The New York Islanders are struggling this season with a middling record of 9-10-7, mainly due to their inability to close out games in overtime and shootouts. They have collected the most loser points in the NHL since the start of the 2022-23 season, with 32 so far. Despite playing with tenacity and keeping games close, they have been unable to prioritize and excel in three-on-three and shootout situations.
One of the factors contributing to their struggles is injuries to key players like Mat Barzal, Adam Pelech, and Anthony Duclair. This has put additional pressure on players like Bo Horvat, who is currently in a scoring slump. Coach Patrick Roy has emphasized the need for players like Noah Dobson to step up in critical moments, but there have been lapses in their play.
The Islanders’ historic success in shootouts has also faltered in recent years, with a 4-11 record over the past two-plus seasons. This has raised questions about their strategy and player recruitment, especially in terms of finding specialists who excel in shootouts.
As the Islanders continue to struggle in key moments and deal with injuries, the pressure is mounting for them to turn their season around and secure a playoff spot in a competitive Eastern Conference. With a strong core of players and a history of grinding out points, the Islanders will need to focus on closing out games and improving their performance in critical situations to achieve success this season.
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