Until the end of the second period of last night’s win against Chicago, Islanders’ fans were unhappy with the team’s performance. The Islanders have been a defensive staple in the NHL the past two seasons but surprisingly underperformed in the first two games of the 2021-22 season, allowing a combined eleven goals while only scoring four.

Despite the poor showings and early causes for concern, Islanders’ fans need to stay calm and not panic. Moreover, the NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint. Islanders’ fans need to stay patient.

First and foremost, it’s essential to remember the Islanders are playing on the road until November 20th as part of a record 13-game trip. Recently, the Islanders have been a relatively poor team on the road. During the 2019-20 season, the Islanders finished with a record of 15-14-4 on the road. They were even worse in 2020-21, putting up a sub-.500 11-13-4 record on the road. The Islanders’ struggles on the road to open the 2021-22 season reflect their struggles on the road in years prior.

We’ve seen a trip like this before. In 2013-14, the New York Rangers opened their season with a nine-game road trip as they waited for Madison Square Garden to finish being renovated. They finished that trip with a 3-6-0 record. This atrocious nine-game span for the Rangers did not define their season. The Rangers got back on track, made the playoffs and went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Fans also have to realize the Islanders had a short offseason and there was a bit of roster turnover, too. The Islanders’ players did not have the whole offseason off to rest up and train. Fatigue might be a factor for the Islanders’ slow start.

And, on top of this, the NHL had a shortened offseason, finishing in mid-July instead of late May and early June when it usually ends. Additionally, some players remain injured. Matt Martin made his season debut on Tuesday night and goaltender Semyon Varlamov remains sidelined, though he’s skating with the team.

Fans could look at the Islanders’ struggles in a positive light. It is better to struggle early and work out the kinks than collapse late in the season. The Islanders’ level of play early in the NHL season is far worse than what we’ll see later this season. The season is a marathon. There is no cause for concern this early into the season, and you cannot justify labeling your season as a failed season only after game three of 82. Islanders fans need to stay patient. There is a ton of hockey left to be played.

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.