The Islanders went 2-0-1 this past week and appear to be establishing an identity under head coach Peter DeBoer. Unfortunately, they suffered a few casualties along the way with Cal Ritchie and Matias Maccelli sustaining lower body injuries in Toronto. With a forward group already struggling to produce offense, Sean and Arthur look at how the Isles can maintain success after an encouraging week.
Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Note: Later, we’ll publish Part 2 of the Peter McGeough feature by Chris Botta
The Isles have points in three straight games (2-0-1), and while that is hardly enough to declare any of their long-standing questions solved, it does feel like something is starting to take shape.
Pete DeBoer’s structure has clearly taken hold, and that may be the most important early-season development. Excluding the shootout-deciding goal in Ottawa, the Islanders have allowed only 17 goals through eight games, including three empty-netters. That is the fewest they have allowed through eight games since 2001, when they also surrendered 17.
This isn’t quite the Barry Trotz turnaround, but that is still no small feat.
The Islanders still do not score enough. The power play still looks like five guys waiting for someone else to make the first move. Injuries are piling up (we’ll hold our breath for updates on Maccelli and Ritchie later today), and there are still fair questions about whether this roster has enough offense to survive over 84 games.
