The first three games of the New York Isles have been bleak. They have made more turnovers than a bakery. That is concerning because the Isles are not a young team. They should know better. There is no urgency in the dressing room. In order for the Islanders to be successful, they have to play a full sixty minutes.
The main question is: Is this a matter of lack of effort? Or are the Islanders this bad? Can it be both? There is no way I believe the team’s talent level is this bad. Our advantage is that we’ve only played three games this season. There is plenty of time to fix this ship before we go out to sea.
The Power Play
The biggest issue I would like to see improved is the power play. The power play lacks imagination. It is easy to predict what they will do. Enough with the passing and trying to be fancy; you can’t score a goal without shouting. Let’s shoot the puck. Get the puck back to the point, shoot it, and see what happens. I love it when Schaefer is dancing around. Don’t get me wrong, I also love it when Matthew Barzal is being dangerous. But, when it comes down to it, it’s getting the puck to the net.
Schaefer is the next Denis Potvin
I understand Schaefer’s excitement. He is the best thing since sliced bread. Yes, he has been excellent, but highs and lows are a part of every rookie’s life. He is a terrific young player with tons of talent, but it is a little too early to compare him to Potvin or the ultimate—Bobby Orr. Not that he isn’t a promising prospect, but putting that kind of pressure on an 18-year-old is crazy. We have to worry about the kid’s psyche if his play drops.
Final word
Bottom line, it’s still early. When it comes down to the Isles season, the goaltending will be crucial. Sooner or later, Serokin will have to steal some games. I have no doubt Horvat will be better. The only question with Barzal is his health. The scoring support has to pick up for the Isles to be successful.
Randy
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