Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20 Follow HockeyBuzz Islanders on Twitter: @HB_Islanders
The New York Islanders had a positive second week of the season, winning both of their games and improving to a 3-1 record. Here’s the weekly recap.
ISLANDERS BEAT BRUINS AND DEVILS
The New York Islanders won both of their games this week, defeating the Boston Bruins 1-0 and the New Jersey Devils 4-1. They’ll have a rematch with the Devils tonight.
JOSH BAILEY ADDED, THEN REMOVED FROM COVID PROTOCOL LIST
Islanders forward Josh Bailey was the lone player on the team to be placed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol list. However, he wasn’t on the list for long, being removed the day after he was originally added to it and didn’t miss any games.
As for this week’s poll questions, here are some of the results, along with my thoughts on how they turned out:
QUESTION: Do you think the Islanders will finish ahead of the Bruins in the standings this season?
(Votes: 74)
No: 53% Yes: 47%
It was a close vote but I do think the Bruins will likely have the edge on the Islanders. New York is one of the top teams in the East Division but Boston is likely the favourite to win the division.
QUESTION: Are you surprised with Semyon Varlamov’s strong start to the season?
(Votes: 64)
No: 83% Yes: 17%
Varlamov had a strong first season with the Islanders but one goal on 82 shots so far is very impressive. The Islanders don’t give up a ton of quality chances but Varlamov has been great so far.
QUESTION: Do you think the Islanders will finish ahead of the Devils in the standings this season?
(Votes: 117)
Yes: 74% No: 26%
Jack Hughes may be off to a great start and the Devils seem to be more competitive than expected but the Islanders still have the more well-rounded roster and their defense group is quite a bit stronger than New Jersey’s blue line.
QUESTION: Are you happy with the Islanders’ start to the season?
(Votes: 71)
Yes: 92% Don’t feel strongly either way: 6% No: 3%
The Islanders had one rough game but other than that, they’ve looked great. Picking up a win over Boston was huge and they’ve have a chance to improve to a 4-1 record tonight against the Devils.
***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Islanders Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow @HB_Islanders for updates on articles, Islanders news, etc.***
OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM JANUARY:
Islanders won't invite Josh Ho-Sang to training camp Predicting the Islanders' taxi squad Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (January 3) East Division Comparison: Islanders/Rangers East Division Comparison: Islanders/Flyers Matias Rajanimi earns Bronze Medal with Finland at World Juniors Analyzing Matt Martin's reported four-year extension East Division Comparison: Islanders/Penguins Islanders re-sign Mathew Barzal Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (January 10) East Division Comparison: Islanders/Penguins East Division Comparison: Islanders/Capitals Islanders waive Leo Komarov, details of Andy Greene’s contract emerge Islanders announce roster and taxi squad New York Islanders 2020-21 Season Preview Islanders open season with win over Rangers Islanders loan Josh Ho-Sang, details of Schneider/Timashov contracts emerge East Division Comparison: Islanders/Bruins Varlamov starts season with back-to-back shutouts, Islanders beat Bruins East Division Comparison: Islanders/Devils Josh Bailey added to COVID Protocol list Islanders beat Devils 4-1