Stepping Up Their Game: 5 Statements about the Islanders

The New York Islanders must step up their game this season. There are five areas that I feel the New York Islanders need to focus on in particular. Hence, the five statements.

Matthew Barzal & Bo Horvat

Matthew and Bo must learn to play nice with each other. For the Islanders to be a successful hockey team, these two players have to be the leaders of the team. They will have to learn each other's tendencies and where each will be. Bo needs to make the most of Matthew's passing setups, while Matthew needs to avoid making blind passes. Both are great skaters and are great at setting the pace. They have to learn to share the puck. If they both can share the spotlight, it will be an exciting New Year for the New York Islanders. With Horvat and Barzal accelerating their performance, the offense can become a formidable force.

The Islanders' Powerplay

To say the New York Islanders' powerplay is dismal is an understatement. There was no imagination. You can predict every powerplay what they were going to do. However, things are set to change this year with Barzal and Horvat making their mark; there will be an increase in passing, shooting, and scoring. Combine that with Noah Dobson's powerful shot, and New York should have a top-notch powerplay.  

Secondary scoring

The Isles need help from the second and third lines to pick up the scoring. The Islanders can't wholly rely on their top six players. The bottom six must add some oomph to the scoring. Players such as Pierre Engvall and Hudson Fasching, amongst others, have to learn to contribute to the scoring. If the bottom six cannot contribute to the scoring, the New York Islanders will have difficulty keeping up with the big boys.

Islanders Defense

The defense must continue to show the last season was no fluke. They must continue to add scoring to the offense. Pulock and Dobson will have to have career years for the Isles to succeed. They both have terrific slap shots. They must use them to their best advantage.

Coaching

Lambert and company have to be smart with the tools that they have among the players. It will be massive if the powerplays and the penalty kill are successful. These areas need to be improved for the team to succeed.

If the New York Islanders can improve in each of these areas, they will be a playoff team.

Randy,

Farewell to the Nassau Coliseum

 

I often get emotional when I say goodbye to old arenas. The Nassau Coliseum is no different. Even though I have never been to the old arena, I still marvel at its mystique throughout the years.  I even remembered my nickname for the arena being The Stadium That Mike Bossy Built. That was my unique nickname for the Nassau Coliseum.  

Everyone has their memories of the Nassau Coliseum. I want to share mine, even if I didn't grow up to be an Isles fan. 

January 24, 1981

One of the best snipers of all time, Mike Bossy, scored 50 goals in 50 games. That feat itself is amazing. Mike was so consistent with one of the quickest releases on a wrist shot. But the thing I remember most was, of course, the dance.

May 24, 1980

Bobby Nystrom was sent in by John Tonelli to capture the Stanley Cup over the Islanders. First of all, Bobby Nystrom should have been known as Mr. Clutch. The guy knew how to score big-time goals. The shot was heard worldwide, a classic memory for the old barn. What a terrific setup by Tonelli—a perfect touch pass. 

May 17, 1983

My third memory was the Stanley Cup Finals when the Oilers reached the final against the Islanders. The Oilers were pretty much the talk of the town. The Isles outworked the Oilers in the series, taking advantage of Oilers youth, and completed the sweep on May 17, 1983, in front of the screaming lunatics at the barn. 

All I can say is here is to all the memories. Cheers.

Randy