Good Morning, Islanders Country.
They say 99 percent of all statistics only tell 49 percent of the story. The Islanders’ season is only nine games old, and whether or not you view that as a small sample size, some promising statistical trends have emerged following the team’s three-game winning streak.
The NHL rule of thumb is that Thanksgiving (of the American variety) is when you can start viewing stats and standings with a bit of conviction. That’s still 13 games away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the here-and-now.
“We’re trying to be more creative. We’re trying to play faster and create more chances in the offensive zone and guys are doing that. The confidence in our group is good right now. It’s high. We believe in ourselves a lot.” - Casey Cizikas
While it was never explicitly said, the hiring of Lane Lambert was done to ignite a mostly dormant offense with a more active defense and overall aggressive style. So far, so good - especially statistically speaking.
The Isles have scored at least five goals four times already this season after doing so only 10 times last year. After Saturday, the team led the league in goals by a defenseman with nine, and their 23 points were only second only to the Avalanche with 24.
Their 3.67 goals-per-game is currently fourth-best in the NHL, and that is with a power play that is converting less than 11% of their opportunities, 28th in the league. Want more? In a bit, we’ll have more for the analytics crowd.
Coming up, the Isles are starting to feel they can beat anybody again, and the defense is bought into their new structure. Plus, Barry Trotz is on another podcast, why Goran Hogosta is the Isles’ Moonlight Graham and the perfect costume for an Islanders captain.
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: The Islanders were back on the ice at practice on Monday ahead of hopping on a plane and heading to Chicago for tonight’s game against the Blackhawks. During media availability, the Isles sounded like a team brimming with confidence after acing an early season test last week.
◾️ FEELING IT: In amNewYork, Joe Pantorno writes that although the presence behind the bench has changed, a familiar vibe is returning to the dressing room after winning the last three games.
“We have that feeling again of we can really beat anybody,” Mathew Barzal said on Monday. “The years we went to the playoffs, any situation we could win. The other night down three, coming back and winning, it felt like we found that again. It felt good. “We feel like we could beat anybody, and I like where this group’s head is at.”
🛋 GETTING COMFORTABLE: In Newsday, Andrew Gross explains that the Isles turnaround has coincided with the back end becoming more comfortable with their defensive structure.
“I think guys have bought in,” said defenseman Ryan Pulock. “It’s been a lot of similar stuff in the past. There’s always little tweaks here and there. It’s less thinking about where you’re supposed to be. It’s just moving your feet and getting to the spots and doing your job. Guys are working and getting back and getting to their spots naturally. It just helps you play more freely and play right.”
🏒 AT THE TOP: Per Natural Stat Trick, The Islanders have the highest GF/60 in the NHL. This stat captures the rate of goals for a team per 60 minutes of play when playing at even strength, minus empty net situations.
🚨 ZACH ATTACK: Per moneypuck.com, the ageless Zach Parise has the top expected goals per 60 minutes of ice time for the entire NHL for players that have played at least 100 minutes played 5 on 5), and it’s by a wide margin. The eye test makes this less shocking as Parise has once again been arguably their most consistent forward, with constant energy and effort that creates chances.
⏭ NEXT UP: The Islanders kick off their three-game road trip in Chicago tonight against the Blackhawks. The face-off is set for 8:30 PM ET. The midwest trip then continues on to St. Louis on Thursday night.
📊 STANDINGS:
Ex-Islanders coach Barry Trotz was a guest on The Bob McCown Podcast. As always, he was forthcoming in a way fans (and the New York press) miss. I just love listening to Barry talk hockey and, really, whatever else is on his mind. Here are five Isles takeaways from his interview with Bob McCown and John Shannon:
He’s been following the Islanders and says after a win against Colorado, the team might “get their swagger back” and be “ready to roll.” He also says that John Tortorella and the Flyers remind him of his first year on the Island.
He moved out of New York to Nashville to be near family - and taxes! “Taxes are a good thing in Nashville,” he says, calling it his “home base.”
At some point, he’ll get involved with a team, whether that be coaching, scouting, or even management.
He talks to Lou Lamoriello about every two weeks and continues to have a great relationship with his former General Manager, who he hopes to be as fit and sharp as when he turns 80.
Called Josh Bailey “sneaky good” in terms of understanding the game, quietly makes unbelievable plays that go unnoticed.
📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, before Saturday night’s 5-4 comeback win versus the Colorado Avalanche, the Islanders had lost 20 straight games and had gone 0-33-1 in the last 34 games that they trailed by at least two goals entering the third period. But wait, there’s more. The Isles had lost 16 straight games when allowing at least three goals in a period.
🗓 THIS DATE IN ISLANDERS HISTORY: On November 1, 1977, Bryan Trottier became the first Islander to score four goals in a game, and Mike Bossy tied an Islander rookie record with five points (1-4-5) as the Islanders pounded the Atlanta Flames 9-0 at the Nassau Coliseum.
The combined shutout was credited to Billy Smith and Goran Hogosta, who made his only appearance for the Islanders. Hogosta made four stops in 8:35 time in the crease. It was the first 9-0 win in club history and matched the club record for the most one-sided victory (which still stands today).
📺 Nassaumen Hockey Podcast: “James and Jon dive into Lou Lamoriello waiving Kieffer Bellows; compare the three-game losing streak to the three-game win streak; break down wins against the Stanley Cup contenders”
🔗 Islanders Prospect Report: Oct. 31, 2022, NewYorkIslanders.com “Matt Maggio continued his strong play for the Windsor Spitfires with five points (3G, 2A) in three games last week. Against the North Bay Battalion on Oct. 27, Maggio recorded a primary assist on the Spitfires' first goal, and scored a buzzer beater with two seconds left in the second period on the power play. Windsor went on to win the game 6-3”
🔗 The suddenly offensive Islanders set for a three-game road trip by Peter Schwartz, WFAN.com “It’s definitely nice,” added forward Casey Cizikas. “We’re trying to be more creative. We’re trying to play faster and create more chances in the offensive zone and guys are doing that. The confidence in our group is good right now. It’s high. We believe in ourselves a lot.”
And we leave you with this…the Islanders were asked to name their favorite Halloween costumes, and the answers ranged from Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers to Colonel Sanders and Ted Lasso.
We don’t have photographic evidence of those. But do have a picture of Denis Potvin posing for a portrait in the role of captain during a New York Islanders Halloween party on October 31, 1983.
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