New York Islanders need to figure out what they are doing

The New York Islanders are a tough team to figure out and there are definitely some things that need to be more consistent.

The New York Islanders currently sit 26-22-6 after Monday’s home OT loss to the Predators. It was not the worst game the Isles played. They even managed to crawl back into the playoff picture.

Each night there are similar habits but wildly different results.

They still need to figure out what they are doing. I have noticed too many outliers lately and would like to share.

The Islanders are obviously in trouble on defense. The lack of talent and depth is painful and costly. The execution is flat-out odd. Isles might even be without one more defenseman in Scott Mayfield if his injury is serious.

The Isles give up too many shots on goal. Their goalies are typically making well over 30 saves each night. The numbers get as high as 40 and even 50 saves.

The Isles need to figure this out. It was easy to blame the goalies earlier in the year. But it is getting harder and harder. When Jaroslav Halak makes 42 saves it’s almost impressive.

The Islanders need to get this number down. The goalie should never have to make over 40 saves and still not get the full two points.

In their most recent outing against the Predators, they did not even give up that many shots in the last period. Yet, they still blew a lead and lost.

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Doug Weight needs to figure out how to prevent this. Fewer shots are obviously better. The timing of the shots is essential too.

Also, the Isles need to continue to get consistent production from other guys, not just out of the first line or Mat Barzal.

The last few games, they have and it works. All year the bottom six for the Isles were an issue and it still sort of is.

The Isles hit a cold stretch with low scoring games right before that.

But keeping Anthony Beauvillier, Nick Leddy, and other guys scoring goals is going to keep them in a playoff spot.

The top guys are going to produce but digging deeper and having these “unsung heroes” step up like they have recently is important in getting and running deep into the playoffs.

Doug Weight has done well shuffling the lines to change things up.

However, we know what we are going to get each night from the great teams in this league.

We do not know what we will get out of the Islanders any given night.

The Islanders are not out of it and keep treading water to stay alive.

But, when push comes to shove, the New York Islanders need to find their identity and brand of hockey.

They are still figuring all that out.

Next: What lies ahead for the Islanders in February?

Whether it’s a lack of resources, execution, or effort, this team somehow does not have a concrete identity.

There are too many inconsistencies in the overall results.

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