Islanders vs. Coyotes: Q&A with Howlin’ Hockey Expert

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Feb 24, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing David Moss (18) loses a pass to New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. New York Islanders won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

What About Their Weaknesses

Howlin’ Hockey, JH: Goaltending, to be frank.

Mike Smith is a hit-and-miss goalie to begin with and now he may be out long term with a lower-body injury. Louis Domingue did well in relief last season, but eventually wore down as he was asked to start every night due to the Coyotes lacking an NHL caliber backup behind him when Smith was injured.

With Smith injured already, Domingue and the Coyotes are once again in that same position. Domingue can provide league average goaltending, but right now the backup behind him is Justin Peters.

Yikes.

Eyes on Isles, MA: The New York Islanders need to put in a full 60-minute effort. It sounds ridiculous to be saying that about professionals making incredible sums of money, but the Islanders have been MIA for large portions of every contest.

They’ve shown over the last four games that they just can’t keep a consistent effort over the duration of a full game. It’s great if they can turn it on in the third period and level the score, but maybe if they played at that level in the first and second they might not have to dig themselves out of a hole later in the game?

The Coyotes are a young fast team, coasting through the first two frames is going to get the Isles in some hot trouble.