New York Islanders Post-Draft 2021 Season In Review
With the 2021 Islanders season – and yesterday’s NHL Draft, too – in the rear view mirror, let’s take a look back at some of the big storylines.
Fan Attendance
The Islanders started off the season in January with no fans in attendance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Slowly but surely, fans made their way back into the stands. As the season progressed, on March 11th, the Islanders allowed 1,000 Northwell Health frontline workers into the building to thank them for their heroic efforts.
A week later, Nassau Coliseum opened up at 10 percent capacity for season ticket holders. Eventually, as playoff time hit, the Islanders increased capacity after each playoff round. From 6,000 fans to watch the Islanders battle the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, to a packed house full of 12,978 fans to watch the Islanders and Lightning face off in the Semifinals, the Barn was as loud as ever.
All fans appreciated the ongoing increase in capacity to “rock the barn” one final time.
2021 Regular Season
The Islanders finished fourth in MassMutual East Division with 71 points. They finished with a 32-17-7 record. Through their first ten games, the team started slow. They went 4-4-2, to start the season. It wasn’t ideal but it was certainly not time to panic.
After clinching a playoff birth on May 1, the Islanders still had five regular-season games left to play to fight for home-ice advantage. In those five games, the Islanders went 1-2-2. Therefore, they finished in fourth with no home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Brock Nelson lit the lamp 18 times this season, to lead the Islanders in goals. Along with that, Nick Leddy – who has been traded to the Red Wings – led the team with 29 assists and Mathew Barzal recorded 45 points to lead the team.
Sports Video of the Week: Mat Barzal (@Barzal_97) scored a ridiculous between-the-legs goal 😱 🏒
🔄: @NHL pic.twitter.com/TIbEOUlkdH
— PrimeTime Sports&Ent (@PrimeTimeSE) March 8, 2021
2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs
For the second time in three years, the Islanders faced the Penguins in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Islanders were underdogs the whole way. After splitting with the Penguins on the road to start the series, the Islanders lost Game 3 at home. From then on, they won three straight to defeat the Penguins in six games.
In the second round, the third and fourth seeds met. The Islanders traveled to Boston to take on the Bruins. On the road, they split and then lost Game 3 at home. Presumably, they won the next three to take the series in six. Sound familiar?
In back-to-back seasons the Islanders and Lightning faced off in the Semifinals. Last season, the Islanders lost to the Lightning in Game 6. This time, they hoped for a different outcome. On the road, the Islanders split and then lost Game 3 at home. The trend continued. In the two previous series, the Islanders split on the road, lost Game 3, and then won three straight. That seemed to be the case after they won Game 4 to tie the series but it wasn’t.
After losing Game 5, the Islanders were in a “must-win” situation to keep their season alive. In Game 6, both teams were even after regulation and were headed to overtime. Minutes in, Anthony Beauvillier won Game 6 for the Isles to force a Game 7 back in Tampa Bay. After being the only team to not allow a short-handed goal throughout the season, the Islanders did in Game 7 and that was the difference-maker. The Islanders lost to the Lightning in seven games to end their season.
The Coliseum Effect
With the 2021 season in the books, the Islanders played their last few games at Nassau Coliseum this past season. The Islanders were one of the best teams when playing on home ice this season. The team ended the regular season with a 21-4-3 record on home ice. In the playoffs, the Islanders won six of the nine games played at Nassau Coliseum.
The Islanders penalty kill (PK) was also at its best at home with a 92.3% for the duration of the regular season and they outscored opponents 96-56. The Coliseum will be missed, but a new journey begins in the fall as the Islanders will play their inaugural season at UBS Arena in Belmont Park.
With another stellar run in the books, the Islanders 2021 season has come to an end. Now weeks after the Game 7 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning – and hours after the 2021 NHL Draft – last season is behind us. It is time to look forward. The countdown until October begins.
Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.
