The 2023-2024 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the New York Islanders. In the team’s first 10 games, the Islanders went 5-2-3. The Islanders’ performance in these first 10 games stands out as one of the team’s stronger seasonal starts. In fact, the 13 points the Islanders earned in their first 10 games was the third-best start for the organization in the last decade. Only during the 2015-16 and 2019-20 seasons, did the Islanders have a better start ten games into the season. The team earned 14 points during the first 10 games during both time periods.

Although the Islanders had a very impressive start to their season, earning 13 points in the first 10 games, the success did not last. The Islanders began to struggle immensely after their first 10 games. During November, the Islanders ended up going on a seven-game losing streak. In fact, throughout the 14 games the team played in November, they only won 5 games. In November, the Islanders went 5-5-4.

Throughout December, the Islanders began to turn their season around. With a record of 8-3-3, the team earned crucial points to stay alive in the playoff push. Although the outcomes in December differed from those in November, the fundamental problems plaguing the Islanders early in the season were never fixed.

Five of the eight games the Islanders won during December were decided by one goal. Two of the three games the Islanders lost after regulation were games in which the Islanders were leading during the third period. Moreover, in eight of the Islanders’ 14 games in December, the team was outshot by their opponent, and the Islanders were outshot by 10 or more in five of those eight games.

Now, in January, the Islanders seem to be in complete free fall. The team has played eight games thus far and has only won two. Sitting at a record of 2-5-1 in January, the Islanders’ postseason is in serious jeopardy. So, the question is, did the Islanders really turn their season around in December, or did the team exceed their average play by putting together a string of close wins? Here, the question remains, is the team now regressing towards the mean?

The Islanders’ identity this season has been their shocking inability to win games that are in the palm of their hands. The Islanders have lost a total of 25 games this season. Fifteen games have been in regulation, and 10 games were either lost in overtime or during the shootout. Nine of the 25 games the Islanders have lost were those in which the team led during the third period. Furthermore, these nine games with blown third period leads account for 32% of the Islanders’ losses this season. The Islanders’ third-period performances this season have been abysmal. Throughout the season thus far, the Islanders have been outscored 55 to 42 in the third period.

Additionally, in seven games this season, the Islanders have given up three goals during the third period. Four of the 25 games the Islanders have lost were games in which the Islanders were up by two or more goals during the third period. This statistic does not even include the number of games where the Islanders failed to hold onto a third-period lead but still managed to win the game in overtime or during a shootout.

The Islanders currently lead the NHL for the most losses after regulation. Those 10 points that the Islanders have left on the table thus far throughout the season may come back to haunt the team in April. It is important to note that the shootout was added to the NHL during the 2005-06 season. Since then, when the Islanders have had at least 11 plus overtime losses in a season, the team has only made the playoffs once.

Playoff caliber teams find ways to win games. They do not lose games that are in the palm of their hand. The Islanders cannot be a serious threat and make a deep run in the playoffs without figuring out how to change their third period. The team has the talent and roster depth to compete with any team in the NHL. If you take away the Islanders’ third-period troubles, you could make the case that the Islanders have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL this season. However, hockey is a 60-minute game. The Islanders desperately need to figure out how to play a consistent game for all three periods.

Featured image courtesy of Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.