November 2015
Another solid month of hockey from the Islanders as they went 8-4-1, scoring 36 goals and allowing 28 goals. Breaking that down some more, the Islanders averaged 2.8 goals per game - the same goal scoring average that they had in October. Defensively, the Islanders allowed 2.15 goals per game during the month - up from a 1.92 gaa in October.
The team’s penalty killing dipped this month, hence the bump in goals allowed. The team currently kills 84% of its penalties, good for 20th in the league. The power play is converting on 14.7% of its chances, that places them 17th in the league. Tactical changes will be made to both of the special team units. The Penguins are currently clipping along at a 25.7% success rate (wow!) and the New Jersey Devils lead the league in penalty killing with a 90.5% mark (another wow!).
Patric Hornqvist has been moved to the right side on the second line, and Ryan Strome will slide into the RW1 slot. Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey both struggled to find the net in the last month, hopefully Hornqvist will be able to help get them going. Nelson is averaging a game rating of 71, Bailey’s game rating is 64. Long-term, perhaps its time to find an upgrade for Bailey. Injuries allowed Kirill Petrov to play a half dozen games with Tavares and Hornqvist - but he only managed a single assist. Petrov’s game rating of 54 suggests that he may be in over his head...
And finally - Matt Martin has signed a 3 year extension. He’ll earn a little over $1.7M per season.
From around the league;
Martin Jones (knee), Jake Gardiner (knee) and Ryan Getzlaf all suffered serious injuries, and all three players will miss at least 9 months. If that wasn’t bad enough, San Jose traded the injured Martin Jones to the Calgary Flames for Andrej Meszaros. Classy move Doug Wilson.
The Washington Capitals are off to a terrific start. Check out their (GF//GA) goal differential.
Islanders team scoring report - after 25 games:
