BY: DEWEY CROCS
Just nine games into this new shortened season, the New York Islanders sit 3-4-2 and tied for last in the East Division with 8 points. A team that was just two wins from a Stanley Cup Final appearance last year has come out of the gates looking like…HAHT GAHBAGIOOOO!
Buffalo was coming into town this week for two games on the island. But because of the snowstorm and the New Jersey Devils (who BUF just played against) adding 14 players to the COVID protocol list, the league was able to complete COVID contact tracing and protocols appropriately. Which then led to the league postponing the Sabres’ games until Feb. 8. BUT, let me tell you, something folks. A few extra days between games for the Islanders could be something dangerous for their opponents.
May I remind you that before the season went on a pause in March of 2020, the Islanders were on a 0-4-3 skid? The six months in between games, time for Pageau (he won the teams’ ping pong tournament in the bubble) and Andy Greene to get more acclimated to their new team, and time in the bubble, the team looked refreshed, focused, and hungry when the playoffs started in August. Grabbing series wins against Florida, Washington, and Philadelphia. All of which led them to a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals and losing six games against Tampa Bay. That’s 22 playoff wins for the boys in blue and orange. Just a boring hockey team winning playoff games, right? Despite the loss in the ECF, the team gave their fans hope, a reason to believe in something, all while the world was being flipped upside down during the pandemic.
The team is lacking in scoring right now. Their powerplay is abysmal at best, and the team is taking costly penalties late in the game. This “break” couldn’t come at a better time for them. It gives them five days to reassess everything and get back to that playoff mentality that they have. Trotz knows he has a dangerous team. The team just needs to focus and start playing to their identity.
Three things to look out for:
The second line’s resurgence: With Anthony Beauvillier being on the IR, the team has missed a key part of their offense. Beau is reported to play as soon as next week, possibly against the Penguins this weekend. Beauvillier has an intriguing shot from the point on the power play and is one of the better forecheckers on the team. Welcoming Beau back to the 2nd line, along with Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey finding their groove, this line could spark the offense and give the team what’s lacking..goals. Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier lead the team in goals during the playoffs (8), and Josh Bailey led the team in points with 20. We need this type of energy from this line again.
Linemates for Pageau: Barry Trotz has struggled to find a comfortable combination for Pageau on the 3rd line. We finally got to see a line of Bellows-Pageau-Wahlstrom for the first time the other night. A line we had only heard click so well during training camp last month. Oliver Wahlstrom and Kieffer Bellows are two of the Islanders’ top forward prospects. Wahlstrom showed signs of an offensive flair, skating through the neutral zone with the puck into the offensive end of the ice and making plays. And he’s got a goal under his belt as well from his debut. Bellows is quick and has shown he’s not afraid to shoot the puck. Something the team needs more of. The kids are the future, and the scoring needs to come from in-house this year. The Leo Komarov days are over.
Noah Dobson contributing: 21-year-old Noah Dobson is tied for first in points for a defenseman on the Islanders with one goal and four assists for five points. The first-round pick in 2018 (12th overall), Dobson is now getting almost 20 minutes a night. With both Boyhuck and Toews missing on the roster, Dobson and the team knew he was the next man up. With 3 of his 5 points coming on the powerplay, it’s going to be fun to see how he develops. He moves the puck well, and he seems comfortable carrying the puck through the neutral zone, which allows him to contribute more offensively.
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