About a third of the way into the 2021 NHL season, the New York Islanders have been simply above average.

Too many times this season, the Islanders have shown up flat-footed. The team sits on the bubble of a postseason spot and another losing streak could prove deadly.

Although some may make the case that the Islanders have been playing well and have just had a few rough patches, so far into the season, the Islanders have let too many games slip by them.

With a solid postseason run last playoffs, expectations are higher, and the Islanders are not living up to expectations.

The team has shown flashes of stellar play this season, but has not maintained that level of stellar play. And, without an eight-game point streak, the panic button would have certainly been hit.

The next stretch of games is huge for the Islanders. Three games in a row against the Buffalo Sabres is a gift. The Sabres are at a low point in their franchise and the Islanders need to take advantage.

They have hit the point in the season where they desperately need to define themselves as a true Stanley Cup contender.

The Islanders need at least five points in total over the next four days. Anything less than that will be a failure and continue to put the Islanders deeper in a hole that will only be harder to come out of later in the season.

It is important to note that the Islanders have been average, not terrible. However, based on their potential and their past performance, this season could be going better thus far.

Ethan Halle

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.