The Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders possess many similarities this NHL season. Both teams began performing well below expectations, confusing fans as to why their respective teams struggled. The Canucks fortunes are changing as a recent coaching change and an exemplary month of December has thrust the west coast team into playoff contention. The recent play of the Canucks gives hope to fans on Long Island that once healthy, their team can also turn their season around.

The New York Islanders’ struggles are well documented and fans’ frustrations with many questionable decisions made by the NHL regarding COVID-19 protocols are evident. Looking at how another struggling team made it out of the dirt can provide insight and hope for what to expect during the latter half of the 2021-22 NHL season.

#Isles Schedule Updates.

Details ⇉ https://t.co/O11GSicaMw pic.twitter.com/eHXTVYqWL6

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 4, 2022

The Vancouver Canucks began their turnaround in December. Firing head coach Travis Green and replacing him with veteran coach Bruce Boudreau is the spark the Canucks craved. A seven-game winning streak began during December, and they have not gone cold. A difference between the Islanders and Canucks is defense. The Canucks defense pale in comparison; however, under Boudreau, their streaky play has improved.

Thatcher Demko is the primary reason the Canucks can hit a restart on their disastrous season. The should-be Vezina finalist is 7-1-0 in December with a GAA of 1.72 and a .946 save percentage. This play is what this team needs with Demko being the MVP of their season thus far.

The reason everybody in the NHL is now talking about Canuck G Thatcher Demko was his 7-1-0 run in December!
With a GAA of 1.72 and a .946 Save %!
As Ben Kuzma of Postmedia called it…
“Eye-Popping”!#VezinaTrophy

— Dave Pratt (@DavePrattSports) January 4, 2022

Goaltending is never an issue for the Islanders, but playing like Demko is always welcome. A large part of the dismay this season for New York is because of COVID-19 outbreaks, but ruling out the players’ performance would be unfair. If the Islanders have any chance of turning this season around, they need a spark to light under them. The Islanders should not fire Barry Trotz, arguably the best coach in the NHL, but management has to get creative to save an unsavable season.

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John Smark