Following a 39-27-16 document final season, the New York Islanders squeezed into the playoffs because the Metropolitan Division’s third seed earlier than falling in Spherical 1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. The season was an total disappointment, regardless of the staff surpassing expectations by reaching the playoffs.
Associated: New York Islanders 2024-25 Stat Predictions
With the 2024-25 season upon us, a brand new alternative for the Islanders lies forward. The staff might not have a lot monetary flexibility. Nonetheless, they introduced in Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov by free company, re-signed Mike Reilly, and let veterans Cal Clutterbuck, Robert Bortuzzo, and Sebastian Aho depart. With a full coaching camp and preseason underneath head coach Patrick Roy, the fanbase expects to construct on final season. Given the staff’s near-100-point tempo underneath Roy, it’s comprehensible why expectations are excessive, however ought to they be?
250-260 Objectives
Final season, the Islanders scored 245 targets, the twenty second most within the NHL. This was a disappointing quantity, particularly with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau combining for simply 31. With the additions of Tsyplakov and Duclair, this purpose complete is sure to rise, however by how a lot?
If Duclair and Tsyplakov mesh effectively with the present core, a 15-20 purpose enhance is just not out of the query. With Lee and Pageau seeking to bounce again, this ahead core may produce north of 270 targets. Nevertheless, that could be a lot that has to go their means, and this assumes everybody stays wholesome for all 82 video games, that means the final word complete is prone to land simply above final season’s 245-goal end.
230-240 Objectives In opposition to
Final season the Islanders gave up 258 targets, the fifteenth most within the NHL. Nevertheless, they solely gave up 158 targets at even energy, the tenth fewest within the league. With Roy’s protection now carried out and defenseman Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield wholesome, this complete is sure to lower, probably into the 220s. Though it’s doable for the staff to surrender fewer targets, they’re extra prone to find yourself within the 230-240 vary, which might nonetheless be across the seventy fifth percentile, particularly contemplating the well being considerations surrounding their protection and goaltending.
File Prediction – 42-31-9 (93 Factors)
The Islanders are prone to end with round 39-45 wins and eight to 12 extra time losses. A number of of the blown leads that led to the 16 extra time losses ought to convert to wins, however the competitors within the Japanese Convention has elevated with the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Pink Wings, and Washington Capitals all making vital enhancements this offseason. Whereas the Islanders are nonetheless among the many higher groups within the convention, they’re in line for a lot of extra one-goal video games.
At this level, the most definitely final result is for the Islanders to complete with 88-95 factors within the standings. The Metropolitan Division is just not the strongest, so there needs to be some simple factors to select up all through the season in opposition to groups just like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers. The Atlantic Division is far stronger, which needs to be a very good factor because the Islanders might be contending for Wild Card spots with the Senators, Pink Wings, and Buffalo Sabres. If these groups can tire themselves out through the common season, the Islanders could have a neater time profitable these cross-division matchups.
At this level, the Islanders are extra possible than to not make the playoffs. Relating to placement, the staff is just not going to complete within the high two within the Metropolitan Division, however the third spot is up for grabs. If not, each Wild Card positions are in play, relying on the outcomes of the Atlantic Division. At present, I’ve the Islanders ending within the second Wild Card spot and matching up with the Japanese Convention Champion New York Rangers.
Notable Key Matchups
The Islanders will face off in opposition to the Rangers 4 instances this season (Nov. 3, Feb. 25, Mar. 3, and Apr. 10). This rivalry at all times produces tight matchups, and whereas the Rangers are the higher staff on paper, I guess the Islanders go 2-1-1 in these 4 video games.
Of their 26 divisional video games this season, I really feel fairly assured the Islanders can salvage a optimistic document, going 12-9-5. Profitable video games within the Atlantic Division might be tough, so taking half of those matchups could be successful. Whereas the Western Convention has weak groups just like the Anaheim Geese, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks, the Islanders traditionally battle on the California highway journey, so none of those video games needs to be taken flippantly. Just like the Atlantic Division, profitable greater than half of their matchups in opposition to Western Convention groups could be successful.
The Islanders received their first sport of the common season in 2023-24, marking simply the third time they’d accomplished so since their season opener within the 2014-15 season in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. Matching up in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership at UBS Area to open the season, the Islanders have an opportunity to set the tone for a season wherein the franchise desperately must succeed.
