The Islanders have now lost eight of their last ten games and sit at the bottom of the newly created Metropolitan Division. It’s a place they have been familiar with and one they thought they would never see again. But here they are, a “fragile” team as their head coach has called them.
“Fragile” is not a good word for hockey players who are known for their inhuman abilities to overcome pain or odds. This Islanders team has lost its ‘confidence,’ and confidence is that intangible that made them scrape and claw their way into the playoffs last season. Without it -- this is what we have -- again.
Perhaps the lack of ‘confidence’ is what makes Michael Grabner over think his moves every time he gets a breakaway chance. Is it a lack of confidence then makes Kyle Okposo dipsy doodle with the puck in the corner instead of taking a shot? Probably.
But what about the rest of the team? John Tavares has no lack of confidence in his ability. He hasn’t had to since he was 14-years-old. But he can’t do it alone. Thomas Vanek doesn’t have a lack of confidence, but as he sits on the bench huffing and puffing after each shift maybe he has an issue with a different ‘c’ word: conditioning. Vanek is not ‘fragile.’ He and Tavares tried putting this team on their backs last night in Philly to pull them out of this hole they are digging. It was a futile effort.
I would love to blame the Isles woes on bad officiating. Certainly missed calls could have a part in it, but nope. Every team plays in the same league with the same officials.
Is it the coaching staff’s fault? How many times has the Isles fan base called for Jack Capuano’s firing only to see him turn the team around and have them start winning? Capuano is not a bad coach. He’s not a coach that has lost the team. The team has lost themselves.
Even more problematic is the team, who is low in the attendance ratio of the NHL (thank you attendance police for perpetually pointing that fact out) is now also losing the support of it’s most ardent fans. And that is a big problem.
The Isles will have a four game home stand at the Coliseum. There are specialty nights planned for the fans, but will that be enough to make up for the bottom dwelling standings once again? Will the cheers turn to chants of “We Suck” once again? How much will that do for the “fragile” team on the ice?
The Isles problems are many, foremost being injury to key players. I’m talking to you Lubomir Visnovsky. Now Thomas Hickey, who has had numerous mental lapses, is being evaluated today on the Isles day off.
A change has to come, but personally, I don’t think it’s behind the bench. Although a Peter Laviolette return would make me laugh and laugh and laugh.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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