New York Islanders 2018-19 Final Recap

Well, Unfortunately it's that time, The time to close up shop (So to speak) and call it a season. 

This isn't going to be long winded or Heartfelt, it's simply a Breif recap is all.

So lets Begin!

This is only going to cover, Offense, Defense and Goaltending with Power Play and Penalty Kill included.


OFFENSE:

With the Loss of long time Captain, John Tavares in the Offseason, the offense was predicted to be much less effective as it was last season and the prediction was correct. The Isles Offense was nowhere near as effective as it was last season. However, it was effective enough to give the Isles chances in games. 

With The additions of Valtteri Filppula, Leo Komarov and a Reunion of the E = MC2 (Martin, Cizikas, Clutterbuck) line, it gave the isles more hope in games! To add to this, the defense would be taking a lot of shots as well! To their credit, The isles offense was something to look out for. Was it as lethal as it was last year? No, but it did make you think twice about taking the Isles offense lightly.

DEFENSE:

If you were to tell me or anyone else at the beginning of the Season that the most impressive part of the Isles would be the Defense, You'd probably get a bunch of "Yeah, Right!" and/or some laughs in the face. No significant additions in the form of Free Agent Signings or trades were added to the Isles offense. The only "Upgrade" was the PTO signing and eventual NHL Contract Signing of Luca Sbisa who proved to be nothing more than a depth piece and barely played. Other than that, a Significant addition later in the Season was young Devon Toews who proved to be a legitimate piece of the isles defense! With Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, Devon Toews and Thomas Hickey, The isles defense was lightyears better compared to the defense last season! 

GOALTENDING:

This Season, The Isles goaltending was expected to improve, but not by much. It was expected to be decent at best. However, As the Picture above clearly shows, The Isles goaltending was absolutely sensational! Exceeding all expectations! It was so Impressive, that Both Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss were Co-Winners of the Jennings Trophy! They lead the League in Goals Against with 191 Goals against and 2.33 Goals against per game compared to the 3.57 Goals Against per game and 293 Goals against last year!

POWER PLAY:

What was a big part of the Offense last year, was a horrible struggle this year. The Isles power play was made up of mostly, if not only passes waiting for the perfect shot! Many can make the argument that the Anemic Power play cost the Isles The Division Title and possibly the Series against the Hurricanes in Round 2, but this is something that must be addressed in the offseason.

PENALTY KILL:

Something that was atrocious last season, was a Godsend this season! Though it had it's struggles, down the stretch the PK Sparkled especially in the Playoffs! The Penalty kill was key for the Isles and with the Help of Valtteri Filppula and Leo Koamrov, it improved Dramatically!

Overall & Conclusion:

Overall, The Isles exceeded Virtually everyone's expectations! Most, if not all experts, writers, had the Isles in the bottom of the Metro Divsion from 6th-8th place with maybe 75-80 Points. The Isles had a astronomical 103 Points, finished in 2nd place in the Metro Division, Swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the First round of the Playoffs but unfortunately fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4 game sweep. No one, and I mean no one could've predicted that the Isles would be this good this season! 

Under Barry Trotz, This team went the distance, bought into Trotz's system and believed in each other and you can make the argument that the Islanders took the League by storm! Everyone was in shock and awe that the Isles went as far as they did! 

General Manager Lou Lamoriello has his work cut out for him this offseason. Re-signing Captain Anders Lee, Vezina Trophy Finalist Robin Lehner, Improving the Offense and Power Play in the form of either Signing a Free agent/Trading for a Shooter are a must for him this Offseason!

A Terrific season for the New York Islanders nonetheless!

Until the Next Article my Friends,

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!