New York Islanders First Half Report Cards

Exactly 41 games in, the New York Islanders have had quite an eventful 2023-24 season. From the team’s seven-game losing streak back in November to their 13-6-5 record since, their 48 points in 41 currently lands them third in the Metropolitan Division. However, the team has a few players to credit its success to more than others.

Forwards

Mathew Barzal, A+

Mathew Barzal is once again producing how Islanders’ fans expect him to. His 12 goals and 45 points in 40 games have set him on pace for career highs in both categories, and he is a key reason why the power play is no longer bottom of the league. His longtime chemistry with Anders Lee is as present as ever, and Bo Horvat’s first full season with the team has led the trio to become one of the most formidable lines in the league. Out of all qualified lines who have played over 250 even-strength minutes together this season, the Lee, Horvat and Barzal line sits sixth in expected goals share (xG%) with 58.4 percent, according to Money Puck.

Bo Horvat, A

Bo Horvat was traded for a haul last season and has done nothing but live up to the price in 2023-24. His 17 goals and 40 points in 40 games have him on pace to finish the season at a point-per-game for the first time in his career. Additionally, he is currently on pace to finish with 34 goals, which would be his second-highest total, four short of his 38 goals last season. Seven of his 17 goals this season have come on the power play, which was a massive struggle for the Islanders last season.

Horvat’s presence in the slot and around the net on the power play has added another threat to the Islanders’ top unit, opening up the ice for the likes of Barzal and Noah Dobson to skate more freely with the puck, leading to more chances close to the net which has led to an increase in production.

Anders Lee, B-

Anders Lee’s first half of the season was a tail of two halves. In his first 21 games, he scored just four goals and two assists. Since then, he has seven goals and four assists. Whether you attribute his poor start to not having chemistry or his skating being unable to keep up, it is obvious that he was bad to start the season. However, his analytics still show that he has been producing many scoring opportunities and is bound to have a great second half.

Despite only having 11 goals so far, he currently sits at 18.9 expected goals (xG). His -7.9 goals…