New York Islanders Roundtable: Over/Under 100 points
The New York Islanders start their quest for the Stanley Cup, or at least the Conference Finals today. What are the odds they attain the 100 point plateau one again for a third year?
For the last two season, the New York Islanders have put up 100 point season. That 100 point plateau is the defacto delineation mark for a place in the post-season.
For those ‘footy’ fans out there. It’s a similar line to the “40-points-of-safety” from the English Premier League. There’s no guarantee that 40 will save a team from being relegated to the lower division, but it decreases the odds significantly.
It’s not official that if you hit 100 points you’re guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. It’s more of a general guideline. Hit 100 points and you’re fairly certain you’ll make it.
Last seasons 100 point was enough to secure a wildcard spot in the east falling a single point shy of a seeded position, taken by the Rangers. But conversely 100 points wasn’t enough to stave off a scare from the Philadelphia Flyers near the tail end of the season.
So with that being said, this week’s roundtable question to the Eyes on Isles team was:
What’s the Over/Under on the Islanders hitting 100 points in 2016-17?
Can the Isles comfortably make the post-season in one of three seeded position in the Metropolitan division? Are they going to dog it out for a wildcard spot? Or are they going to miss out entirely?
Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) scores past New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Lizza
The New York Islanders will hit at least 100 points for the third consecutive season. The main reason being the Islanders depth in between the pipes and on the blue line will have them in just about every game.
Is there a team in the NHL deeper in goal than the Islanders? Many teams would be thrilled to have J.F. Berube as their back-up goaltender. He is third on the Isles depth chart. Jaroslav Halak showed in the World Cup he is a #1 goaltender in this league. Thomas Greiss proved last year he can take over the reigns if Halak goes down with an injury.
The Islanders run eight deep regarding NHL defenseman. The top five is the usual suspects of the last couple of seasons in Travis Hamonic, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Calvin de Haan, and Thomas Hickey. The Islanders signed Dennis Seidenberg for insurance but also have talented youngsters Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech.
With the talent and depth the Islanders have from a defensive standpoint, a 100 point season is in the offering for 2016-17.
Sep 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Islanders right wing Josh Ho-Sang (66) carries the puck past Philadelphia Flyers center Chris VandeVelde (76) during the second period during a preseason hockey game at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Farrell Hirsch
I think by the end of this season there’s going to be an Islander team we love. They’ll be fast and young and enthusiastic with as many as five or six rookies in Berube, Pelech, Pulock, Ho-Sang, Beauvillier, and Barzal.
But six rookie team is bound to experience some painful episodes during an eight-month season. all seasons go in waves — teams have hot streaks, cold streaks and 50/50 periods.
And each one seems like the permanent definition of the season as you’re living through it as a fan. But I assume this much youth will make the streaks more pronounced.
So while I think the team will probably fall short of that 100 point mark this year, I would also expect them to hit the ground running in the playoffs and dispose of a higher ranked team with relative ease… I said relative.
Sep 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada centre John Tavares (20) skates against Team Europe in the third period during game two of the World Cup of Hockey final at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Matt O’Leary
Many will claim that the Islanders took a step back due to the players they lost. I’m not one of those people. Personally, I think Andrew Ladd’s point production will be very similar to Kyle Okposo’s. The age difference might become a factor later in the contract, but for the first few years they will be very similar production-wise. Plus Ladd adds more veteran experience as someone who has went on deep playoff runs.
Jason Chimera is an upgrade over Matt Martin. I loved what Matty brought to this team on and off the ice but the production isn’t even close. Chimera is a much faster player and he can score, as he showed last year putting up 40 points.
Losing Frans Nielsen is the one that hurts the most. Ultimately I think it will be a combination of Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier that replace the workload Nielsen left behind.
You could argue all day long if they actually improved, but they are at least as good as they were last year. They finished at exactly 100 points last year and I’m expecting them to finish over 100 points again this year.
Ultimately when you have a player like John Tavares, a solid defensive core, and the goalie tandem that the Islanders do they should be a lock for 100+ points.
Oct 23, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Michel Anderson
Two seasons doesn’t make a trend. But a third season at 100 points and a trend we might have. That sounds all very Master Yoda like, but it’s true. Two seasons at 100 points means nothing for season three.
What the Islanders need to focus on to at least maintain that 100 points is interdivisional play. Like tonight’s game against the Rangers.
The Isles dropped a paltry 16 points in total to Metropolitan division teams last season. If they keep that kind of record they stand a good chance at repeating something close to 100 points.
To get above 100 the key for the Islanders is going to be inter-conference play. That’s playing against other teams in the Eastern Conference not named the Metropolitan (that’s the Atlantic division for those playing along).
Last season the Islanders dropped a total of 24 points against teams from the Atlantic division. They were particularly woeful against Montréal and Boston. Going 0-0-6 combined. Better that result and they hit 100+.
Now, are they likely to do that? With Carey Price back in nets for the habs, probably not. Or they’re chances aren’t any better at least. Boston, on the other hand, looks ripe for some points plunderin’.
More from Eyes On Isles
This article originally appeared on 
