Keeping Things In Perspective
The Islanders are, somehow, still finding ways to get critical points despite being down two-thirds their top line and two key defensemen.
Casey Cizikas told Shannon Hogan during the second period of the intermission report that the key to the Islanders holding on to their slim 1-0 lead was not to beat themselves.
But beat themselves, they did.
There are some growing questions that I'll certainly address here or at The Hockey News over the next few days.
What’s left to do with the power play?
How does one fix the failing-to-bury issue when the players struggling are the ones that have the proven track record?
After a red-hot start to Ilya Sorokin’s season, is Semyon Varlamov making a case to go back to a rotation?
For today, my column below is on keeping things in perspective.
But first, let’s get to “The Skinny” and get you caught up on the latest news by yours truly.
THE SKINNY & ISLANDERS NEWS
Before we dive into keeping things in perspective, here’s “The Skinny” from Eric Hornick (Brendan Burke and Butch Goring’s MSG Networks statistician). The site is updated after each game with incredible statistics and facts.
Hornick Gems: The Isles have allowed a tying goal in seven games this season, going 2-2-3 in those games.
Check out much more at Hornick’s The Skinny: Calgary 2, Isles 1 (SO)
Islanders Should Send Down Grant Hutton Over Travis Mitchell With Alex Romanov Back - THN
With Islanders' Injured Players Not Skating Yet, Depth Will Continue To Be Tested - THN
Islanders Prospect Cole Eiserman Named Hockey East Rookie Of The Week - THN
Bo Horvat's Role In The Bounce-Back Of Islanders Captain Anders Lee - THN
Romanov Back As Regular At Islanders Practice In Calgary, Skating With Dobson - THN
Islanders Can't Close Out Game In Calgary, Fall To Flames 2-1 In Shootout
The New York Islanders were hoping that they could put their sour loss in Seattle behind them, a game where they blew a slim one-goal lead in the third period before falling in the final few minutes.
But, against the Calgary Flames, the Islanders did the exact same thing.
They took a 1-0 lead into the third period but failed to hold on, ultimately losing in the shootout to move to 1-1-2 on this road trip.
Read how the game unfolded HERE.
Islanders Mike Reilly Shares Smiling Pic, Message To Fans After Undergoing Heart Surgery
On Tuesday, New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly underwent heart surgery and will be out indefinitely.
His condition, something he was born with but never knew about, was discovered after he was being treated for a possible concussion following an incident that occurred on Nov. 1.
In the third period of the Islanders' 4-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres, Reilly was knocked unconscious by Sabres forward Jordan Greenway.
He took to Instagram following his surgery to share a message to the fans.
Read the rest at The Hockey News.
Keeping Things In Perspective
The New York Islanders have played good hockey this season, but it hasn’t been good enough in critical moments.
Given the wide-open Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference wild-card race, failing to collect points when applicable could be the difference between playing for Lord Stanley or watching other teams do it from the couch.
The Islanders have certainly left points on the table this season, three in their last two games after blowing a slim one-goal lead to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday to lose in regulation before mimicking that in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Now they are 1-1-2 on their road trip, losers of two straight entering their final game against the Detroit Red Wings, before returning to Long Island for a three-game homestand.
Fans can look at the Islanders' recent play in two ways: They are down two-thirds of their top line and the entire left side of their defense, until Alexander Romanov returned in Calgary.
On one hand, the team’s been much better defensively than when the season began. The depth players are coming through at a much higher rate, which was a need. And there’s been gutsy performances, with the team finding ways to get points.
On the other hand, the Islanders’ blown leads issue has continued to be a thorn in their backside, along with their special-team woes. Failing to bury high-danger chances is an ongoing concern.
It’s all about perspective, though.