Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Life and hockey season come at you fast.
A week ago, the Islanders (and this publication) were selling belief — new management, a fresh message, a teenage phenom on defense, and the familiar comfort of a world-class goaltender behind them.
Less than a week later, that optimism has been flushed down the UBS drain, replaced by frustration, missed chances, and an ugly 0-3-0 start. It’s only the second time in franchise history that’s happened. The team did rebound to make the playoffs in 2006-07, so at least that’s something.
This isn’t panic. This is perspective.
Because while all hope isn’t lost, it’s fair to say it’s misplaced.
The truth is simple, and it’s been simple for years: the Islanders go as Ilya Sorokin goes. When he’s elite, they can survive their scoring droughts, their sloppy turnovers, their uneven special teams. When he’s not, nights get long, and the standings get ugly. Sorokin isn’t the reason the Islanders are winless — not entirely — but he’s the reason why they look several cuts below the competition.
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