12 Thoughts With 12 Games To Go
Stefen Rosner shares his thoughts with the Islanders' regular season coming to an end.
The New York Islanders have 12 games to go in the regular season and find themselves one point back of the second wild-card spot after some shenanigans.
Here are 12 thoughts with 12 games to go:
1. Islanders can’t leave these tight games up to officials. Back-to-back games, the Islanders had chances to close it down in the third and could not.
2. They need more from Anthony Duclair. He’s looked stronger and faster, so the injury excuse is wearing off. He has two goals over his last 13 games and has been too nonexistent.
3. If Noah Dobson is going to be playing in key moments, he needs to be more aggressive on the puck carrier. The two goals he was on the ice for last night came because he gave shooters too much space.
4. Don’t get me wrong. Hudson Fasching does everything right but finish. However, should Boqvist stay in, as he seems to just produce when he is in the lineup as a forward? Through two games playing as a forward, he has three assists.
5. With the way Engvall is playing, he should get a look with Pageau and Lee, swapping spots with Duclair. He has two goals and an assist over his last five games and just looks dangerous, especially off the rush.
6. The good news about this wild-card race, as opposed to last year, is that the Islanders actually have regulation wins, tied for the second most amongst teams fighting for WC2.
7. The power play needs to help put teams away. The last four losses have been one-goal games, and the PP is 0-for-7.
8. Late in the game, when the other team is pressing, the Islanders need to bear down in front of the goal. Against Calgary, they didn’t tie up Huberdeau’s stick, and against Columbus, they didn’t clear the front, giving their goaltenders zero chance to make the save. The goaltenders, especially Sorokin, have raised their game, so let him see the puck, and it’s a good chance the puck isn’t going in.
9. Blowing leads was something that became the club’s identity in the first half. It cannot come back to the forefront at this point in the season. They’ve worked too hard to see all that work backfire.
10. Hey, the penalty kill has been a bright spot, killing off 14 of 16 since the Kings game.
11. Of the remaining 14 games, 7 are currently against teams a playoff spot. Seven of the 14 are inter-division matchups, and 6 of the 14 are at home. The fans have to show up for these games, no question about it.
12. Does Sorokin play the rest of the games, or does Hogberg get two games with two back-to-backs? I say yes, at least one this weekend, but Sorokin’s been so good there’s an argument to be made about letting him play both.
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So disappointing how few fans are in the stands for consequential games. Last night had to be among the worst for attendance all year. While fighting for a playoff spot! This team is not perfect but gives its all every night. Fans should do better!
The big question to push on ALL three of these NO GOALS (two in LA and last night) is if this is game seven of a play-off series, do these goals count or not. The entire world (press, execs, etc...) has to be asking that question because what happens today can NOT happen in May or June. And since it doesn't happen in May or June, it should NOT happen during the 82 game season either.