he was a big factor on the forecheck. He was able to get the puck up the ice quickly and score very timely goals for the Islanders late in the season when they were desperately needed. He did exactly what he needed to do for the time that he was given. General Manager Lou Lamorello said this about Engvall, “Pierre is a very versatile player. He can play any one of the forward positions.” He did exactly what he was brought in to do. 

WEAKNESSES

Regardless of whether Islander fans think that “This is the year!” the charts still show there are severe holes in the Islanders depth. When a big player goes down the fact is that there are not enough guys with enough talent to perform in their absence. Oliver Wahlstrom, a first round pick in the 2018 draft, went down last year with a torn ACL and is just now returning to the ice. Who did the Islanders put in place for him? No one, the front office tried to fill the space with AHL players who aren’t developed enough yet in the minors. By doing this and bringing these players up, the islanders lost a year of club control over them. This seems like nothing now but can prove to be costly in 5 years time. 

These holes can make or break the Islanders season and only being good in the Metro division is not good enough anymore. While all the other teams were out making moves this summer, the Islanders sat there like a little kid waiting for dinner, waiting for a player to come to them instead of making their own moves.

STRONG SUITS

Something the Islanders never struggled with is their defense and are known in the league as one of the best defensive teams. Usually during the regular season being a defensively-focused team makes it difficult for you to win games, but because they don’t let in a lot of goals they manage to get the wins. The defense, led by goalie and Vezina Trophy runner-up Ilya Sorokin, had a career season last year. His record was 31-22-7, which might seem mediocre compared to the other Vezina finalists but his numbers are really what count. He had a 2.34 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and an NHL-best six shutouts in 62 games. Many compare him to a prime Henrick Lundqvist who is a Hall of Fame Goalie. In only his third year on the Islanders he outperformed the veteran goalie Semyon Varlamov and took the starting job. 

Brock Nelson and Oliver Whalstrom can prove to be instrumental in this year’s push for playoffs. They are extremely talented players that have always performed for the Islanders. Unfortunately last year Wahlstrom only played 35 of 82 games. In that time it is hard to make a prediction on how his next season will go but he is projected to be a top the lineup this year and be a big producer at a winger spot. Nelson also had an incredible season last year earning his first All-Star selection. He would go to play alongside a new teammate Bo Horvat in the All-Star Games. Nelson played in all 82 games last season and scored 36 goals and 39 assists. This was his career high in goals and approaches a career milestone of 500 goals this season. Last year Nelson ranked among forwards like Stanley Cup Champion Nathan MacKinnon.  

BOTTOM LINE

The Islanders line-up is made for playoffs. They are a great team but, it all goes to waste if they don’t make the post-season. With their chances still below 60% it is hard to say what will happen with the Islanders. Can they beat the odds? We will just have to watch and find out…