The New York Islanders offense has dried up of late. The Islanders have been having trouble getting scoring chances. Not to name names (cough cough — Josh Bailey and all the third and fourth lines.) The main problem is that the Islanders need more goals from the bottom-six. Most people seem to think the Islanders are one top-six forward away from being a contender. There are others to think that they are two forwards away from being contenders. I think they are one very good top forward or two good forwards away from a contender.
Let me throw out an exciting theory; maybe they don't need another forward at all. Perhaps the Islanders can get more from the forwards they have? As I have written before, I firm believer in Pageau with Wahlstrom and Bellows. To me, that is the perfect line. Wahlstrom and Bellows need their freedom to achieve success. It may be that the Islanders system is too stifling to create offensive scoring chances. Wahlstrom and Bellows also need a reliable centre to distribute the puck. Pageau can match their speed.
If they did open up the system a little, maybe the offense would come more easily. Goaltending has been outstanding with Varly and Sorokin. The defensive zone coverage has been great. If the offense could open up just a little, maybe the need for a forward would lessen. The Islanders offense just needs a nudge. Perhaps it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, maybe it doesn't need surgery at all. Too often, we panic and do an overhaul when we could tweak a bit instead. Too many times, I have seen GM panic and buy out the the store when all they need is some chocolate, if you get my drift. Do not press that button.
Randy
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