Islanders Will Need More Than Skill In Upcoming Metro Stretch
Injuries and costly mistakes have exposed the Islanders’ margin for error as inconsistent offense and fading goaltending threaten their playoff chances.
ELMONT, NY — “Gentleman, you don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone.”
That’s what legendary coach Herb Brooks told Team USA in 1980 before they did the unthinkable.
The reality is that no NHL team can hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup on talent alone. Talent can get you into the playoffs, but it can’t be the only factor.
Right now, the Islanders haven’t proven they are true Stanley Cup contenders. More concerning, they haven’t proven — especially of late — that they’re good enough to hold onto a playoff spot as other teams in the Metropolitan and Eastern Conference are heating up.