The Islanders and Rangers Preview: Opposite Uncertainties

With the NHL season starting up, it’s time to take a deep dive into the season prospects for the New York Rangers and Islanders. This year, the NHL season is only 56 games long, fewer than the usual 82, with all games being played in makeshift divisions that limit travel. The East Division, which includes both the Islanders and Rangers, is one of the strongest of these divisions.

The New York Islanders

Last season, the Islanders made their first Eastern Conference Finals since 1993 and lost six games to the eventual champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. With leadership from second-year General Manager Lou Lamoriello and Head Coach Barry Trotz, the team is no doubt headed in the right direction.

However, some personnel holes have persisted throughout the offseason. Defensively, the Islanders are strong and allowed less than 2.7 goals per game last year, the best statistic in the league. Their only loss from their starting defense last year was Devon Toews, who was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for two second round picks. Noah Dobson, a 19-year-old phenom, is expected to take his place in the starting lineup. Trotz has made a name for himself with strong defensive coaching and structure. He places emphasis on defenders being very cautious with their pinches (moving up into the offensive zone) in order to avoid odd-man rushes, a strategy that allows fewer scoring chances for the opposing team. In order for the Islanders to be successful, the defense will need to be the backbone.

In last year’s playoffs, the Islanders’ goaltending got hot. Semyon Varlamov and Thomas Greiss formed a two-headed beast, with both exceeding their Goals Against Average throughout their playoff starts, a huge reason for the Islanders’ success. Varlamov is expected to start going into this season as well, but Greiss, who played more than any other backup goaltender in the playoffs, has been left in free agency to become the starter for the Detroit Red Wings. With Varlamov getting older, the Islanders are hoping to usher Ilya Sorokin into the starting role. Sorokin is a young goalie who is making the move to the NHL after many years spent playing professionally in the KHL (in his native Russia). Sorokin will be thrown into the fire, and although he possesses elite skills, the lack of strong, experienced goaltending is a cause for concern.

In addition to the goaltending concerns, the Islanders’ forwards have many holes. However, their fourth line, a more physical unit, has been coined as “the best fourth line in hockey” by former four-time Stanley Cup winner and Islander announcer Butch Goring. Matt Martin, one of the leaders of the fourth line, has led the NHL in hits five times. The Islanders’ star forward Matt Barzal signed a three-year contract extension in the offseason. The former Calder Memorial Trophy winner (Rookie of the Year) is looking to make the jump from a playmaker to a goal scorer. The Islanders have struggled to pair Barzal with strong linemates, however. Anders Lee, the captain, is a quality goal scorer in front of the net, but his game is extremely limited. Jordan Eberle, his other linemate, goes through epic goalscoring streaks but also lengthy droughts. This first line is average at best. The second line, centered by Brock Nelson, is also inconsistent. The third line is filled with journeymen wingers who have failed to make a big impact on the team. The line reached an all-time low last season when it played less than seven minutes in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. The line’s lack of ice time highlights how little faith the team and the coach have in them.

Although the Islanders are well-coached, their personnel has some holes which will be a hurdle to overcome. It will be a big ask of Trotz and his staff to make another deep playoff run with this roster, but if he can get his boys to find their stride at just the right time, they have the capability of going deep into the postseason.

The New York Rangers

When the Rangers were swept out of the qualifying round of the playoffs (a special round made last year to expand the playoffs due to the season being cut short), their fan base was no doubt angry. However, this loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the team landed the first pick in the NHL draft. Before the Rangers lost, the NHL Draft Lottery took place. The winner of the lottery was labeled a “team in the qualifying round” and was not specified because the round had not concluded yet. After winning a second lottery that included all the losers of the qualifying round, the Rangers were able to secure the first pick and the rights to the consensus top player in the draft, Alexis Lafrenière.

The Rangers’ forward group as a whole is talented. Artemi Panarin has ascended to become one of the best players in hockey after posting 32 goals and 63 assists in last year’s shortened season. He plays winger alongside former Islander top selection Ryan Strome and Chris Kreider. Kreider is a solid all-around forward, whose physicality and skill make him worthy of a place on the line with Panarin. Strome, on the other hand, has the skills to contribute, but his production has been lacking. Lafrenière will be thrown into the fire playing alongside Mika Zibanejad, arguably a top five center in the league. It is unrealistic to expect Lafrenière to contribute right away with no preseason, but his potential with his wrist shot and skating ability is an intriguing storyline for the Rangers. The offensive firepower is no doubt present for the Rangers, but the forwards’ contribution to the defense is what will allow the team to take the next step forward.

Defensively, the Rangers will be the first team ever to start six American-born defensemen. Hopefully, this new group of starters will allow the defense to become a strength instead of a liability. Last year, the team allowed more than three goals per game from the opposing team, but they have the tools to clean up their defensive game with Adam Fox leading the way. However, the D-pair of Brendan Smith and Anthony Bitetto ranks as one of the worst in the game. Some of their defensive struggles last season were a result of their aggressive offensive style with defenders jumping into offensive plays in order to generate scoring chances. However, when the Rangers were unable to capitalize on these chances, their defense was left vulnerable and out of position.

Luckily, the Rangers have a bright future with starting goalie Igor Shesterkin. This season will be the first since 2003 that Hall of Famer and all-time Ranger Henrik Lundqvist will not start the year in the net, and while replacing that kind of consistency will be tough, Shesterkin has the tools to become a quality successor to Lundqvist. Shesterkin only allowed 2.5 goals per game in his limited action last season, and if he can keep up that performance, the Rangers should be primed for a successful future in the league.

Opposite to the Islanders, the Rangers have the talent to score many goals. The question will be whether their young team can stay disciplined enough in the defensive zone to make the playoffs.