The Islanders are now in the midst of a four game losing streak after the debacle that was a 4-1 loss in Chicago Tuesday night. This is probably the worst time of year to go into a team wide slump but that is where we are now. The question at hand is, how do we fix it? Let’s start with some good news that will go a long way into solving some issues. It appears that defenseman Nick Leddy is close to returning to the lineup and hopefully that will be in New Jersey on Saturday against the Devils. This team desperately needs goalie Jaroslav Halak to return as well as new backup goalie Michael Neuvirth has been less than impressive. While, Neuvirth made some nice saves Tuesday night, he continues to let in some dreadful goals.
While the overall team performance was an abomination on Tuesday the offense continues to struggle, scoring only four goals in their last four games. Yes, they have run up against some hot goalies, but this is a team that has scored frequently against some of the best goalies in the league this season.
The offense is simply too easy to play against. They have become an east/west finesse team that cannot get bodies to the front of the net with any regularity. The only players getting to the crease with any consistently are John Tavares and Anders Lee. The Isles have been scouted well by their opponents and the opposition is clogging up the neutral zone daring the islanders to dump the puck in and work the fore-check. As of right now this team is refusing to take what the other team is giving them.
Islanders’ captain John Tavares is trying to do way too much right now and he HAS to take what the defense is giving him. Make the simple play and dump the puck in and work together as a line. I know many will tell me that his line mates won’t win any battles in the corners, but I would rather lose battles along the boards than continue to constantly turn the puck over in the neutral zone. Those turnovers lead to scoring chances and goals against.
The power play is simply a disaster right now. We can all yell and scream at the coaching staff (and they do deserve a world of criticism.) The players, however, need to execute. What we are seeing is not what is being drawn up, I find that impossible to believe. There is collective refusal to simply get pucks on net. There is way too much finesse right now. I would force this unit to play with more sandpaper by changing the personal. Take Frans Nielsen off the top unit for starters. I would play both Leddy and Boychuk at the points and go with Lee, Strome and Tavares upfront. I want to see if two dman change the chances that are being created.
We all know this team is struggling right now but this is not a lost cause. All teams go through slumps, look at Pittsburgh. It is up to the coaching staff to find the answers. We all question if they are capable of making adjustments, now is the chance for the staff right this ship. The Isles will be playing another hot goalie in Jersey Saturday night. It is simply time they find a way to win and start out working their opponents again. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles.