New York Islanders Are In Danger Of Letting Their Season Slip Away

The New York Islanders 2017-18 season is in serious danger of spiraling out of control. If the Islanders can’t get out of this current funk they’re in, and fast, they will find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.

Coming into Tuesday night’s game with the Boston Bruins, the New York Islanders had lost two of their last three games. The most recent loss coming in embarrassing fashion in a 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night.

Islanders fans have been openly begging for GM Garth Snow to make a move. An upgrade to our defense would be great, but there’s an underlying issue that’s been plaguing the New York Islanders virtually all season. That would be the lack of energy and loss of fight once they are down by a couple of goals.

They lost the game before they came out of the tunnel

With the Islanders facing Eastern Conference rivals in each of their next four games, they needed to start the week off on the right foot versus the Bruins. They did not. From the time the puck dropped, the Bruins controlled the game. The first real signs of life the Isles showed all night was the skirmish in front of Boston’s net late in the third period, well after the game was in hand.

If the New York Islanders want to keep their heads above water, they’ll need to turn this thing around quickly. They can’t continue to come out of the locker room flat, give up quick goals, and have to fight their way back into what feels like every game they play.

Jordan Eberle‘s tying goal, just a minute and change after Boston made it 1-0, was a Bruins mistake that Eberle was able to capitalize on. It was a heads-up play, but it was a lucky break. If the Islanders want to start winning games again they’ll need to start creating more of their own opportunities.

The kids are alright

Recent New York Islanders call-ups Sebastian Aho and Tanner Fritz both played well tonight. Fritz was giving 100% effort throughout the game, which is great to see. Aho continued to show poise, though chances to showcase his offensive prowess came sparingly.

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Ryan Pulock played alongside both Aho and Thomas Hickey at times tonight. Pulock needs to show that he is deserving of the added responsibility he’s been receiving in the absence of two of the Isles top four defensemen.  If this Islanders team is going to remain in the playoff race, they’ll need their prospects to adapt to the NHL game as quickly as possible.

Hopefully, Tanner Fritz will provide a much-needed spark to the third line.  It’s probably asking a lot, but the Islanders need their young defensemen to improve at hyper-speed. A trade for a top-four D-man would be the quick fix but the Isles can’t count on that. The only real solution for this team is improved play on both ends of the ice.

Next: Islanders Three Blockbuster Trade Ideas

Progress needs to be made whether an addition is made or not. Adding an all-star or even just a cog won’t change the fact that the New York Islanders need to improve their overall play. If they don’t make the necessary adjustments soon, it may be too late.