The New York Islanders are really struggling this season. With a 5-8-2 record, this nightmare is starting to feel real. A few more losses and the Islanders could be in a hole too big to climb out of.

However, not everything has been their fault. Let’s go over six issues the Islanders are facing — three they can control and three they cannot control.

Three Things Islanders Can Control

• The Islanders are atrocious on the power-play. Not only are they failing to generate offense, they are doing more bad then good. Against the Maple Leafs on Sunday, the Islanders allowed their third short-handed goal of the year on a four-on-three early in the first period — and it was the game-winner. They have one power-play goal during the entire month of November.
• Zdeno Chara is playing every night, but not playing well. As of Nov. 3, Chara had a 36 percent Corsi and 27.1 expected goals percentage, both of which were the worst on the team. They were getting doubled in high-danger scoring chances at that time, too. Nonetheless, Chara kept playing over Sebastian Aho — plus Robin Salo, Samuel Bolduc and Thomas Hickey, who all started the year in Bridgeport.
• Kyle Palmieri is not playing well and this is hurting the Islanders. He has only one goal in 15 games and it looks like his age is catching up to him. And to make matters worse, the Islanders chose Palmieri over Jordan Eberle (nine goals) this offseason.

Three Things Islanders Cannot Control

• After surviving last season with only one player contracting COVID-19, the Islanders are currently going through an outbreak. It started with Josh Bailey. Now, Bailey, Anders Lee, Ross Johnston, Kieffer Bellows Adam Pelech and Andy Greene are all in COVID-19 protocol. The Islanders have multiple AHL guys in the lineup, including Grant Hutton and Andy Andreoff.
• Islanders head coach Barry Trotz called his team fragile after their 13-game road trip. He was right. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction on the team’s new arena was delayed, forcing an extended trip away from home to start the season. The Islanders played poorly during this stretch, compiling a 5-6-2 record.
• The Islanders are dealing with injuries. Ryan Pulock will miss the next four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury. He likely suffered the ailment when blocking a shot during Monday’s loss in Tampa. Not only that, Brock Nelson, the team’s leader in goals, left the game Sunday against the Maple Leafs and did not return. Trotz said after the contest that Nelson had a lower-body injury.

David Lazar