What a difference seven minutes make. The Islanders were headed towards another matinee mess before Andrew Ladd's first goal of the year cut the Blues lead in half. A typical Anders Lee goal with the extra attacker, a minute left in regulation, sent the game to overtime. They managed to secure a point which will make the long trip to California a bit more enjoyable.
Here are a few thoughts from the first three games:
The power play is up to it's old tricks. The Islanders did not convert in six opportunities on Monday, bringing their drought to 10. They are one of six teams who have yet to score on the power play. They had a golden opportunity in the game when they were on the man advantage for over four and a half straight minutes, a minute and 23 seconds of that came on the two-man advantage. The first unit got a couple of chances. The second unit has been an outright disaster.
Someone who could help is Ryan Pulock, who is the lone Islander not to dress this season. Head coach Doug Weight said that Pulock will get in on the trip. Opponents have simply not respected any Islander shots from the point. That will definitely change by inserting the 2013 first rounder. Sure his game has deficiencies, namely his play in the defensive zone and his pace at this level, but can easily replace any of the bottom three defensemen.
That brings me to one of the top-three defensemen, Calvin de Haan, who has been awful to start the season. His three costly turnovers to start the season all led to goals and looked out of position on Vladimir Tarasenko's second goal of the game. The impending unrestricted free agent is beginning to hurt his value. So far, I know it's only three games, but Garth Snow looks smart in low-balling him.
Where was Josh Ho-Sang in the first three minutes of overtime? Ho-Sang is a highlight reel waiting to happen each time he touches the puck. The open ice could have worked to the Isles' advantage. Weight offered up his thoughts on Ho-Sang's game. “Josh, it was one of those games where when he was on the ice, someone was getting a chance — either on their team or our team,… Weight grinned. “We’ve gotta clean that up. He’s electric, he’s fun and he gets excited.…
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment CEO, Brett Yormark recently poke with Sports Business Daily's John Lombardo. Naturally the Islanders came up. "The economics just don't work," Yormark said. "It's a Long Island team trying to create a fan base in Brooklyn, and to date it has been met with very modest success and not at the numbers we have hoped."
What did Yormark expect? Barclays, who had two years to prepare for the Islanders arrival, seemed surprised when the team showed up. Nothing was done to make the team. From the ice quality right down to the name of the team store. Yormark did use the term "Long Island team", which could be a way, no of course it's a way of saying that the Isles should be back at Nassau Coliseum, which is owned by Barlcays. The team submitted a bid for a new arena in Belmont. They can opt out of their "iron-clad" 25-year lease in January.
Ledecky on Yormark’s comments re Barclays/NYI economics not working. “I guess he’s saying the people on their side didn’t make a good deal.…
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) October 10, 2017
Islanders owner Jon Ledecky reiterated the team's desire for Belmont at a luncheon today. “We have blinders on for Belmont,… Ledecky said at a lunch with reporters. “Our sole focus is on Belmont. Everything else is noise.…
Ledecky said the team will play in Brooklyn for the 2018-19 season.