Following a tough 4-3 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets, the New York Islanders are set to embark on a five-game road trip, commencing with tonight’s matchup against the struggling Colorado Avalanche.
This game marks the final one of the month, preceding what has traditionally been a challenging period for Islanders fans in November.
Last year, the team entered November with a middling 4-5-3 record, only to emerge with a dismal 8-15-4 tally.
Presently, the Islanders boast an impressive 6-3-0 record, but a poor road trip could quickly jeopardize their current success.
Last season, the Avalanche had a breakout performance, finishing at the top of the Central Division with 112 points before being eliminated in seven games by the Minnesota Wild.
However, this season has presented challenges, as injuries have taken a toll, resulting in a 2-4-4 record and a last-place position in their division.
With upcoming matches against the Sharks, Ducks, and Kings, securing a win against the Islanders is essential to regain momentum, especially following a recent disappointing loss.
Important Matchups
Tonight’s contest will spotlight two of the top three picks from the 2009 draft, with both teams relying on their franchise cornerstones to deliver in crucial moments.
Currently, one player is tied with Iginla and Barrie for the team lead with seven points, while another leads the team with twelve points despite not performing at his peak. Both players are expected to be significant contributors throughout the game.
The Avalanche’s playoff chances last season were primarily bolstered by goaltender Varlamov, who posted Vezina-quality statistics with a .927 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average over 63 games.
Without his exceptional performance, the Avalanche would likely not have remained in playoff contention. This season, he continues to shine, exemplified by a remarkable 49-save effort despite a loss to the San Jose Sharks two days ago.
Recent struggles have led to Johnson getting the start tonight. With a .892 save percentage and a 3.00 goals-against average, his performance has been underwhelming aside from an outstanding game against the Boston Bruins last week.
Following a subpar outing against Dallas, he now has an opportunity to claim a more important role with a strong performance.
Keys to the Game
Special teams play will be crucial, as the Islanders’ power play has fluctuated between effective and nonexistent.
Improvement has been evident when key players are paired together, creating numerous opportunities with the man advantage, but they will be tested against Colorado’s fourth-best penalty kill unit.
Coaching decisions will also play a pivotal role in the game. For the Islanders to succeed, the coach must refrain from over-relying on the fourth line, which has no justified reason for averaging nearly 15 minutes of ice time per game.
While the team’s talent might compensate against weaker opponents like Carolina, prolonged reliance on the fourth line during a challenging road trip could lead to failure.
Lastly, the performance of the top line will be under scrutiny. Last season, the top line thrived while secondary scoring faltered.
This season has seen the opposite trend, with the secondary scoring flourishing, yet the top line has been almost invisible during even-strength play.
Whether this is a result of a key player’s poor performance or other factors, the line must elevate its game for the Islanders to find success.
Prediction
Following a challenging loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Islanders are predicted to rebound with a gritty win on the road, thanks to a breakout performance from the top line, which should see both Tavares and Okposo achieve multi-point games.
Securing two points tonight will not only boost morale for the remainder of the road trip but also demonstrate the team’s resilience, a quality that was notably absent last season.
