Ben Shelley: Islanders lose to Lightning in first road game of season

They better figure out a way to right the ship before this gets lost on them. They played a decent game yesterday. The Lightning, as always, capitalized on every, single, mistake they made. That’s their MO. With that said they looked lost at times. The defense seems jumbled and there were some holes in the individual efforts dept throughout the game. I would like to chalk it up to it being a new coach/new system but to me this looks a little too familiar. If it’s the latter they need to button it up quick if it’s the former at least this is a good upcoming draft

Edit; fire lambert can Lou

They better figure out a way to right the ship before this gets lost on them. They played a decent game yesterday. The Lightning, as always, capitalized on every, single, mistake they made. That’s their MO. With that said they looked lost at times. The defense seems jumbled and there were some holes in the individual efforts dept throughout the game. I would like to chalk it up to it being a new coach/new system but to me this looks a little too familiar. If it’s the latter they need to button it up quick if it’s the former at least this is a good upcoming draft

Edit; fire lambert can Lou
- Cptmjl

I am struggling to find the positives from the game and the season.....

1. Although they lost, the looked motivated and played hard. Benching Bailey was the right move.

2. They are beginning to see back-up goaltenders. If Vasilevskiy played, the score would have been more lopsided.

3. Then there's always..........https://www.tankathon.com/nhl

I am struggling to find the positives from the game and the season.....

1. Although they lost, the looked motivated and played hard. Benching Bailey was the right move.

2. They are beginning to see back-up goaltenders. If Vasilevskiy played, the score would have been more lopsided.

3. Then there's always..........https://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- JohnScammo

This has to be like the mid to late 90's to tank. I cannot see Lee and some of the other veterans accepting a tanking season..

You can change the "VOICE" a thousand times. The Voice does not put the puck in the net.

I will reserve my overall evaluation between the 10 to 15 game mark.

However, in the interim, if the voice is truly changing. Bring a few kids up and sit a few veterans to let everyone know, how you are truly serious. I.E. your paid to score, your not scoring, have a seat, next man up.

I am struggling to find the positives from the game and the season.....

1. Although they lost, the looked motivated and played hard. Benching Bailey was the right move.

2. They are beginning to see back-up goaltenders. If Vasilevskiy played, the score would have been more lopsided.

3. Then there's always..........https://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- JohnScammo

To lose to Tampa again and to the backup goalie is just not a good sign. While it is early, no way you can honestly look at this roster and think the team can compete for a Cup.

You can change the "VOICE" a thousand times. The Voice does not put the puck in the net.

I will reserve my overall evaluation between the 10 to 15 game mark.

However, in the interim, if the voice is truly changing. Bring a few kids up and sit a few veterans to let everyone know, how you are truly serious. I.E. your paid to score, your not scoring, have a seat, next man up.
- Nfdbulldawg

Just have not been enough upgrades in the last two offseasons and vets have become too comfortable. Hopefully this changes under Lane and Bailey's benching is a very good start.

This has to be like the mid to late 90's to tank. I cannot see Lee and some of the other veterans accepting a tanking season..
- Nfdbulldawg

5 games into the season, I wasn't suggesting they tank. That was tongue-in-cheek, just looking for positives.

I am struggling to find the positives from the game and the season.....

1. Although they lost, the looked motivated and played hard. Benching Bailey was the right move.

2. They are beginning to see back-up goaltenders. If Vasilevskiy played, the score would have been more lopsided.

3. Then there's always..........https://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- JohnScammo

I think by game ten we’ll have a better idea where this team stands. It doesn’t look good right now but they have time to get their crap together but we all know how quickly that time runs out. I like that Lambert is sending a message right away. Hopefully he continues to do so with Palmeri riding the pine next. Guy has been terrible. Keep benching vets until you get the desired result. There’s not really much else to do this is our roster sink or swim.

I think by game ten we’ll have a better idea where this team stands. It doesn’t look good right now but they have time to get their crap together but we all know how quickly that time runs out. I like that Lambert is sending a message right away. Hopefully he continues to do so with Palmeri riding the pine next. Guy has been terrible. Keep benching vets until you get the desired result. There’s not really much else to do this is our roster sink or swim.
- Cptmjl

Lane is doing what he can with the roster but like many have stated, it's very odd how quite the last two offseasons have been if the goal is to win the Cup. Hard to do things half way especially when teams around the Islanders continue to try to improve.

Lane is doing what he can with the roster but like many have stated, it's very odd how quite the last two offseasons have been if the goal is to win the Cup. Hard to do things half way especially when teams around the Islanders continue to try to improve.
- ses111

This where i dd understand not improving the team, keeping same players thinking they did got to the finals twice. First you have to make playoff and when alot of the teams are getting better and better younger faster how can the same lineup do it not gonna happen when teams are better around us.

This where i dd understand not improving the team, keeping same players thinking they did got to the finals twice. First you have to make playoff and when alot of the teams are getting better and better younger faster how can the same lineup do it not gonna happen when teams are better around us.
- roadworker

Even back in the day when the Islanders were winning Cups, Bill was trying to make moves. The Islanders lost twice to Tampa in the ECF. You just cannot have these quite offseasons. Even the NY hockey press was shocked with the lack of forward moves.

To be fair I thought the Islanders played well yesterday. Tampa did score on our mistakes but the Islanders goals were results of direct give always from the Bolts. To the point where two were unassisted. I think they need to tighten up defensively. To push the offense is great but solid defense wins. Especially when sOrOkin has a sub par game in net.
One good thing is Bailey will be rested and raring to go tonight

Lane is doing what he can with the roster but like many have stated, it's very odd how quite the last two offseasons have been if the goal is to win the Cup. Hard to do things half way especially when teams around the Islanders continue to try to improve.
- ses111

Fire Lou!

Fire Lou!
- nyisles7

I knew you would come around. Lou better get moving or I might have to have another talk with Ledecky.

5 games into the season, I wasn't suggesting they tank. That was tongue-in-cheek, just looking for positives.
- JohnScammo

Sarcasm? No way
The one thing that stood out to me looking at some league stats is the Islanders sit at 30th on defense. Yes it’s a small sample size of 5 games but that stood out to me.
Typically if the Islanders would score 3 goals they would have a great chance of winning the game.

I knew you would come around. Lou better get moving or I might have to have another talk with Ledecky.
- ses111

You in there somewhere?

Big test tonight. Would love to see Varly have a lights out game and make the starting goalie decisions going forward difficult for Lane. I love Sorokin but I think a little pressure might serve him well. As far as the rest of the team, this isn’t a must win game but it’s pretty close to one imo.

The Islanders have 16 game till Thanksgiving. To hold on to a possible Wild Card they need to have a 10 win 6 loses over the next 16 games, that’s a minimum win loss in the division.
That would give them a 12-9 record, just hanging on.
We all know Thanksgiving is a big milestone.
Last nights stats looked great so what missing? Power play still lacks a closer.



John Tonelli for HOF

Isles get another back-up goaltender tonight. Where's the respect for the Islanders' offense?

Isles get another back-up goaltender tonight. Where's the respect for the Islanders' offense?
- JohnScammo

Fire Lane!

Isles get another back-up goaltender tonight. Where's the respect for the Islanders' offense?
- JohnScammo

It's almost like we are trying to ice the worst lineup possible

You can change the "VOICE" a thousand times. The Voice does not put the puck in the net.

You in there somewhere?
- nyisles7

How dare Ledecky have an event without me?

It's almost like we are trying to ice the worst lineup possible
- Upstate_isles

It does not take much trying.



Andrew Gross
@AGrossNewsday
·
32m
#Isles in warmups
(Beauvillier out)

Parise-Barzal-Bailey
Lee-Nelson-Wahlstrom
Johnston-Pageau-Palmieri
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
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Pelech-Pulock
Aho-Mayfield
Varlamov
Sorokin