Ben Shelley: Islanders are down but not out after disastrous start to the season

Ben Shelley: Islanders are down but not out after disastrous start to the season
- Ben Shelley

- JohnScammo

John Tonelli for HOF

Better days are coming for the Islanders.

Trust me They are like Christmas Dinner They're DONE

Trust me They are like Christmas Dinner They're DONE
- broncohorvath

Sounds delicious.

Ben Shelley: Islanders are down but not out after disastrous start to the season
- Ben Shelley

Ain’t gonna count them out till they’re mathematically eliminated. Considering what the team has accomplished these past two seasons, the fan base owes Trotz and company that much at least.

Ain’t gonna count them out till they’re mathematically eliminated. Considering what the team has accomplished these past two seasons, the fan base owes Trotz and company that much at least.
- Wildschwein

They're done unless the NHL totally changes up the season. The three point games make it almost impossible to make up ground.

They're done unless the NHL totally changes up the season. The three point games make it almost impossible to make up ground.
- JimmyP

Almost, but not quite.

We’ve seen this team roll off 10 game win streaks before. They do that again, and they’ll be right in the thick of it.

Ain’t gonna count them out till they’re mathematically eliminated. Considering what the team has accomplished these past two seasons, the fan base owes Trotz and company that much at least.
- Wildschwein

Amen Schwein! Frohe Weihnachten!

Almost, but not quite.

We’ve seen this team roll off 10 game win streaks before. They do that again, and they’ll be right in the thick of it.
- Wildschwein

Not really. To have shot they would have to go 38-18 for the rest of the season. Even that may not be enough. So a ten game win streak wouldn't really do it. The stupid three point games mean you have to work backwards from around 97-100 points for WC2. The Isles have 22 points. That's an impossible climb.

Plus I don't see a ten game winning streak in their future.

Not really. To have shot they would have to go 38-18 for the rest of the season. Even that may not be enough. So a ten game win streak wouldn't really do it. The stupid three point games mean you have to work backwards from around 97-100 points for WC2. The Isles have 22 points. That's an impossible climb.

Plus I don't see a ten game winning streak in their future.
- JimmyP

If they rattle off 10 in a row after starting up again I’d say they have a pretty good shot at getting back Into the hunt. A big IF…but that would certainly send a statement to the league and us fans.

Trust me They are like Christmas Dinner They're DONE
- broncohorvath

Like you.

Not really. To have shot they would have to go 38-18 for the rest of the season. Even that may not be enough. So a ten game win streak wouldn't really do it. The stupid three point games mean you have to work backwards from around 97-100 points for WC2. The Isles have 22 points. That's an impossible climb.

Plus I don't see a ten game winning streak in their future.
- JimmyP

Not likely but who knows. I’ll keep the faith until I don’t anymore

Having played in the bubble last two playoffs and successfully beaten EC teams last season, but they never experienced how the rest of the league plays a younger and faster style. In spite of the knock that this is a slower physical team, truth is they have the skaters to play up tempo. This is turning into a season of figuring out how to play the newer style without shedding their defensive mindset. A team with a core between their late twenties and early thirties is still formidable once they figure this out. Ditto the development of Dobson and Wahlstrom. An off-season UFA addition of a fast skater could be a big add.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas to All
- nyisles7

And to you as well 7.

If they rattle off 10 in a row after starting up again I’d say they have a pretty good shot at getting back Into the hunt. A big IF…but that would certainly send a statement to the league and us fans.
- streaks

Even if they did win 10 in a row they'd still have a steep hill to climb. This is the reason I hate the three point games. Once a team digs a hole, it's almost impossible to get back in it. That goes for any team, not just the Isles.

Not likely but who knows. I’ll keep the faith until I don’t anymore
- Cptmjl

Staying positive is a good thing, but the math makes it impossible for me to share your optimism.

Even if they did win 10 in a row they'd still have a steep hill to climb. This is the reason I hate the three point games. Once a team digs a hole, it's almost impossible to get back in it. That goes for any team, not just the Isles.
- JimmyP

I hear ya and understand what you’re saying. It’s not likely they rattle off ten in a row, but if they came out swinging after this break and did string some wins together, I think then I believe they still have a shot. If they come out playing mediocre.500 hockey then obviously they’re done. I’m gonna keep the optimist view for a few more weeks.

Merry Christmas to everyone on here. Hope everyone has a healthy 2022 too.