I think Islanders are the dark horse of the East this season.

[nbwingsfan]

Islanders' style makes them a definite dark horse; as does Raty, but they have to make the playoffs first.

The guy who’s barely 0.5ppg in the AHL makes them a dark horse?

 

[BB88]

Regular season means nothing for a team like Tampa, who they are today is not who they will be in April.

Similar things were said last year about TB. Vasi looked bad, their defense was very loose etc. Then come playoff time they flipped the switch and ran through the East again. They have figured out playoff hockey and are more comfortable in their skin than any other team in the NHL (which is a very underrated aspect of what makes them so great)

Are Tampa more vulnerable now than ever? I would say so, I have Boston, Toronto and probably Carolina with them at the top tier of the contenders in the East. But that cup-winning core is still there, and the system they play is still there. Tough to bet against that in a playoff series

Also, Ullmark does not compare to Vasi in anyway shape or form in a playoff series. The guy is a straight up monster and shows it every playoff run. I'm pissed he's who we have to likely face in round 1 again lol

There’s a limit on how much talent they can lose.

They lost another top4+ top6 player this offseason.
Can they really afford it on a Cup run?

 

[leafsfan5]

There’s a limit on how much talent they can lose.

They lost another top4+ top6 player this offseason.
Can they really afford it on a Cup run?

They'll likely acquire another player to try to help fill one of the holes at the TDL, but that is the big question. How much longer can they bleed assets and still keep winning. I think they can still do it as long as their core performs. Outside of Hedman, I don't have a lot of concerns about their play this year. Even Hedman should sort himself out eventually.

Nonetheless, the big factor that keeps them on top for me is Vasi. No other contender in the league has that kind of guy in their net. He's a huge advantage that is tough to beat

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Rangers Record Vs Islanders Last 10 Years | StatMuse

The New York Rangers are 17-24-3 against the Islanders between January 8, 2015 and January 8, 2025.

www.statmuse.com

How is that relevant to this year?

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

How is that relevant to this year?

I guess you could look at CY 2022 and see Isles 6, Rangers 1...or you could look at 2022-2023 season and see Isles 2, Rangers 1.

Does that help?

 

[PolishPrince21]

How is that relevant to this year?

all time if you include shootouts etc it;s actually 135 a pop now with the 19 ties

 

[LeapOnOver]

How is that relevant to this year?

Not any more or less relevant than talking about a couple games, that's for sure. Or the importance of outshooting your opponent for that matter.

 

[BrockLobster]

How is that relevant to this year?

Theyre 2-1 this year...

 

[Rehabguy]

1. Lane Lambert is a rookie head coach, who has worked under Trotz for his entire career. The offense isn't going to magically pickup because he will 100% follow the defense first mentality of Trotz.

2. They have signed literally no one that can help increase their offense. They are the same team, but might actually be worse than last year due to everyone around them getting better.

2. Ray Whitney never played for the Pens. Ryan Whitney on the other hand. So if you are going to quote someone as the crux of your comment, you should probably quote the right guy.

3. Ryan Whitney jumped on the NYI bandwagon a couple of seasons ago because of a bet.

4.

I think this argument can finally be put to rest. 36 games into the season and they are leading the Metropolitan Division in goals for. The Isles problem right now is not playing down to opponents they should beat because as usual they play their best against the teams also considered playoff contenders, its the bottom dwellers they have a tough time with. They can't seem to get motivated for those games.

Outscored two quality opponents in Florida and Pittsburgh 10-2 last 2 games. Lost a couple of OT's against the Bruins and Rangers in close shootouts and could have won those games if not for several goalpost deflections. Physically manhandled the Devils on their way to victory. Once again showing why more than likely playoff bound teams do not want to face the Islanders come the post season. The Isles just have to make it to the big dance and they are an immediate threat if not full blown contender.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

I think this argument can finally be put to rest. 36 games into the season and they are leading the Metropolitan Division in goals for. The Isles problem right now is not playing down to opponents they should beat because as usual they play their best against the teams also considered playoff contenders, its the bottom dwellers they have a tough time with. They can't seem to get motivated for those games.

Outscored two quality opponents in Florida and Pittsburgh 10-2 last 2 games. Lost a couple of OT's against the Bruins and Rangers in close shootouts and could have won those games if not for several goalpost deflections. Once again showing why more than likely playoff bound teams do not want to face the Islanders come the post season. The Isles just have to make it to the big dance and they are an immediate threat if not full blown contender.

IF they make the playoffs they're a threat. I don't think anyone would consider them contenders until they knocked out a Boston, Toronto (or more importantly) Tampa Bay in a seven game series.

That's a BIG "If" though. Metro is ridiculous.

 

[Rehabguy]

IF they make the playoffs they're a threat. I don't think anyone would consider them contenders until they knocked out a Boston, Toronto (or more importantly) Tampa Bay in a seven game series.

That's a BIG "If" though. Metro is ridiculous.

As a fan all I can ask is for them to just make the playoffs- the higher the standing by the end of the year the better, but I like how this team has performed against the top teams in the league at the moment and they are doing this with a depleted roster. I also like the call ups which bodes well come the playoffs that they have more than capable substitutes. Another series against Boston will be brutal series for both teams but I like their chances. The type of play and durability that is needed for the post season is different than what is needed for the regular season. This team was purposely built for the post-season. The injuries suffered by the team at the moment were due to freak accidents or dirty plays. I hope we have a full roster come the playoffs.

 

[BrockLobster]

As of now aside from carolina they could beat anyone in that division in a playoff series.

I think this argument can finally be put to rest. 36 games into the season and they are leading the Metropolitan Division in goals for. The Isles problem right now is not playing down to opponents they should beat because as usual they play their best against the teams also considered playoff contenders, its the bottom dwellers they have a tough time with. They can't seem to get motivated for those games.

Outscored two quality opponents in Florida and Pittsburgh 10-2 last 2 games. Lost a couple of OT's against the Bruins and Rangers in close shootouts and could have won those games if not for several goalpost deflections. Physically manhandled the Devils on their way to victory. Once again showing why more than likely playoff bound teams do not want to face the Islanders come the post season. The Isles just have to make it to the big dance and they are an immediate threat if not full blown contender.

Unsustainable obv

 

[Gurglesons]

Really like their D and everyone knew their goaltending was solid.

The forward group is decent, but seems like the kind of group that either goes off insanely in the playoffs or is a big issue.

Feel like Patrick Kane is the perfect fit with Barzal.

 

[Rehabguy]

Really like their D and everyone knew their goaltending was solid.

The forward group is decent, but seems like the kind of group that either goes off insanely in the playoffs or is a big issue.

Feel like Patrick Kane is the perfect fit with Barzal.

If going off means at the very least going to the Conference Finals 2 of the past 3 years I'm good with that. The difference this year is the system. The system change should take this team to the next level come playoffs. In the last season that Trotz was our coach I think the defense only scored 5 goals (?). Dobson alone has doubled the goal output of the entire D under Trotz combined.

What I like about the Isles now is that they have a system that could change the outcome of a game while deploying Trotz's defensive minded system when needed to protect a lead. That's going to be huge come playoff time. They just have to make it in.

 

[saintunspecified]

Feel like Patrick Kane is the perfect fit with Barzal.

Really?

Defensively speaking, Barzal's best fit would take assignments down low, and take draws.

Offensively speaking, Barzal's best fit would be a strong, straight-line skater who can score anywhere from the high/slot or circles, in.

Obviously NYI aren't going to be able to acquire someone who can do both things, but Kane is neither of them. He does a lot of what Barzal already does. From my viewings, Kane has been on the perimiter much more than in the past.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

If going off means at the very least going to the Conference Finals 2 of the past 3 years I'm good with that. The difference this year is the system. The system change should take this team to the next level come playoffs. In the last season that Trotz was our coach I think the defense only scored 5 goals (?). Dobson alone has doubled the goal output of the entire D under Trotz combined.

What I like about the Isles now is that they have a system that could change the outcome of a game while deploying Trotz's defensive minded system when needed to protect a lead. That's going to be huge come playoff time. They just have to make it in.

Wait a minute big fella, the system right now is a work in progress. More often than not it's resulted in way too many odd-man rushes, ill-advised pinches, at times revealing Dobson and Romanov's defensive issues as well as apparently befuddling one of the league's premier defensive defensemen in Adam Pelech.

Organizational depth apparently is there at Forward but Wotherspoon's surprising games aside the D depth has been miserable. Aho has a couple of decent games under his belt and a ton of bad ones. Robin Salo, who I thought for sure would be an excellent 3rd pairing LD has been terrible.

Relying way too much on Sorokin.

Power Play is still hot garbage. We're not going anywhere with an 18.4% PP, especially since we're something like 0 for 50 in the last 20 games (something like that, very grotesque).

Yes, I feel confident in a seven game series I am not scared of anyone. I am more scared that we won't get that chance to prove it.

Right now it's 50/50 imo...

 

[mm11]

Somehow, the Isles are in the hunt with a depleted roster, employing just about the worst PP in the league and playing in a division where top teams don't lose many games lately.

 

[Rehabguy]

Wait a minute big fella, the system right now is a work in progress. More often than not it's resulted in way too many odd-man rushes, ill-advised pinches, at times revealing Dobson and Romanov's defensive issues as well as apparently befuddling one of the league's premier defensive defensemen in Adam Pelech.

I'm observing this as well but I think the odd man rushes, ill advised pinches, defensive issues and a slightly befuddled Pelech is all the result of the team moving away from a system that squashes all these issues at the expense of producing goals. They are simply taking chances that all teams take that have any offensive game in them. We're just so used to the Isles playing such as perfect defensive game in the past 3 years that any mistake is just highlighted.

I commented in the past playoff conference finals that the difference between Cooper and Trotz was that Cooper saw the game as a game of chance. You take risk when the odds are on your side, but this does open the team up the occasional defensive lapse of which he relied on Vasilevsky to pull them out of. He coached hockey like it was meant to be- a game.

Trotz saw the game as avoiding risks at all costs playing the perfect "game" and waiting, waiting, waiting.... until the other team made a mistake and then they attacked. He was completely risk adverse. This makes for a boring and exhausting game to play and watch for some fans and it hurts the team's offensive output and took any creativity out of our offensively gifted players. We have Sorokin to back the team up and to put the odds in the Islander's favor most nights. They simply need to take chances at times if they want to produce goals.

Lambert understands this and he has asked the D to join the rush as it should because with this mobile puck moving and shooting defense there would be no reason not to. The chances can be on the Isles side most nights. Especially with Sorokin as a backup. The team just has to trust in this. The last 2 games were a perfect example of the Isles taking the necessary risks to score goals but also relying on their defensive awareness to keep the GA damage under control. Our goals against average is 6th in the East and that while playing against a lot of the top teams in the league early on. I don't think it's a problem area.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

We are only (almost) halfway through and there is a ton to like about these Isles who seem to have next man up capabilities that they did not have last year.

Also, last year they could not compete against playoff teams but the opposite seems to be true this season so far.

 

[mm11]

I'm observing this as well but I think the odd man rushes, ill advised pinches, defensive issues and a slightly befuddled Pelech is all the result of the team moving away from a system that squashes all these issues at the expense of producing goals. They are simply taking chances that all teams take that have any offensive game in them. We're just so used to the Isles playing such as perfect defensive game in the past 3 years that any mistake is just highlighted.

I commented in the past playoff conference finals that the difference between Cooper and Trotz was that Cooper saw the game as a game of chance. You take risk when the odds are on your side, but this does open the team up the occasional defensive lapse of which he relied on Vasilevsky to pull them out of. He coached hockey like it was meant to be- a game.

Trotz saw the game as avoiding risks at all costs and waiting, waiting, waiting.... until the other team made a mistake and then they attacked. He completely risk adverse. This makes for a boring and exhausting game to play and watch for some fans and it hurts the team's offensive output. We have Sorokin to back the team up and to put the odds in the Islander's favor most nights. They simply need to take chances at times if they want to produce goals.

Lambert understands this and he has asked the D to join the rush as it should because with this mobile shooting defense there would be no reason not to. The chances are on the Isles side most nights. Especially with Sorokin as a backup. The team just has to trust in this. The last 2 games were a perfect example of the Isles taking the necessary risks to score goals but also relying on their defensive awareness to keep the GA damage under control. Our goals against average is 6th in the East and that while playing against a lot of the top teams in the league early on. I don't think it's a problem area.

All this while Sorokin kind of “cooled off” in December

 

[Rehabguy]

We are only (almost) halfway through and there is a ton to like about these Isles who seem to have next man up capabilities that they did not have last year.

Also, last year they could not compete against playoff teams but the opposite seems to be true this season so far.

I particularly liked that the team was able to adapt to an upgraded system of play rather quickly. Sure they lost a bunch of games during this learning period but if they can nail it down and play as well as they had in spurts throughout the season thus far, they will do fine and go far.

All this while Sorokin kind of “cooled off” in December

Yeah, I kind of wonder if what is going on in his motherland has affected his concentration. How could it not? He's not to blame nor are most Russians so I hope the situation over there is not a factor. But you gotta like that the team leads the Metropolitan in goals for and 6th in the East in goals against. A little more consistency especially against bad teams is a must for them to make the playoffs. I think they will be fine.

Also I'm surprised by the call-ups. I didn't know we had such quality players in Bridgeport. Where did this Wotherspoon guy come from? He's been there for years. Also Love what Holstrom, Raty and Fashing bring to the team. Speed, size, grit, youth, and offensive abilities to boot. The farm system is surprisingly good.

 

[quackquackquack]

Feels like they need one more serious offensive threat - *cough* Patty Kane cough* - and then they can really make noise.

 

[mm11]

I particularly liked that the team was able to adapt to an upgraded system of play rather quickly. Sure they lost a bunch of games during this learning period but if they can nail it down and play as well as they had in spurts throughout the season thus far, they will do fine and go far.


Yeah, I kind of wonder if what is going on in his motherland has affected his concentration. How could it not? He's not to blame nor are most Russians so I hope the situation over there is not a factor. But you gotta like that the team leads the Metropolitan in goals for and 6th in the East in goals against. A little more consistency especially against bad teams is a must for them to make the playoffs. I think they will be fine.

The long grind of an NHL season playing some tough teams affected his concentration I feel more than the motherland stuff. Sorokin is a gamer and a pro and will be ready down the stretch. Good to see the isles playing with a band-aid roster, not losing too much ground. If only they had a guy that can pop in timely pp goals consistently

 

[Chardo]

The team can't score. Yet they're currently 12th in the league in goals per game, outscoring 7 of last year's top 10 teams.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

The team can't score. Yet they're currently 12th in the league in goals per game, outscoring 7 of last year's top 10 teams.

yet no one is top 10 is goals (Nelson #11) Lee (#13) and Parise (#15). They are doing it rolling 4 lines and with key injuries are still managing to score although not at the pace earlier this season.