I’m starting to believe that I am being watched. I was about 800 words into an epic rant about this team’s recent three game losing streak and my computer suddenly did a windows update and shut down, causing me to start over from scratch. Clearly the Islanders are to blame. Before I get to my second attempt at this rant, there is a little housekeeping in regards to tonight’s game against the Blackhawks. Jaroslav Halak will be back in net tonight, and in shockingly good news, Griffin Reinhart will play and Brian Strait will be scratched.

Alright, here are my observations from the recent Islanders three game losing streak. Let us start with the coaching staff. Islander Head Coach Jack Capuano continues to shows that he is unwilling to change his game plan in-game. The coaching staff always preaches “playing the system,” however there are going to be nights where the system doesn’t work or the system breaks down. What do you do when that happens? You have to have some built in flexibility and there has to be some willingness to switch up the lines when the team looks flat. It is quite possible that Capuano gets his in-game coaching skills from the directions on a shampoo bottle. Roll four lines, rinse, repeat. It is the definition of madness, let’s keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect some different results.

The special teams on this team is a disaster as well. You can make the playoffs with average special teams, but you aren’t making a serious run with a penalty kill that resembles a dumpster fire. Whatever is in the playbook for the PK, it needs to be shredded and their simply has to be a change in defensive structure.

The lineup has been puzzling as well but at least they got it right tonight, benching Strait. We all know that Brian Strait is not an NHL caliber defenseman. I’m sorry, in my opinion he just isn’t. There are better internal options in Bridgeport to take his place on the roster. With that being said if he does have to play, why is he playing on the first defensive pairing? It is simply maddening.

This team also needs to spend some serious time practicing face-offs. The centers on this team are getting dominated in the dot and it led directly to the loss in Minnesota. It is really that simple, when you don’t win face-offs, you don’t control possess the puck and you can’t establish a forecheck. When this happens you spend the entire game chasing the play and nights like the one in Minnesota happen.

The players on this team need to stop underperforming as well at it starts at the top with the team’s captain John Tavares. In my opinion his play at even strength the past two months has been appalling. I spoke to a source from within the organization who said that he is completely healthy, he is not playing hurt and his injury from the Olympics last season is not a factor in his play this year. Right now, Tavares is a turnover machine. I mean he could be baker he is creating so many turnovers. At times, I am convinced that Jason Blake is back on the Islanders and he is wearing number 91. I’m sorry I can’t be quiet about his play or the play of Kyle Okposo. It is simply too cute. The turnovers in the neutral zone and at the opposing blueline are leading to goals and it is killing this team.

We all know that Tavares has the ability to make the amazing play but it is his unwillingness to make the simple play that is killing this team. If this team is going anywhere the Islanders need John Tavares to be a more responsible hockey player especially in his own end and for the love of god can you win a faceoff as well? You may think I am being hard on the captain but this play is simply unacceptable and nobody gets a pass in my book. It looks to me that Tavares and Okposo are trying to do way too much and their frustration is carrying over to the rest of the team.

The development of Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome has overshadowed the struggles of the top line but if this team is going anywhere it needs its stars to play like stars. There is simply no chemistry on that top line. We all see it. So why wont the coaching staff shake up the lines for a couple of games?

I don’t want to sound too hard on this team. What is going on right now is fixable. The team needs to get healthy and the return of Casey Cizikas, Johnny Boychuk and Travis Hamonic will help this team out a lot. The team needs to control the puck like they did during their hot streak in November. When you win the possession game you dictate the forecheck. The Isles also desperately need their best players to simplify their game and stop playing with too much finesse. All of these things are fixable, it is up to the coaching staff to push the right buttons and correct these problem. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.

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