New York Islanders Season Opener Takeaways

The New York Islanders 2016-17 season opener has come and gone and it isn’t one to remember. Here’s some takeaways via Twitter.

So okay, it’s not time to panic, but for New York Islanders fans, it feels a little same stuff, different day. This was not the way to start the season especially with so many questions still lingering. P.A. Parenteau wasn’t going to make that much of a difference here, but there’s something to the fact that he scored for the New Jersey Devils tonight.

Still, let’s recap tonight.

This was early on, but John Tavares and Andrew Ladd were pretty much the only ones getting chances. Tavares was the recipient of a lot of stick work tonight including a nasty slash from J.T. Miller that definitely slowed him down.

The third period saw Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck step it up for about three minutes, but that was it. That. Was. It.

Okay so this not tonight, but it applies.

Please. We’re in danger of entering begging territory here because Nick Leddy and Travis Hamonic just didn’t have it together. They were on the ice for the majority of the Rangers goals and too many of their chances. There’s just no kind way to say they were awful.

If we’re going to take something positive from the two defensemen tonight, it’s that we won’t have to wait until the New Year to see Leddy score. I imagine that’s one Henrik Lundqvist would like to have back, too.

The goal was timely and brought some jump, but it wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t terribly special.

I don’t even want to address this but it’s necessary. Tonight was another example of Brock Nelson’s disappearing act. Sure he scored when the score was already 5-2 but show up for the whole game, thank you very much.

https://twitter.com/IslesWhiteSUV/status/786732602585649152

This power play wasn’t just frustrating, it was embarrassing. There is no sugar-coating this. So sure it’s not time to panic, but this is a continuation of the same futility from last season. Or actually, it was worse, and that’s saying a lot.

On a brighter note, though:

Anthony Beauvillier didn’t embarrass himself. He got himself an assist and skated well despite Nelson. We can hope he won’t be a victim of coaching staff panic – or ineptitude but hey, six of one, half dozen of another.

I liked Ryan Strome tonight. He had some unfortunate luck, but Strome hustled. He showed some flashes of the kid that broke through season before last. If nothing else, the Islanders need to see a continuation of that.

Next: New York Islanders Roundtable

It’s a first game and maybe it’s shaking off rust. The Islanders weren’t fast, they weren’t smart, and they only vaguely look like they know each other. If anything, that’s the most uncomfortable thing.