The End Of A Windy Road Is Near
The Islanders' locker room was one of devastation following their latest loss to Rangers.
Disappointment. Devastation.
That was the New York Islanders’ locker room following their 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Rangers on Monday night.
The team knew the importance of the game and were fired up and ready to go when we spoke to the group following morning skate.
But after dominating for the first five or so minutes, their spark got taken away from them after their goal was disallowed.
They never got that spark back and that was a sure problem, a problem that’s been a common theme this season.
"We're disappointed in ourselves,” Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri said. “And whatever kind of message that sends to whoever it is, we're the guys in this room that control it."
Unfortunately for the Islanders, they didn’t get a real chance to prove they were better than what they were. Injuries starting in game five of the season to Anthony Duclair, their “big” free agent signing, then to Mathew Barzal in game 10, followed by injuries to Alexander Romanov, Mike Reilly, and Adam Pelech, a game into November, were difficult to overcome.
Somehow the Islanders stayed afloat. But, while staying afloat, they left points on the table, blowing third period leads left and right, with the power play and penalty kill struggling to do their job on a nightly basis.
As soon as they got Barzal, Duclair, Romanov, and Pelech back, things looked a little better, but then, the injury bug came around yet again. Barzal went down again. Noah Dobson went down. Ryan Pulock went down. Scott Mayfield went down. Marcus Hogberg went down.
General manager Lou Lamoriello went out and filled the holes, with Tony DeAngelo, Adam Boqvist, and Scott Perunovich helping the Islanders to a seven-game winning streak. But then, the game we saw too often in the first half came back ahead of the 4 Nations break, dropping three of four before having two weeks off.
The hope was that over the break, Duclair could get a little healthier, and that Dobson, Mayfield and Pulock would be ready to go. Hogberg was expected, at least, to be close.
The good news was that Duclair looked better out of the break. Mayfield and Pulock were ready. Dobson needed a tad bit more time.
However, with all three back, Duclair struggled mightily, leading to him being a healthy scratch on Monday. Mayfield played one game before visiting the scratch house for three games. Pulock struggled. Dobson has looked a little better, but he made a pivotal mistake on the power play, which led to the Rangers’ second goal on Monday.
With Hogberg out, Sorokin has been run into the ground.
That’s just not sustainable for any goaltender who has to be at his best for the team to win.
The road was windy, and all the hows equates to a team that couldn’t overcome the obstacles that good teams do.
The road is not over just yet, but it looks like we are pulling up on a dead end.
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Nelson most likely going to New Jersey or Winnipeg. The package would be very good at either location. Anton Silayev LHD would be the target in NJ. Brad Lambert RW would be the target in Winnipeg. Islanders retaining is not an issue either. NJ or Winnipeg would most likely want to sign Nelly, but he most likely has his mind set on FA. That’s a plus for the Islanders if they can get top value, then double dip by signing Nelson back in FA. Lou might literally go all in on this trade deadline by making a lot of players available. Palms has a strong market with the way he has played the last two seasons and his penchant for playoff performances. Again we can double dip here by resigning in FA. Lee and Mayfield a tougher trade but not impossible, and honestly the salary dump is the return. Playoff hockey is a tough game these two players give you toughness. In Lee a legitimate net front presence and Mayfield a very unpleasant guy to play against. Salary retain on this year the future years hit the recipients team payroll effectively opening up about 10 million for the Islanders next year. I think Lou takes a long look at Pulock and his trade value.
Guys we are stuck with Are DuClair and Engvall. DuClair you give a fresh start to next year. Engvall you get him on the Bus and in the lineup at Bridgeport every game, you make him earn every penny. Honestly I bet he voids after a year of that and goes back to play in Sweden Problem Solved. When everything is said and done we will have a brighter future and a more entertaining team. There is a good chance Nelson signs with Winnipeg. It’s geographical close to his home, great place to play, and most of all very talented team.
I replied to you yesterday after the first period about pulling Sorokin for Skarek. It wasn't because Sorokin was terrible. Maybe just maybe it will give them a spark and they will wake up and make a game out of it.