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New York Islanders Road Trip: A Big Trade Decision Looms

By Christopher Lizza|
Feb 14, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders forward Andrew Ladd (16) slides underneath Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders forward Andrew Ladd (16) slides underneath Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

After this weekend’s home and home with the Devils, the New York Islanders embark on a season-long nine game road trip. So far this year the road has not been kind to the Islanders, as they currently have a record of 7-13-4. How will the Isles fair on this long and winding road trip?

The New York Islanders almost feel like a rock band going on tour. Using that analogy the Isles first leg of the tour is the week of February 27th.

The Islanders start in Detroit on February 28th, and then go to Montreal and Columbus, with a day off after each game. After their game with the Blue Jackets on February 25th, the Islanders have four days off.

New York Islanders

Decision Time

After their game in Columbus on February 25th, the Islanders do not play again until after the March 1st, trade deadline. This will be a time of practice for Doug Weight and the boys.

More importantly, this will be a time of critical decision-making by Garth Snow and the ownership group of Scott Malkin and Jonathan Ledecky. Will the Islanders make a major trade before they continue on the road trip?

Second Leg

The Islanders pick-up the road trip with back to back games on March 2nd and 3rd in Dallas and Chicago. It’s the only time during this long road trip that the Islanders have a game in consecutive nights. Because of that, it will be interesting to see how often Weight uses J.F. Berube during this trip.

After their game in Chicago, the Islanders go through a stretch of a game day followed by a day off. These games include stops in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and St. Louis. The trip end Saturday, March 11th against the Blues.

Saying this nine-game road trip comes at a critical time is a huge understatement. The Islanders must improve their play on the road not only on this trip but throughout the rest of the season.

Next: A Review of Isles Face-Off Record in February

Having the trade deadline in the first-third of this trip adds a critical time and decision for the organization as well. Will the Islanders land a Matt Duchene type of player by the deadline?

How the Islanders do on this nine-game road trip could very well decide if they make the playoffs or not!

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