The Islanders were able to defeat the Dallas Stars on Saturday by a score of 7-5. In this defense optional game, it brought back memories of the mid 80’s or something you currently only find on PlayStation or Xbox. We can dissect how awful the Islanders defense was and how average goalie Chad Johnson played, but the Dallas Stars are a darn good team too and their defense and goaltending were just as equally awful. Two points are two points and there are no style points, but the Islanders need to cut down on their goals against and play better hockey in their own zone moving forward.
One stat that was encouraging was the fact that the Islanders scored 7 goals and John Tavares was held pointless. Frans Nielsen led the way scoring a natural hat trick in the third period leading the Isles to their sixth win of the season. The team will return to the Coliseum ice, tomorrow night, to take on the Winnipeg Jets.
I don’t really want to harp on the Islanders defense, but I’m going to for a minute. I understand the team has had a revolving door of defensemen so far this season and while the goaltending has been good, there have been a few soft goals that have found the back of the net. With all that being said, this team has to tighten up, defensively, and that starts with the coaching staff.
We saw the Isles play and succeed at a more conservative style last season when injuries caused them to field an AHL roster. This team has plenty of offense and can be very creative offensively. There needs to be some direction in their own end. They have to find a way to eliminate the mistakes in the neutral zone and the breakdowns.
I’m not pointing blame at the defensemen per say; it’s the structure and game plan that leaves me puzzled on some nights. Many of the forwards have been dreadful in the neutral zone and in their own end. The forwards simply have to be better, defensively. The penalty kills have made some slow strides but that also must improve as well. I’m not asking for this team to play the left wing lock or trap, I just want to see more structure, defensively.
I am more than pleased that the Isles have won six of their first eight games but there is plenty of work to still be done. This team cannot live on outscoring an opponent every night. They need to be able to win some 1-0 or 2-1 games. While these games have been extremely entertaining, this style of play is not conducive to long term success or going very deep in the playoffs.
Obviously, if the Islanders can get healthy and have some consistency in their lineup, that will help their goals against, but just a slightly conservative forecheck could go a long way into reducing all the scoring chances. This team doesn’t have to be a top five defensive team but it can’t survive being a bottom five team either. I’m simply asking for average. As always, for more on all things hockey, please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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