Islanders Need More From Jordan Eberle

After signing an extension to stay on Long Island, the New York Islanders were hoping Jordan Eberle would return to form. He hasn’t yet.

2019-2020 has been a rocky year for Jordan Eberle. He missed time with injury already this year for the Islanders but has 17 points in 29 games. On paper, that’s not awful it’s roughly 42 points for the season after missing 10 games.

The issue for Eberle so far this year is scoring. He has just three goals on the entire season and they came in two games.

At first, Eb’s went his first 14 games without a goal this season. It would take him another five to get his third and now it’s been another eight since he last scored. At this pace, he would only net seven on the season.

The Islanders need Jordan Eberle to get back to a 20 goal scorer. I’m not asking him to put up 30 plus, something he’s only done once in his career. If he’s in that 20-25 goal range and in the 50’s for points that’s perfect.

It appeared that Eberle would be back to form after a strong playoffs in 2019, netting four goals and nine points in the Islanders’ eight games. An injury and slow start so far has fans scratching their head when it comes to Eberle.

A positive sign, he’s back playing with Mathew Barzal who he thrives with. Since coming to the Islanders, Eberle and Barzal better known as Gary and Gary have had a unique chemistry with each other.

When Barzal and Eberle on the ice together, they have a Goals For Percentage of 55.2 and a High Danger Goals For Percentage of 57.9 percent according to Natural Stat Trick. In laments terms, the Isles are in better scoring chances and scoring more goals when they play together.

When Eberle is with anyone else other than Barzal, gis GF% drops to 50.5 and his HDGF% drops to 48.4. Clearly, since the start of 2017-2018, Eberle is more effective when he’s with Barzal.

Ideally, this is what snaps Eb’s out of his funk. The Isles don’t really have another choice but the reunion of Beauvillier – Barzal – Eberle and Lee – Nelson – Bailey is something to peak my interest.

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Yes, changing the lines isn’t a 100 percent fix but it’s a start. The third line could still use some help but just focusing on Eberle for now, this should make him his most productive.