Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The New York Islanders have been pretty consistent on offense in the past few years, but not in a good way.
Last season, the Islanders were ranked 22nd overall at an average of 2.99 goals-for per game. The season before that, they were also in the 22nd spot, averaging 2.95 goals-for per game. And yes, in 2021-22, they finished 22nd at 2.79 goals per game. It was a slight drop from 2020-21, when they were ranked 21st (2.71), but they were also 22nd in 2019-20 (2.78) and 2018-19 (2.72).
So it wasn’t a surprise that they came out of the gate in the 26th spot this season, averaging just 2.60 goals-for per game. This is a team built around defense and goaltending rather than filling the opponent’s net with pucks. Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello did little to address his team’s offense externally, adding only veteran left winger Anthony Duclair as his top off-season acquisition.
While Duclair delivered as advertised in five games this season – posting two goals and three points in five games – the Islanders now have to move on for a considerable span without him. The 29-year-old suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s game against Montreal, and Lamoriello said it will be more long-term but not season-ending.
Duclair – who carries a $3.5-million cap hit in the first season of a four-year contract – leaves a hole in the lineup, and his absence will be a challenge for the Islanders to overcome on offense.
As per PuckPedia, the Islanders have just $946,680 in salary cap space, so there’s no cavalry coming to their aid from outside the dressing room unless the Isles move out salary from elsewhere to make a move happen. That’s probably not going to happen in this case, either. They practised Monday with Simon Holmstrom in Duclair’s spot alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal.
Duclair was never going to be in contention for this year’s Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s best point-producer, but he is a solid contributor whose absence underscores the Islanders’ distinct lack of scoring depth.
The Isles don’t have anyone putting up at least one point per game. Their top scorer is defenseman Noah Dobson, who has four assists in five games. Their forwards have scored all 13 of the Islanders’ goals in their first five games, but that hasn’t been enough to win consistently, and that was before losing Duclair.
The Islanders have a 2-1-2 record so far, so they did get at least a point in four games. But without Duclair, they will be up against it even more on offense in what could be another tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Four of the next six teams they face – Detroit, Florida, Columbus and Buffalo – are currently in the bottom half of the NHL for the fewest goals against per game. They must take advantage of those games like they did in their 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche and 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens to avoid having to chase in the standings for most of the season.
Duclair isn’t likely to be out for the season, but barring some breakthrough, the Islanders will have no choice but to try once again to out-defend their opponents to win games.
Related: NHL Goalie Market Reset: Oettinger, Swayman And Sorokin Deals Hint At A Big Jump
That has worked for them before in the playoff hunt, and the Islanders are a top-10 team on defense, averaging 2.80 goals against per game. But that will be put to the test even more now without Duclair, and they were already shut out twice this season, regardless of how good their defense was. The answer on offense must either come from one or more of their current players, or it won’t come at all.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.
Related: Opinion: Engvall And Holl Clearing Waivers Shows Why The ‘Toronto Effect’ Can Distort Value
