Update: As I just post this, John Tavares will be out today. The team will make announcement post game but one has to assume he is the latest cold victim. Ryan Strome, Steve Bernier and Taylor Beck are all out for warmups and two of those three will dress
The Islanders return to the ice this afternoon in Newark as they face-off against a red hot New Jersey Devils. No pun intended. As the Isles take the ice today, the flu bug has taken over the locker room. Ryan Strome is the latest victim of the bug and he will be a game time decision. It is unclear if someone else has fallen ill because the Islanders have recalled Taylor Beck from Bridgeport on an emergency basis.
Jaroslav Halak will be between the pipes this afternoon as he has bounced back from the bug that sidelined him earlier in the week. New York also hopes to bounce back from a dreadful third period that saw them fall to the Hurricanes by a score 3-2 in overtime.
Through 10 games the Isles are off to a good start with a record of 6-2-2. Their power play is much improved and their penalty kill is tops in the league. These are encouraging signs to start off the season. The only real Achilles Heel of the team has been its play in the neutral zone.
There have simple been too many turnovers at the opponents blue line. The likes of John Tavares, Ryan Strome and Kyle Okposo have to make the simple play and their constant refusal to do so is why this team goes through stretches where they do not possess the puck.
This is far more fixable than trying to revamp your special teams. When the top line is off or when Tavares is struggling this is where their play goes south, in the neutral zone. With that being said this afternoon should be a strong test for the Islanders as the Devils are playing some very good hockey and finding the back of the net with ease.
For a team that everyone thought would struggle to score New Jersey has gotten huge contributions from Adam Henrique and Mike Cammalleri. If the Isles want to come away with two points today they have to make better decisions in the neutral zone. If they can cut out the turnovers they should be able to generate scoring chances and their advantage playing strong hockey at even strength.