3 reasons the NY Islanders should have more optimism this postseason than last
A few key players could be the difference between success and failure against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The NY Islanders have clinched a postseason berth for the fifth time in the last six seasons. This marks the most playoff appearances in a six year span since the post-dynasty years of 1984-1990. Similar to those Islanders teams, this roster has mostly remained the same with positive additions added along the way. Unlike those teams, this Islanders roster is yet to play beyond the Eastern Conference Finals. Suffice it to say, we will keep our fingers crossed that 2024 will be the year, despite what the pundits may say.
The glaring wall standing in the Islanders' way of achieving success is taking down the Carolina Hurricanes in round one. In 2019, the Isles were swept 4-0 after they shut down the Pittsburgh Penguins in round one. Last season, the Isles put up a better fight but still lost in six games. This season, there is more reason to be optimistic given certain circumstances surrounding some of the team's top players.
1. Bo Horvat is better acclimated to playing with the Islanders
In 2022-23, the Islanders' biggest problems came on the offensive end of the ice. The team's powerplay ranked in the NHL's bottom tier with their goal total being 23rd overall. With the immense effort from Ilya Sorokin to keep the Isles top five in terms of the fewest goals allowed, the team remained in the midseason playoff picture. Just like when Jacob deGrom used to pitch for the New York Mets, the Islanders were losing many low-scoring games that were becoming unacceptable.
Given the circumstances, Lou Lamoriello traded the team's 2023 first-round draft pick along with Anthony Beauvillier and Aatu Raty to the Vancouver Canucks for a top goal scorer in Bo Horat. Upon his arrival, Horvat had 31 goals and 23 assists in 49 games. However, the 27-year-old centerman did not keep this pace as he only scored 7 more goals in 2022-23, including just one in the playoffs.
Without question, Horvat has proved his first 30 games in an Islanders uniform meant nothing in terms of his career trajectory. In 81 games this season, the centerman has scored 33 goals with 35 assists. Horvat has produced these numbers mainly with Mathew Barzal by his side. More impressively, the Isles' top line has lacked a consistent left winger, leaving Barzal and Horvat to carry the offensive load. If the Islanders are to compete well with the Hurricanes, having a version of Horvat that is more comfortable playing on Long Island compared to last season will certainly give fans more optimism.
2. Mathew Barzal finished the season healthy
Before the acquisition of Horvat, Lane Lambert had a revolving door in terms of his top-line construction. On opening night, the Islanders paired Josh Bailey and Oliver Wahlstrom with Barzal in search of offensive consistency. Unfortunately, Wahlstrom only played 35 games after having a strong start to the season. Once it became clear Bailey's production was in decline, Lambert went through leaps and bounds to find replacements.
The Islanders practically tried the entire roster on their top line with Barzal and nothing stuck. We even saw Matt Martin get top left-winger ice time, which is something the Islanders have never done before. However, Lamoriello had seen enough and acquired Horvat at the trade deadline. In the five games Barzal and Horvat played together, they each recorded goals and looked like a pairing destined for success. However, Barzal missed the final 24 games in 2022-23 and looked rusty against the Hurricanes.
Luckily, Barzal will finish the 2023-24 season healthy having appeared in 81 games. The 26-year-old centerman turned right winger has had his best performance since his Calder Award Winning season in 2017-18. He has scored 23 goals with 57 assists, marking his second time recording 80 or more points in a season. Since most of Barzal's ice time has come playing with Horvat, they have developed the chemistry Lamoriello and fans both envisioned at the all-star break in 2023. Without any concern for rust heading into the playoffs this season, fans will be more optimistic that Barzal will be a major factor against the Hurricanes in 2023-24.
3. Semyon Varlamov has a role this postseason
The 2022-23 Islanders rode Sorokin from opening night to an eventual wild-card berth in April. The 27-year-old goaltender started 60 games last season producing a .924 save percentage in 1,838 opposing shot attempts. Sorokin's six shutouts led the NHL and resulted in a second-place finish for the Vezina Trophy. However, Lambert may have gotten carried away by this luxurious performance as he asked Sorokin to start the final 12 games of 2022-23 including all six playoff games against the Hurricanes.
Playing Sorokin in nearly every game down the stretch left Semyon Varlamov without a role on the playoff roster. The 16-year veteran only played in 23 games last season with a .913 save percentage in 629 opposing shots on goal. Under Barry Trotz's leadership, the Isles always split ice time more evenly between both goaltenders. This was the case even back when Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner suited up in blue and orange in 2018-19. However, Lambert essentially glued Varlamov to the bench without explanation.
The 2023-24 season has been different for the 35-year-old goaltender. Under his former head coach Patrick Roy, Varlamov has started 7 of the last 10 games this season. He is 6-1-0 over this stretch of games allowing just 3 or fewer goals in all of them. With Sorokin having a down season due to fatigue and poor defensive performance at the blue line, Varlamov has become integral to the Isles' success and figures to play a role against the Hurricanes this postseason.