New York Islanders Winners And Losers Of Week 2
The New York Islanders offensive strength has gone missing over the opening four contests. If they can find their scoring touch they can get back to winning ways.
Opening the season with a single win out of four contest wasn’t what the New York Islanders had planned. Who does? Dropping six points to start the season put’s the Isles at an early disadvantage.
But getting two wins on the bounce against Western opposition has injected some new life into the team. One was a nervy 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes, the other a big 6-3 win against the Minnesota Wild.
Before that statement win the duo of Ladd and Tavares had but two points to their names. It’s something that wasn’t going to last, but it certainly caused some worries. After those two games the two have a nice six points combined. (Although Tavares has five of them).
Are the Isles back on track? Probably, but a two game winning streak isn’t something to rest your laurels on. There’s much work to be done, and lots still needs to improve for the Orange and Blue to truly keep this pace up. Because at the moment the Isles are looking very much like a .500 team. And last I checked .500 teams don’t generally get into the playoffs.
But with a 2-1-0 record over the last seven days who are the winners and losers for the Islanders? Maybe John Tavares for a big three points against Minnesota. Or maybe it’s Strome for seemingly finding a way to get back to form?
Oct 18, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) celebrates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Barclays Center. The goal was his first NHL career goal. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Winner: Anthony Beauvillier
Anothy Beauvillier came to camp hoping to make the active roster,but probably wasn’t expecting to actually get a spot on the team. Sure enough, the 19-year-old Québec native forced himself onto the roster alongside fellow 2015 1st rounder Mathew Barzal.
The two bandied about the roster for the first few days, trading turns in the press box. But since being named to the team Beauvillier has one goal and two assists. Barzal, nothing.
The standout to his performance for the Isles wasn’t his first NHL goal, but a goal he single handedly engineered against the Wild. Blocking a shot at his own blue line, he took the puck down the other end, pulled a defender from the shooting lane and layed it off for Alan Quine to put it past Darcy Keumper for his first NHL goal.
Beauvillier fits. He’s shown in this small sample that he’s ready for the NHL. He can confidently, and competently slot into that third line support cast scoring role nicely. A role previously occupied by Shane Prince. So we’ll see what type of roster drama we’re in for once Prince comes off the IR list.
It’s not to say that Beauvillier is better than Barzal, both are great talents. It’s that Beauvillier is producing, he’s getting results. And the NHL is a results oriented business.
If Beauvillier can keep this production up for the remainder of the season, the Isles are going to look mighty smart for keeping him in favor of PA Parenteau.
Oct 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Andrew Cogliano (7) sends the puck past New York Islanders left wing Andrew Ladd (16) during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Loser: Andrew Ladd
Going into the game against the Minnesota Wild, Islanders marquee free agency signing Andrew Ladd had zero points.
That’s zero points in the first five games. Zero points playing alongside one of the better players in the NHL in John Tavares. Something just isn’t clicking for the two.
Either both don’t know how the other is going to act on the ice, or there just out of sync. They just aren’t clicking.
And it’s not like Ladd’s fortunes changed against the Wild. While the Islanders were on the right end of a 6-3 win, Ladd contributed a single point. Getting an assists on the final goal, an empty netter for John Tavares.
It’s not to say that Ladd isn’t trying. The former Jets captain has 14 shots to his name in the regular season. But for whatever reason he just isn’t able to bury his chances. Maybe it’s poor shot selection, bad positioning on the ice when taking a shot, or maybe it’s just bad puck luck.
Either or, it shouldn’t last. Ladd is too good of a player to have this trend stick over the course of an 82 game season. Ladd’s PDO is a horrendous 92.3, meaning he should return to the mean of 100 sooner rather than later.
Thankfully Islanders fans can rest in the knowledge that coach Jack Capuano will likely resist the urge to split the two up just yet. Instead letting the natural course of playing time rectify Ladd’s scoring woes.
Oct 21, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) celebrates scoring the game winning goal during the third period against Arizona Coyotes at Barclays Center. New York Islanders won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Winner: Johnny Boychuk
After the Islanders exited the playoffs there was a ton of concern with Johnny Boychuk. Was there an unknown injury or was this signs of a regressing defenseman? Boychuk was still valuable as a defender but the offense was just not there in 2015-16.
His point total dropped by 10 points during the season but his goal total remained the same. His penalty minutes also steadily increased. Islanders fans were scared to say the least because Boychuk is still under contract through the 2021-2022 season.
Boychuk has seen a bit of a resurgence so far in the early 2016 season. He has goals in back to back games, both coming in similar fashion. They were both slapshots directly off the faceoff. It’s no secret that he’s got a big booming shot. He just has to put it to use.
Hopefully he sees more time on the power play as that can be a nice asset for the Isles to have. They are just 1/15 on the power play this year so why not try it.
Ultimately Boychuk had a solid week and a solid start to the season so he finds himself as a winner this week.
Oct 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck as New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) defends in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Loser: Mathew Barzal
Barzal has one game under his belt so far this year. He is definitely losing playing time to Anthony Beauvillier who has clicked well.
Ever since his very rookie like mistake he has been unable to find the ice. Although I’m sure he’s enjoying the popcorn in the press box it would be ideal to see what you have out of this kid. Ultimately I think due to the emergence of Beauvillier and his mental lapse he will be on the next flight to Seattle.
It’s not necessarily his fault, there’s just no where to put him at the moment. Although the Islanders would be lying if they said that he wouldn’t be valuable on the otherwise anemic power play.
He’ll get his chance eventually, it’s more of Beauvillier establishing himself than proving that Barzal isn’t NHL ready. He’s still yet to prove anything about himself in just one game.
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