When John Tavares was drafted first overall back in 2009 it was the hope of many that he would lead the New York Islanders back into the glory days or at least something similar. You don’t have to remind Islander fans on the dynasty years, even if they are too young, they know about the 1980’s teams that included Trottier, Potvin, Bossy, among others who helped the Islanders win four Stanley Cups from 1980-1983.
It maybe took a little longer than some people wanted, but Tavares has in fact led this franchise back to success. Getting a sneak peak of the playoffs in 2013 the first time the Islanders had made the playoffs in six years. A tough series that went back and forth with the Pittsburgh Penguins ended in the Penguins getting the better of the Isles in six games. It’s always a disappointment to be eliminated from the playoffs but for the Islanders it felt like this was the beginning.
A set back the next season saw New York miss the playoffs but it was just one season later that we saw the start of something potentially special.
After some off-season moves that paid huge dividends most notably acquiring defensemen Nick Leddy from Chicago and Johnny Boychuk from Boston and upgrading in net getting Jaroslav Halak the Islanders looked ready to make a push. That push came early. A good four game win streak started the season followed by losing four of the next six but it was November that put this team in the best team in the league talks.
11-3-0 including two separate five game winning streaks put this team at the top of the division standings and in the top three where they would stay for the majority of the season eventually finishing third after losing the tiebreaker to the Washington Capitals and who now was their first round playoff opponent.
There was legitimate concern for New York going into the playoffs though, after putting themselves in a good position to start the season and holding that position the rest of the season, they tripped and stumbled and every other way you can describe struggling into the playoffs. Going a combined 6-7-5 in the finals two months of the season and soon playing a Washington Capitals team who surged through the second half of the season and who many picked to be eastern conference favorites.
This didn’t phase the Islanders though coming out tough and playing a great game one and stealing that game as well as home ice. Even in Game two they came out hard again leading that game 2-0 and 3-1 in the first half of that game. The Capitals would come back and win that game 4-3 in what might feel like a missed opportunity for New York.
It was possibly the most physical playoff series of the year heavy hit after heavy hit and plenty of controversy for big hits. The series was back and forth which ultimately finished with the Islanders losing the series in the seventh game. After a slow start to the series, it turned out to be one of the most entertaining of the entire year, not sure the Islander or their fans care but it’s something to brag about I guess.
Even though this team has improved and put together a one hundred point season for the first time since believe it or not 1981-82, there are things to work on. Defense was an issue last season, 2.73 goals against per game is just to high for a team wanting to go far. Something to consider on the other hand is how many goals they let up in the playoffs. In four of the seven games they let up two or less goals against one of the best offensive teams in the league the Capitals. They had a 1-0 and 2-1 series lead as well. It was a tight series and maybe it showed the team how to play more rounded hockey and hopefully they can play defense without giving up to much offense.
They don’t need to worry about offense, 2.99 goals for per game ranked top five last season they should be able to come close to that again next season with players like Tavares, Okposo, and Strome only getting better.
There hasn’t been many changes in this off-season for the Islanders. That has to tell you that management has faith that this team can go farther and there isn’t much reason to to think that too. It’s a young good group of players who should only go up and after getting over one hundred points this team can go from a very good team to one of the best next season. The only changes this team has made was trading a young defenseman Griffin Reinhart to Edmonton where they got a first round pick to draft Matthew Barzal, and then they signed goaltender Thomas Greiss. That’s pretty much it.
The Islanders seem set to go into the next season with the same roster as last season. There will be more pressure to get farther and maybe they need more help, the team does have plenty of cap space if they need help and if someone becomes available at the trade deadline. As for what to expect, I would say much of the same, some better defense after a nice playoff series against Washington, a great offense and exciting hockey.
The only issue could be the tightness of that division. Washington and the Rangers seem to be locks to get into the playoffs, then you have Pittsburgh who you have to expect to bounce back with a better season and a Columbus Blue Jackets team who looks better and should be better than last season. If we get the same Islanders team from last season it just might not be enough based on other teams improving. Just like every other division and wild card race I expect this one to be close but New York should get in.
On another note to end this, the Islanders move into the Barclays Center this season. I’m sure it’ll be weird for many fans to watch their team in a new barn and it’ll be interesting to see how that place works with the arena being designed for basketball and now having hockey there how will the seats be, any bad seats, any obstructions? It’s an exciting time for Islanders fans and this season could be a lot of fun.
