New York Islanders 2021 Christmas Wishes
The New York Islanders have had a difficult 2021-22 season, but the Christmas break is here to give the team a fresh start. When hockey returns on Monday and the Islanders travel to Buffalo to battle the Sabres, here are four Christmas wishes Islanders’ fans hope come true.
Less Zdeno Chara
Chara has two assists in 23 games and has yet to score this year. His 43.3 Corsi For Percentage At Even Strength signifies the Islanders are frequently pinned in their own zone when the veteran defenseman is on the ice. At 44-years-old, Chara is not the player he used to be, yet he still is playing 18:23 per game.
Islanders’ fans are hoping that after Christmas, Chara will no longer be an everyday player. Robin Salo or Thomas Hickey would give the Islanders a better chance to win — and one of them should be getting Chara’s minutes.
A Kyle Palmieri and Josh Bailey Resurgence
Kyle Palmieri and Josh Bailey are struggling this season. Both players have scored one goal, and it is clear age is catching up to both of them.
Islanders’ fans want their high-priced forwards to start producing. If not, the playoffs could be a pipe dream — while Bailey and Palmieri’s $5 million cap hits will be a sad, unfortunate reality.
Decades of Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin
The Islanders moved into UBS Arena at Belmont Park this season, and it is amazing. The team’s evaluation reflects it. According to Forbes, the Islanders’ value increased 83 percent this year, and the team is now valued at $950 million.
That is all because of Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin — arguably the best ownership group in sports. This Christmas, Islanders’ fans are hoping they stick around for a long, long time.
A Long Winning-Streak
At the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign, the Islanders embarked on a 10-game winning streak, the second-longest run in team history. This season, the Islanders are 8-12-6 and a winning streak is exactly what the team needs to get back on track.
Cole Bardreau’s penalty shot against the Senators — the game-winning goal in the team’s 10th consecutive victory — was a fantastic memory. Islanders’ fans are hoping for a great stretch of hockey that brings many more memories like that one.
