New York Islanders: How loss in Buffalo exposes massive problems

The New York Islanders came back from a 3-0 deficit Thursday night only to fall to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3.

The New York Islanders 4-3 loss to the Sabres is just one game of many. Hockey seasons are long. They are draining. Often, games like the one Thursday are just one of many. But for the Islanders, they might be in trouble.

In a recent piece I wrote, I mentioned how if the Isles got inevitable production from their top line and decent production from everyone else, they would obviously win.

I also noted that if they get the number of shots on goal by their opponents down, it fixes their biggest flaw.

With all those things happening in Buffalo, and still resulting in a loss, there are deep-rooted issues with this team.

The Islanders, to be fair, were on the road playing a struggling team desperate to win. But, that does not make the lack of effort and lapses in judgment okay.

One of the issues with this team is chemistry. I know it is crazy to say that because of how solid some of the guys on the top lines are together, but it’s true in this instance:

Jaroslav Halak only saved 82% of the 22 shots he faced.

The New York Islanders finally don’t give up a ton of shots in a favored matchup and Halak couldn’t make enough saves to take advantage of that.

When the defense gives up 50 shots, Jaro can keep them in the game, but when they only give up 22, he practically costs them the game.

Why can’t the defense and goalie be good in the same game? It’s happened few and far between this year and both are still usually bad.

There is no constant sense of urgency from both sides like there should be.

I also just do not think this roster is deep enough, injury-ridden or not. To come out and give up three straight goals then come back to tie it only to blow it again exposes the lack of skill all around.

The Isles have such electric goal scorers and then what? They just revert back to poor execution and not playing well for a full 60 minutes.

Isles are terrible at coming from behind. When giving up the first goal they usually lose. They play better when they are ahead. But even that has gone away recently.

This team is not good enough to come back and win hockey games. The roster isn’t deep enough to play every minute aggressively to come back. A full 60 minutes of hockey and full-blown effort is asking for too much.

They tie a game in which they were trailing by three, yet still lose? There are zero excuses for even being behind by that many or even having great momentum shattered. It is hard to justify that, no matter how you look at it.

Perhaps the Isles issue is not the number of shots they give up on goal. Perhaps it is not overall inconsistent offense.

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This team showed their true colors. They do not have a full roster or identity to win games they should. They do not have the heart to finish comebacks and win.

The Isles’ loss to Buffalo is one of what has now been many. The playoffs are not out of the realm of possibility. Not because they are good but because they still have time to turn it around.

Whatever the reason is, this is just not a team that stands any chance of doing something significant beyond the regular season anytime soon.

They constantly fail to earn what seems like for sure points.

Big changes need to be made to turn this thing around.

One loss does not define a season but one loss can very much expose a potentially deep problem.

Next: New York Islanders need to figure out what they are doing

Slowly, I’ve begun to expect the Isles to be bad on a given night. A week ago, it looked as if I was not sure to expect that yet.

The New York Islanders are in trouble. We know what we have in them right now and it is not pretty.

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