New York Islanders: What lies ahead for the Islanders in February?
February is the shortest month on the calendar. But for the New York Islanders, it is the busiest and most integral.
February is known for being the shortest month but also one of the busiest with all of the holidays that fall during this time. The same goes for the New York Islanders. In February, they play a jam-packed 12 games. The games fall in about a 23 day span.
Aside from the physical games the team plays, the NHL trade-deadline falls on the 26th of the month.
So, the short month is busy and integral for the Isles.
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The Isles ended January in abysmal fashion. A strong win in Vegas before the All-Star game, where they were well represented, the Isles dropped two in a row.
The Islanders lost a home-away, back-to-back to the Panthers and Leafs getting out-scored 9-1 in those games.
January goes down as a shameful month for the Isles ending bitterly.
February is the biggest stretch of games they potentially face all year.
On the outside looking in of the East playoff race, the Isles start their February slate at home vs the Blue Jackets on the 3rd.
The game in Barclays vs the Jackets starts a stretch of home games for the Isles. Of their first 10 games of the month, seven are at home in Brooklyn.
Although the tide has turned as of late with the Isles seemingly playing better away from Barclays then at it, it is still a massive advantage to have four straight and 7/10 at home.
The Isles square up against just one unfamiliar face during the month. They play hosts to the Flames on the 11th.
Calgary is one of their very few Western Conference opponents during the month.
Other than that game, the Isles have seen every other February opponent already this NHL season.
Another key-note for the Isles is they have zero games out west. Their only game not starting for the 7 PM Eastern hour is a 1:00 game vs the Wild on Feb. 19th.
The schedule heavily favors the New York Islanders. A plethora of home games and very little travel. They have essentially already seen all these exact same teams.
If the Isles cannot capitalize on this they will know what they should do by the 3:00 PM deadline on the 26th, clean house.
The Isles currently sit on the outside of the playoff race. Much to the fans’ chagrin, they have played more games than most of the conference already.
Next: Analyzing the Isles season at the halfway point
Current GM Garth Snow does not strike me as one who is going to make moves at the deadline. But, if the Isles can make a run and win their home games throughout the month, the deadline might be busy.
If the Islanders manage to claw their way back into a top 8, they should use the deadline to get defense. Improving the bottom six is ideal too.
February is a short month, but if the Isles do end up in the playoffs, this is a month we can look back at as the one that really helped get them there.