Good Morning, Islanders Country.
After a collapse against the Stanley Cup champs and mild roster construction drama, the schedule offered the Islanders an opportunity to return focus on the ice and gain momentum with two winnable back-to-back games.
Despite a lifeless first 40 minutes, the analytics will say the Islanders were the better hockey team last night, but when you can’t kill penalties you can’t win, no matter how much offensive zone time and shot attempts you take.
The Islanders took 90 shots, 42 on goal, and scored just once, a second after a 5-on-3 ended. Their offense at even strength is struggling, and it’s been the same script most nights - plenty of shots and not enough finish. The Islanders need more from everyone, especially their top-line stars, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, who are putting pressure on themselves to carry the load.
"It sucks. It sucks as a team, it just hasn’t gone our way, said Barzal after the game. “Individually, I know me and Bo put a lot of pressure on ourselves and haven’t found that spark to score a big goal and win a hockey game."
The Islanders can keep telling themselves they’re playing good hockey and that things will turn around, but right now, they’re a team searching for a lot, including confidence (which Roy acknowledged you can’t buy at Walmart) that they’ll convert their plentiful chances. There’s nothing they can do but believe that things will turn around and hope that the matter of time starts tonight.
