The New York Islanders were on an eight-game losing streak before the NHL postponed their games due to COVID-19. Many fans attributed the losses to the fact that around eight key players were on COVID-19 protocol and unable to play. The Islanders played their first game after games were postponed from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30 on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena. Five players returned from protocol for this game; Adam Pelech, Anders Lee, Andy Greene, Josh Bailey and Ross Johnston (but, he did not play). Though the Islanders did lose 2-1 in overtime, the team looked much better than they did in their previous eight games. Let’s take a look at how each of the four returning players performed in their first game back. 

Adam Pelech 

In his first game at UBS Arena, Adam Pelech was partnered with Scott Mayfield. Pelech led the team (excluding Ilya Sorokin) in ice-time with 24:14. Pelech was a -1 in the game, but he recorded one block and three hits.  

Pelech is a very defensive defenseman. However, in Thursday’s game, he got three shots on goal and was noticeably more active in the offensive zone. Pelech was one of the few players who was actually shooting the puck any chance he got. The Islanders need more players like this because in their last 10 games, they have been outscored 38-11. 

Anders Lee 

Anders Lee was on the first line with Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey. Lee looked much better than his stats for this game make him seem. The captain only registered one shot on goal but he was a huge presence in front of the net. Had the rest of the team put more pucks on net, Lee would have been able to score off of deflections. 

Andy Greene 

Andy Greene was paired up with young defenseman Noah Dobson. Greene had a great first game back and looked very steady. He recorded two blocks and was one of the only two players to be a +1 for the game. Greene also got an assist on the Islanders’ only goal scored by Barzal. 

Josh Bailey 

Bailey, on the other hand, did not have nearly as good of a game. Bailey was on the same line as Lee and did not put up any numbers. He did not even record a shot on goal. Barry Trotz would never take Bailey out of the lineup because he is an alternate captain and a veteran presence. But, Bailey is not helping the Islanders win any more than the players pulled up from the Bridgeport Islanders did. 

The Islanders Need to Win

Having players get off COVID-19 protocol is a step in the right direction for the Isles but they still have many kinks to work out if they want to be successful this season. On Dec. 4, the Isles pushed their losing streak to 10 games after losing 4-3 in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings. Some positives from the game were that the Islanders finally scored more than two goals, which they had not done since Nov. 4 when they played the Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders also scored on two of their three power-play opportunities, kudos to Oliver Wahlstrom and his amazing shot. Cal Clutterbuck even got the Isles their first short-handed goal of the season. 

The Islanders were able to walk away with a point in each of their last two games which is definitely better than getting no point. However, the team really needs to step it up and go on a winning streak to climb their way up in the standings. The Islanders are currently eighth in the Metropolitan Division and 30th in the NHL. As of Dec 4., MoneyPuck gives the Islanders a 27.5 percent chance of making the NHL playoffs and a 1 percent chance of winning the Stanley Cup. Hopefully the Islanders can turn this season around now that almost all of their guys are healthy and defy all the odds stacked against them. 

Maisy Healy

I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five.  Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.