Ben Shelley: 3 keys for Islanders heading into must-win Game 5

Is Wes McCauley our ref tonight?

The only issue with Lambert and the rest of the coaching staff is their inability to adjust on the fly with respect to the PP. All year we watched the same drop pass to Barzal to gain the zone and it’s simply being stopped at the blue line. The isles success has come from getting pucks deep and out working their opponents. That PP should be the same. Get the puck deep and use the extra man to win the battle and get it to the open man. It’s tough to watch PP after PP with no real threat.
- kindlyrick

The LA Kings had the fourth-best power play in the league this season, and I'm nearly certain the PP coach they brought in had been with the Isles for the previous three seasons, when they were never able to get above 22nd in the league and we were all still angry about how bad our power play was. At some point, we have to believe it's more about the execution than who's drawing up the strategy.

The LA Kings had the fourth-best power play in the league this season, and I'm nearly certain the PP coach they brought in had been with the Isles for the previous three seasons, when they were never able to get above 22nd in the league and we were all still angry about how bad our power play was. At some point, we have to believe it's more about the execution than who's drawing up the strategy.
- UIF

The pp is def about the players more so than the coaching. They are so slow and indecisive.

The LA Kings had the fourth-best power play in the league this season, and I'm nearly certain the PP coach they brought in had been with the Isles for the previous three seasons, when they were never able to get above 22nd in the league and we were all still angry about how bad our power play was. At some point, we have to believe it's more about the execution than who's drawing up the strategy.
- UIF

Once again I agree. How many more PP coaches do we need to go through before we understand that this is a personnel problem.

The pp is def about the players more so than the coaching. They are so slow and indecisive.
- Mancalledsting

This! Been saying it all season. It’s like they are trying to slow the play down which gives the PK time to adjust to anything they are doing. Incredibly frustrating to watch.

The LA Kings had the fourth-best power play in the league this season, and I'm nearly certain the PP coach they brought in had been with the Isles for the previous three seasons, when they were never able to get above 22nd in the league and we were all still angry about how bad our power play was. At some point, we have to believe it's more about the execution than who's drawing up the strategy.
- UIF

Absolutely. The execution is always on the ice. But every PP can’t be a drop pass to Barzal to gain the zone, when the canes are holding that line. It’s on the coaches to combat that and work a different strategy like getting it deep and using the extra man to dig the puck out and get it high to the open man.

Absolutely. The execution is always on the ice. But every PP can’t be a drop pass to Barzal to gain the zone, when the canes are holding that line. It’s on the coaches to combat that and work a different strategy like getting it deep and using the extra man to dig the puck out and get it high to the open man.
- kindlyrick

I hear you...but...did you see their zone entries the past few months when they don't drop the puck to Barzal?

Once again I agree. How many more PP coaches do we need to go through before we understand that this is a personnel problem.
- Cptmjl

It's so obvious by now. Bring in the 2nd Al or Scotty Bowman and the roster is still the issue.

The pp is def about the players more so than the coaching. They are so slow and indecisive.
- Mancalledsting

And the Pass First Mentality.

This! Been saying it all season. It’s like they are trying to slow the play down which gives the PK time to adjust to anything they are doing. Incredibly frustrating to watch.
- Cptmjl

Right. Other teams are whipping the puck around the O zone, down low to up high and back again. Cross ice passes through the seam for one timers. Isles don't do ANY of that because they are standing still thinking about what to do.

Right. Other teams are whipping the puck around the O zone, down low to up high and back again. Cross ice passes through the seam for one timers. Isles don't do ANY of that because they are standing still thinking about what to do.
- Mancalledsting

Everything is slow with this team.

I hear you...but...did you see their zone entries the past few months when they don't drop the puck to Barzal?
- UIF

Rick Tochet was asked about Horvat and the PP and he said Bo had success with the Canucks as the bumper and the isles are using him as the right side lefty shot. I don’t profess to be a PP guru but it ain’t working. I said before the series the isles will live and die with this PP and here we are..

Everything is slow with this team.
- ses111

Especially it’s fanbase

Absolutely. The execution is always on the ice. But every PP can’t be a drop pass to Barzal to gain the zone, when the canes are holding that line. It’s on the coaches to combat that and work a different strategy like getting it deep and using the extra man to dig the puck out and get it high to the open man.
- kindlyrick

The problem is besides Dobson there is nobody else who is willing or capable of skating the puck over the blue line. As crazy as that sounds that’s our reality.

Right. Other teams are whipping the puck around the O zone, down low to up high and back again. Cross ice passes through the seam for one timers. Isles don't do ANY of that because they are standing still thinking about what to do.
- Mancalledsting

Yep and by the time they figure it out the other team is on them already. Especially true with the Canes.

The problem is besides Dobson there is nobody else who is willing or capable of skating the puck over the blue line. As crazy as that sounds that’s our reality.
- Cptmjl

I just can’t believe that that’s the case. But even if it were, dump it in and dig it out

I just can’t believe that that’s the case. But even if it were, dump it in and dig it out
- kindlyrick

The islanders have a real hard time dumping and chasing because they’re not so good at the chasing part especially with a team like the Canes. Most of the time when they do that it’s more or less giving up possession. The 4th line is best at it due to Cizikas but the other lines it’s at best a coin flip this series.

I truly hope the Islanders keep the defense and Sorokin and entertain offers for every other player on the roster. They are just built wrong. Follow what the Devils and Sabres have done. Get something for Lee while he still has any type of value.

I truly hope the Islanders keep the defense and Sorokin and entertain offers for every other player on the roster. They are just built wrong. Follow what the Devils and Sabres have done. Get something for Lee while he still has any type of value.
- LItransplant44

Lee has a full NTC

So, uh...let's go Isles?

I'm hoping they keep the physical style, but they have to make it work for them tonight. The whole idea is to use it to take Carolina off its game and make them take penalties out of frustration; not get so aggressive that they're committing atrocities up and down the ice.

More than anything, they need sharper passes. Two or three quick passes is how they'll beat Carolina's aggressiveness, but not if those passes are always either just out of reach or into skates.

It's a long road to get back in this series, but, really, with this version of the Hurricanes, it's not an impossible task...unless this version of the Islanders keeps showing up.

So, uh...let's go Isles?

I'm hoping they keep the physical style, but they have to make it work for them tonight. The whole idea is to use it to take Carolina off its game and make them take penalties out of frustration; not get so aggressive that they're committing atrocities up and down the ice.

More than anything, they need sharper passes. Two or three quick passes is how they'll beat Carolina's aggressiveness, but not if those passes are always either just out of reach or into skates.

It's a long road to get back in this series, but, really, with this version of the Hurricanes, it's not an impossible task...unless this version of the Islanders keeps showing up.
- UIF

Also the beat up canes missing 3 top guys are beating the crap out of our healthy team.........we were ok game 1, good games 2 and 3 and awful the 4th game.

The islanders have a real hard time dumping and chasing because they’re not so good at the chasing part especially with a team like the Canes. Most of the time when they do that it’s more or less giving up possession. The 4th line is best at it due to Cizikas but the other lines it’s at best a coin flip this series.
- Cptmjl

I totally get it, but when you change up your entry it changes how they set up. As of right now it’s like all four of their PKers are at the line because all the isles do is hope Barzal can skate through it. The puck always moves faster than the person. If you get two guys skating in full speed with Barzal they can attack the puck and get it high.

I totally get it, but when you change up your entry it changes how they set up. As of right now it’s like all four of their PKers are at the line because all the isles do is hope Barzal can skate through it. The puck always moves faster than the person. If you get two guys skating in full speed with Barzal they can attack the puck and get it high.
- kindlyrick

Islanders have players outside of Barzal that can skate full speed?

Lee has a full NTC
- eichiefs9

Besides everyone else watching exactly what we are and wanting nothing to do with him. He’ll turn it on in spurts, maybe even tonight, but nobody is taking on that salary and term.