The New York Islanders’ 2021-22 season ended earlier than many people expected. For the first under head coach Barry Trotz, the team missed the playoffs.

The Islanders finished 37-35-10. They had to embark on a 13-game road trip to start the year. Then, there was a COVID-19 outbreak, which contributed to an 11-game losing skid. Injuries also hurt the team, as stars like Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal were out for chunks of the year.

The Islanders also had to deal with the busiest calendar month in franchise history. They played 17 games in the month of March. It wasn’t an easy schedule, and the Islanders were at a disadvantage for large portions of their regular season.

Given all of that, it took 75 games to officially mathematically eliminate them from playoff contention. The Islanders stayed resilient and gave their fans something to cheer for.

It was a bumpy battle for the Islanders all year, but there still were some special moments that Islanders’ fans will remember forever. Let’s go over them.

Top Moments From The 2021-22 Season:

#3 – Noah Dobson Overtime Winner on New Year’s Day

Noah Dobson sent UBS Arena into a frenzy on Jan. 1. The Islanders and Edmonton Oilers were tied after regulation. Moments in, Noah Dobson won the game with a blast. It was Dobson’s first-career overtime winner.

WICKED WRISTER, WICKED ENDING.

Noah Dobson beats Koskinen to score a @SUBWAYCanada Overtime Winner for the @NYIslanders! pic.twitter.com/hpzmessy7h

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 1, 2022

#2 – Ilya Sorkin’s Outrageous Save Against Rangers

Ilya Sorokin made a highlight-reel save against the New York Rangers on St. Patrick’s Day. Sorokin dived across the net, stopping a shot from Artemi Panarin with his paddle. It was epic. Madison Square Garden was in shock, along with the entire hockey world.

#1 – The Opening of UBS Arena

How can this not be the top moment of the year? UBS Arena was everything Islanders’ fans could have imagined. It may have taken some time for the Islanders to earn their first victory, but it was well worth the wait.

With this campaign in the books, the team now has time to reflect and prepare for the next year. The Islanders’ 2021-22 season wasn’t what anyone expected, but the Islanders will look to get back on track in a few months.

Jacob

Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.