Here We Go Again, Islanders! Less Hooking, More Hockey

The Isles seem to have these nasty habits every time the season opens. Some they have managed to improve; with others, fate has raised its ugly head.  

The defense is making mistakes at the worst times

The Isles are playing competitively this year; I have no problem with their effort. The problem is the defensive lapses that lead to penalties and scoring chances against. The Isles cannot afford to fall behind. It is not a good way to win.

Serokin has to be perfect

Serokin has to be on his game for the Isles to win. It seems like Serokin is bailing his team out every game. The team has to support Serokin by cutting down on shots against. Mental errors have to be minimized.

More offence

The Isles’ offense has to improve. The bottom six need to step up. It’s time for anyone on the defense not named Schaefer to get involved. Finally, the core has to live up to expectations—offense is a team effort.

The penalties have to stop

Especially for tripping and hooking because they didn’t take that extra stride. Too often, players get caught flat-footed and take the lazy way out with the trip or holding the stick.

Not getting off to a clear start

The Isles need to get going quicker. The first goal is vital; it greatly increases their chances of winning. The Isles’ slow periods need to be cut down. Their loss to the Leafs is a great example: they fell behind 2-0, ran into a hot goalie, and lost 2-1. Getting the first goal will be critical to the Isles’ success.

Final word: The Barzal injury and how to overcome it

The captain has risen; Horvat’s play has improved vastly this season. Kyle Palmieri is showing signs of picking up his play. Mr. Dependable Matthew Schaefer is holding strong. The Islanders work as a team; they can be successful, but it takes a team effort. Hard work and dedication in defending their zone will pay off.  

Same Old Leafs: Why Toronto’s Defence Still Lets Them Down

This season has a familiar tune. I will show what I mean.

Tanev injured

Tanev is a warrior; every game, he throws himself into the action the same way. He abandons all common sense and suffers for it. It is like clockwork: everyone comments on how much they love him and mourns him when he goes back to the infirmary. I fear the nurses and doctors know him as well as his family does.

Leafs abandon all defense

The Leafs abandon all defense and leave the goalies to the dogs. And everyone blames the goalie 100 percent. I’m not saying the goaltending doesn’t deserve some of the blame, but the brainless play in front of the net doesn’t help. Stolarz has struggled, but his teammates have checked out.

Matthews and Nylander hit near deity status

Nylander is on fire. He has been skating like the wind, doing his thing. His shot has been deadly, scoring at will. I have loved the way he’s been skating—going in and out of traffic, and making plays out of nothing.

Matthews, meanwhile, has made a new friend in McKenna. Matthews’ one-timers are fun to watch as he finds openings to shoot. He has that knack for finding scoring opportunities. His health is a factor, as we finally have a healthy Auston.

The only consistent thing is the Leafs’ inconsistency.

The habit of winning a game and then losing the next is comical. We never know what the Maple Leafs will bring. The only sure thing is chaos. The Leafs will have to score 5 goals to win because their defense is atrocious. Fans will feel like they are on a rollercoaster, loving their heroes one minute and sending them to death row the next.

Final word

Word is the Leafs are on the hunt for defensive help. So, tell me what else is new? Yup, same old Leafs. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I, for one, have seen this movie; can we choose another theater? One ending with some silverware?

Randy