Drive4Five Mailbag: Potential Game 5 Lineup Changes, Possible Round 2 Match-ups
With the Islanders unable to close out their first-round series against the Washington Capitals in four games and tonight being Game 5, it’s time for another Drive4Five Mailbag! In this series, we will be answering questions that are asked to us on our Instagram, @drive4five, through the question and answer feature on Instagram stories, about the New York Islanders, potential trades, and hockey in general. This will be a collaborative effort by all the writers on the website as each week you will see different people answering the questions! If you want to ask a question to potentially be featured in next week’s mailbag, make sure to check our Instagram for the next time we post the question and answer box on our story! If you want to check out what we had to say in the fourth mailbag, you can check it out here!
From @mizrahi320: “Would you rather see the Islanders play the Lightning or the Flyers?”
“If I am the New York Islanders, I would want to play the Philadelphia Flyers. Yes, they are the higher seed than Tampa Bay, but the Lightning have been hot as of late, especially in their series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are a hungry team due to their early exit last year and are playing a stronger defensive game to boost their offensive firepower. The Islanders have had more success against the Flyers in the past, and I feel that would be a better matchup for them.”
-Brendan
From @matthew_sansano: “Should Ross Johnston be in the lineup?”
“Ross Johnston is a good hockey player. He has a deceiving shot. He is a strong, hardworking skater. And most importantly, he can fight. However, the Islanders want to play five-on-five as much as possible. They know that if they can play at even strength, they will have a good chance of winning games. Johnston is a great intimidator, but right now, I’m not sure he is needed. It is not worth risking a power-play for Washington, something that can change a game. While Johnston could play and would do great, right now, unless there is an injury, I do not think it will be best for the team.”
-David
From @stephen_nyilas: “How can the Islanders fix the problems with the power-play?”
“The solution to the power-play is simple. Shoot the puck. For years, in fact, decades, the Islanders as a team have had a reluctance to shoot the puck. When you watch successful power-plays, the puck is always moving. Nobody holds it for more than two seconds. There is always a body in front of the net, a threat from the point, and somebody in the bumper slot. If the Islanders shoot the puck, they will be fine.
Also, the two units are mixtures of players from different lines. Another solution would be to put two lines and two pairs out on the main advantage and play like they do five-on-five, an area the Islanders are dominant. The units can be Lee-Barzal-Eberle-Pelech-Pulock and Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey-Toews-Mayfield. If the Islanders are uncomfortable with Devon Toews’ partner, Scott Mayfield, on the power-play, Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a natural replacement.
All in all, to improve their putrid power-play, the solution is simple: shoot the puck and do what is comfortable.”
-David
From @k.darren.macneil: “Should there be a change on defense?”
“Despite the Islanders having a rough Game 4, there is no need to panic and the defense shouldn’t be changed. Stick with what has worked and brought you to this point, up 3-1 to a team that recently won a Stanley Cup with a plethora of offensive weapons.
The pairing of Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock cost the Islanders two of the goals, but they are obviously untouchable in the lineup. What went wrong in Game 4 was not the players defending- but the mindset they had. Once they were up 2-0, they took their foot off the gas pedal and went into a shell rather than continuing to attack. In terms of the penalty kill, that needs a complete and total overhaul. However, again, that is not personnel, but the strategy and mindset. The defense should stay the same for the Islanders in Game 5 tonight as well as games going forward unless things drastically change.”
-Shawn
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions, and make sure to keep an eye out on the Instagram story for the next time to submit questions, and check back next week for the next installment of the Drive4Five Mailbag! Also, make sure to cheer on the Islanders as they take on the Washington Capitals tonight in Game 5!
