Will the New York Islanders Find Their Groove?
With just nine games played of the 2021 season, the New York Islanders have been struggling to find their groove. The Islanders have lost their last five games and sit second-to-last in their division with a record of 3-4-2. In any other season, the Islanders’ sluggish start would not be much of a concern; however, with the shortened 56 game season, the Islanders have to turn their play around sooner because there will not be a later.
The Islanders last four games, two against the Washington Capitals and two against the Philadelphia Flyers, were both games the Islanders snatched defeat in the jaws of victory.
In-game one of the Washington Capitals, the Islanders was 27 seconds away from overtime with the Washington Capitals and gave up a last-second goal. Giving up a goal in the last minute of a hockey game in a close game is regrettable. Everyone on the team should be playing tight defense and not giving the other team’s offense any opportunities, especially in a season where every single point means so much.
The next game against the Washington Capitals was a letdown. The Islanders took an early 3-0 lead early in the game and proceeded to give up five goals in the second period.
In both games against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Islanders found themselves down by two goals and managed to come back both times to send the game to overtime, but couldn’t find a way to win.
A common theme in these four games emerges: the Islanders do not play with intensity for a full 60 minutes. In all of these four games, the New York Islanders were not playing New York Islanders hockey for a full 60 minutes. If they were, they would have had eight points instead of two points.
A crucial piece that the Islanders are missing is Anthony Beauvillier. Beauvillier was a key piece in the Islanders’ playoff run last season, tallying 14 points in 22 games. The Islanders are a team that needs every single piece to succeed.
A slight adjustment in the lineup when a player out seems to affect the whole team. Beauvillier has been reported to be back in the lineup soon, but until then, the Islanders need to find a way to play their momentum-killing style of play for 60 minutes and find their groove.
Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.
