Islanders Catch A Break?

Well it seems like this could be the same old song and dance with the New York Islanders. They had gotten off to a good start, winning three of their first four games. Then they hit a slid of sorts, going winless over their next five games. Three losses and the last two coming in overtime to the Flyers. They were supposed to return home to play Buffalo Tuesday and Today, but because of the Sabres travel and COVID issues, the Isles get a week off before facing the Penguins on Saturday. Never thought I would say this, but this break could be a possible good thing for the Orange and Blue.

Different set of circumstances I know but think back to last year. The Isles had been slumping badly. February 23rd last year, they beat the Sharks at home by a 4r-1 score. They wouldn't win another game during the regular season, finishing on a seven game winless streak. Then the pandemic hit, shutting everything down for a couple of months. Thanks to a reworking by the league, the Islanders got another shot with the qualifying round. They won, beating the Panthers in four games. In doing so, they made the playoffs. And they kept rolling. Right to the conference finals.

Yes, it was a different time and a different reason, but this does seem to be a little familiar. Isles start a slump, then things stop. The difference is it was just the team, not the league and nothing they did on their own. This could turn out to be a really good thing for the team. It could be the kick in the pants that the Islanders need to get back on track. Matt Barzal has hit his stride with ten points. Leddy, Dobson, Lee and Eberle have five each. The one thing I've really been complaining about the last fe2w seasons has been lack of scoring depth and lack of major punch.

Yes the offense started to show a little signs of life against the Flyers. Based on that two game set over the weekend it does give a sliver of hope that they might be coming out of this thing. It happened last year, but that was cause they got everybody healthy at the right time and got hot. Hopefully this thing could be what the Islanders need.

They got the Penguins at home Saturday night, then its off to MSG to play the Rangers on Monday. Then Pittsburgh and Boston, both at home. This could be something to be a tough test for this team. But this could also be just the thing they need. Its going to be a crazy stretch the rest of the way trying to get all the games completed. but maybe a week of practice was just what the doctor ordered.

Coach Trotz had talked in an earlier press conference this season, saying that the Islanders needed to get back into a playoff mentality. They kind of need that with how this season is setup and how big all these games are. I know its early in the year, it might be too early to be hitting the panic button. But I've kind of seen this act before from the Isles. They dig themselves into an early hole and can't manage to get themselves out of it for a playoff push.

It could be me just reading this whole thing ally wrong. The next couple of games will be the true sign of how this team is going to go.