Everyone is looking at the goaltending and defense as problems. The issue is that so much focus is placed on the goaltending and defense that everyone forgets that the forwards are INCONSISTENT.
If there was more consistency out of the forward lineup besides Barzal and maybe Ebbs...This team would be 3 to 4 wins better. Instead they are struggling and if the defense and goaltending fail...it is a lose.
There are too many of the same forward style of play. Lee, Ebbs, Bailey, Nelson, AB, Walhstrom, DalCole, Bellows, CC, Clutter, Marts. Not enough balanced scoring. NO ENOUGH CONSISTENCY.
- Nfdbulldawg

Like Lou has said and we saw in the 2020 playoffs, when the Isles are effective, they win games 3-1, not 6-4. This is a team built to smother other team's opportunities and capitalize on their mistakes, thus winning tight games. So when there are key assignment mistakes in the d-zone or weak(ish) goals given up it has a major impact on this team. We've been fortunate that the goaltending has been strong for the most part, however the assignment misses have occurred on a nightly basis. Couple that with the fact that certain players are not producing as expected and it turns a winning team into a mediocre one.

On the second point, I'm not sure I could agree with calling those forwards the same style of players. I wouldn't lump Lee in with say Bailey and Nelson, or Wahlstrom with dal Colle. Wahlstrom to me is precisely the type of player the Isles need with Barzal, a guy who knows how to get to the right spots and has a shoot first mentality. I think he's getting better there and will have a far greater impact soon. Until then, we really lack a true shooting threat up front, save for Eberle every few games.

Isles couldn’t get panarin to play for them even though they offered more money what makes you think ovi would EVER sign with the isles!
- Bobd62

Ovechkin has a tremendous relationship with the Capital One folks and Caps ownership. It's highly unlikely he's going anywhere

Like Lou has said and we saw in the 2020 playoffs, when the Isles are effective, they win games 3-1, not 6-4. This is a team built to smother other team's opportunities and capitalize on their mistakes, thus winning tight games. So when there are key assignment mistakes in the d-zone or weak(ish) goals given up it has a major impact on this team. We've been fortunate that the goaltending has been strong for the most part, however the assignment misses have occurred on a nightly basis. Couple that with the fact that certain players are not producing as expected and it turns a winning team into a mediocre one.

On the second point, I'm not sure I could agree with calling those forwards the same style of players. I wouldn't lump Lee in with say Bailey and Nelson, or Wahlstrom with dal Colle. Wahlstrom to me is precisely the type of player the Isles need with Barzal, a guy who knows how to get to the right spots and has a shoot first mentality. I think he's getting better there and will have a far greater impact soon. Until then, we really lack a true shooting threat up front, save for Eberle every few games.
- keaner17

Love to see Wahlstrom get a shot on the first line in spots.

Islanders have a new arena next year and they are a goal scorer away or two from winning the cup. Who in there right mind wants to go on the rags. They are a dumpster fire joke

Islanders have a new arena next year and they are a goal scorer away or two from winning the cup. Who in there right mind wants to go on the rags. They are a dumpster fire joke
- Hockeyislife

Keep drinking the kool aid bruh!

New blog.

I think the lack of ANY consistent production outside of Barzal's line (and Pageau) is a huge issue. Nelson and Beau (I realize he's coming off injury) have been beyond inconsistent. Beau has 0 goals in 8 games. They need to be way better. Separately, we are not getting any offensive production from our d-men. I think they have 2 goals from all defensemen in 17 games. The playoff success was a result of all four lines and d-men chipping in goals. They need to get that balance back ASAP.