Three takeaways from Islanders' goal-scoring struggles in six-game start
New York Islanders' Noah Dobson. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
Some trends are emerging six games and the first big injury into the Islanders’ season. The biggest may be that — no surprise! — when you essentially have the same roster as last season, things are going to seem very similar even with Patrick Roy starting his first full campaign as coach.
The Islanders, 2-2-2 and shut out three times already after Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Red Wings at UBS Arena, open a stretch of five games in eight days when they face the Devils on Friday night at Prudential Center.
Here are three takeaways from the Islanders’ so-so start:
1. The Islanders’ depth may be ill-equipped to handle Anthony Duclair’s absence.
Duclair, signed to a four-year, $14 million deal to play left wing on the top line, is out long term after injuring his right leg in Saturday’s 4-3, nine-round shootout win over the visiting Canadiens.
Simon Holmstrom was elevated from the third line to fill Duclair’s spot against the Red Wings, and Liam Foudy was recalled from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport to skate on the fourth line.
Pierre Engvall, in just the second season of a seven-year, $21 million deal, and Hudson Fasching also are at Bridgeport.
But do any of these options make the Islanders a dangerous team offensively? The immediate answer is no. Entering Wednesday’s play, only one team had scored fewer goals than the Islanders. Last season, only nine teams netted fewer.
President/general manager Lou Lamoriello may need to look outside the organization for help.
“We feel we’ve got the depth to do certain things,” Lamoriello said before being asked about investigating the trade market. “I think you’re always doing that. But it takes two to tango and you just can’t pull things out of the sky.”
2. They’re upbeat but it’s possible frustration will seep in.
No panic buttons are being pushed. On the contrary, the Islanders have been encouraged by their play, particularly in limiting the Red Wings to just 11 shots.
“Five-on-five, you finish a hockey game, even with penalty kills, and you give up [11] shots, you’re playing some pretty good hockey,” Anders Lee said. “I think that’s what’s frustrating. We came away with nothing, not even an overtime.”
The Islanders are a veteran group who understand the ultimate goal is to qualify for the playoffs and that the Stanley Cup can’t be won in October. Still, the players must be on guard against proverbially gripping their sticks too hard when the pucks aren’t going in and then trying to do too much as individuals rather than remain patient within the team’s framework.
3. Noah Dobson is a captain-in-waiting.
Lee, 34, has this season and next remaining on his seven-year, $49 million deal and it’s very possible Bo Horvat, the former Canucks captain given an “A” as an alternate this season upon Cal Clutterbuck’s departure, will be the next Islander to wear the “C.” But defenseman Noah Dobson, a captain in junior hockey, is quickly developing into a strong team leader at age 24. Plus, there’s a good case for him being considered the most valuable non-goalie on the roster.
“We’ve got to score, it’s plain and simple,” Dobson said after Tuesday’s loss, sounding like a captain. “There’s no point in pouting or getting frustrated about it. Just keep working here. Have a good couple of practices and get ready for Friday.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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