To get in the Christmas spirit here at Drive4Five, let’s analyze the New York Islanders, but with a twist — we will be doing it like the 12 Days of Christmas!

12 Assists

Mathew Barzal is currently leading the team with 12 assists. He has been one of the best forwards this season despite lacking a consistent right-winger. Barzal usually plays with Anders Lee but has also played alongside Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, Kyle Palmieri, Zach Parise, Oliver Wahlstrom and even Richard Panik. 

-11  

Despite getting countless opportunities to play on the first line, Palmieri has arguably been the most disappointing forward for the Islanders this year. He has the worst plus/minus rating on the team — a -11. Despite his performance, he still has an average ice time of 16:18, only 38 seconds less than Lee.

10 Goals 

Contrary to Palmieri, Brock Nelson has been one of the Islanders’ best players this season. He leads the team with 10 goals, three of which have come on the power-play. 

9 Takeaways 

Cal Clutterbuck has been having an amazing season. Last season, Clutterbuck had four goals in 50 games. This season, he has five goals in 26 games. Clutterbuck also has nine takeaways.

8 Points 

Anthony Beauvillier has been having a tough season. His first seven points were earned between Oct. 14 and Nov. 4. He did not record his eighth point until Dec. 16, five days after he was scratched from the lineup due to his lack of production. 

7 Assists 

Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom are both 21-years-old, making them the youngest players on the Islanders’ roster. Yet they both have recorded seven assists this season, tied for the third-most on the team. Dobson and Wahlstrom have had to fight to get more playing time, but every time they step on the ice, they work hard and produce. 

6 Points 

Parise is up there with Palmieri for the most unproductive player this year. In 26 games, Parise has scored only one goal and earned six points. His lone goal was the game-winning goal in the Islanders’ first win at UBS Arena on Dec. 11 against the New Jersey Devils. 

5 Games Played 

Andy Andreoff was called up from the Bridgeport Islanders when the New York Islanders were experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak in late November. He only played in five games but still made it on the score sheet by scoring a goal on Nov. 24. In five games, Andreoff scored the same number of goals as Palmieri (25 GP) and Parise (26 GP). 

4 Giveaways 

Ryan Pulock is one of the best defensemen on the Islanders. His usual defensive partner is Adam Pelech and the two are referred to by fans as “P & P Security.” Pulock has had only four giveaways the entire season. The only every-day player to have less giveaways than him is Matt Martin, who has three. 

No. 3

Adam Pelech wears No. 3 and is one of the most appreciated Islanders (thanks to BathtubJake and the #PelechPosse). Pelech is a +5, leading the team. He also has recorded 12 takeaways and 42 blocks.  

2 Seconds 

Kieffer Bellows is another player who struggles to get adequate ice time — especially on the penalty-kill. His average shorthanded time on ice per game is 0:02. 

1-Year-Old 

Ilya Sorokin turned one the same year that Zdeno Chara was drafted 56th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1996 NHL Draft. Sorokin was drafted 18 years later in 2014 NHL Draft by the Islanders. 

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.