How the Islanders Can Fix Their Power Play
This feels like a broken record but it has to be stated again, The New York Islanders power play stinks. It feels like we have this conversation every month on how and why the Islanders’ power play is horrible but now it is getting dangerous. The Islanders have five games left in the regular season before the playoffs start. Now more than ever, the Islanders power play needs to get their act together for the team to make a run in the playoffs. Here are the ways the Islanders can fix their power play.
More Players in Front of the Net
If you have ever played hockey, you will have heard from your coaches to get to the net or crash the net. Well, the Islanders need to go back to the basics. Too many times on the man advantage the team only has one person in front. That strategy used to work with this team when Anders Lee was healthy. They do not have that big net-front presence anymore. So, how do you solve this? Don’t only have one person in front, get two. Put Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Brock Nelson together to get the dirty goals. Two players in front will create more traffic and make the job harder for the goalie.
Feed the Puck to Ryan Pulock
Ryan Pulock is armed with a heavy slapshot. The Islanders need to utilize this gift that Pulock has by constantly feeding him one-timers on the power play. But they have not been giving him the looks that Pulock needs to unleash his shot. They have often used him in Ovi’s office, but teams have consistently blocked the passing lanes. Instead of having Pulock on the top of the right faceoff dot, they should put him up top on the point. That way he can get a pass from Mathew Barzal on the half wall and unleash a bomb. Even if the shot does not go in, it will produce rebounds and second-chance opportunities.
Put Shots on Net
The passing and unselfishness from the team is nice when the team is scoring. The team isn’t talented enough to create goals off of passing plays like other top teams in the NHL. The team needs to make the passes when needed, but too often they are over-creating. The Islanders need to go back to what makes them great, hard work and the dirty goals. Get the shots on net and get second chance opportunities. Get the dirty goals, those will pay off more in the long run.
Set Up in the Offensive Zone
You can tell how the Islanders’ power play is going to perform of how easy they get in the zone. On many occasions, the Islanders try to be too cute with getting in the zone with their passing or Mathew Barzal going coast-to-coast. This goes back to the Islanders straying away from their identity. The Islanders need to get back into the mindset of hard work, even on the power play. That means getting the puck in deep, dumping it in on the blue line, and forechecking to get the puck back.
This all really comes down to what has plagued the Islanders all year, not working hard enough. Too often this team tries to be cute with everything it does and that reflects on their power play. The Islanders need to fix their power play before the playoffs. The power play could be a make or break for the team in the long run if they are not able to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes.
Hi, my name is Jack Kobil. I am currently attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington DC. I am a huge Islanders fan and I love to share my passion for this team.
