New York Islanders Need To Add A Top Defenseman Now

After a hot start, the New York Islanders have been fighting a mostly uphill battle ever since. Due to sub-par goaltending, as well as poor defensive play from a decimated defensive unit, the Islanders are on pace to allow nearly three hundred goals this season.

The only reason the New York Islanders are still in the Eastern Conference playoff conversation is that this team’s offensive output has led the way. The Islanders are currently second in the NHL in goals scored with 159, which has been a direct result of having quite possibly the best first two lines in the league.

If the Islanders could match their defensive efficiency to the advanced play of their offense, they would likely be sitting pretty among the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Unfortunately, the New York Islanders have not been so lucky on the defensive side of things, allowing the most goals in the NHL up to this point.

After forty-six games the Islanders have allowed 168 goals. On the current pace that they’re on, the Isles are allowing 3.65 goals per game. Over an eighty-two game season, allowing 3.65 goals per game, the New York Islanders are projected to allow 299 goals this season.

Issues for the New York Islanders

Obviously, the New York Islanders will need improved play from their goaltenders and from their defense. For the Islanders to keep their heads above water and stay in contention, they’ll need both of these areas of concern to be addressed immediately.

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The Islanders have allowed way too many shots over their past two games. Thomas Greiss should never have to make over 50 saves in a game and barely win it. If not for John Tavares‘ heroics and another unreal performance from the Islanders second line, there would have been no winning streak to attempt to keep intact against the Devils.

Jaroslav Halak took a step back last night after playing well during the New York Islanders three-game winning streak. He wasn’t awful, but there were a couple of goals that were unaffected by defensive play. The two goals that come to mind are the bombs that Damon Severson put by Halak over a two-minute span in the second period. Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque couldn’t have prevented those goals from being scored.

What needs to be done?

The Islanders need to seriously contemplate bringing in a top-four defenseman via trade before the February 26th deadline. It’s become clear that the reinforcements brought up from Bridgeport in the absence of Calvin de Haan and Johnny Boychuk will simply not suffice in the long run. The New York Islanders need great improvement from their top two defensive pairings in order to stay competitive.

Unfortunately, pairing Nick Leddy with Scott Mayfield or Sebastian Aho hasn’t been (and will continue to not be) effective against the top lines of other playoff contenders. GM Garth Snow needs to make a move as soon as possible before those other contenders begin to exploit the Islanders most glaring weakness.

A move doesn’t necessarily need to be made in the netminders’ department. That is, unless, neither Jaroslav Halak or Thomas Greiss, singularly or as a group, improve dramatically. If Jaro can forget about his performance last night and continue to be as effective as he has been of late, the New York Islanders would be in a considerably better position.

Next: Measuring Islanders Injury Impacts

The Islanders would find themselves in an even better position if Thomas Greiss can make the most of his sporadic appearances and get back to where he was. If the New York Islanders can add a top line defenseman and improve their goaltending, it’s not inconceivable to think that the Isles could head into the playoffs with one of the more formidable squads in the Eastern Conference.

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