Islanders Stadium Series Loss Shows Retool Is Needed

The collapse in the Stadium Series game on Feb. 18 in a lot of ways summarized how this season has gone for the New York Islanders. The team showed up for two periods of action and played well, building up a 4-1 lead 25 minutes into the game. During the early phases of the game, this was the Islanders team that looked capable of not only making the playoffs but a deep playoff run.

Related: Rangers Can Teach the Islanders How to Build a Team

Then came the collapse. The New York Rangers scored twice to wrap up the second period and added two goals in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime. The inept defense was on full display by the Islanders and the penalties continued to cost them as they allowed three goals when they were shorthanded. They earned a point but it certainly didn’t feel that way when Artemi Panarin scored the overtime-winning goal, giving the Rangers the 6-5 win.

The Islanders have had plenty of tough losses this season and this defeat was far from the worst considering how many leads this team has squandered in the final period of action. This loss however was the most significant. They collapsed to the rival Rangers in front of a national audience and more importantly, left points on the board. The Islanders can’t afford to keep losing games and this defeat has them at 22-18-14 and in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. The trade deadline is a few weeks away and for a team hoping to make a push for the playoffs, the losses are becoming costly.

In the grand scheme of things, the loss, which is their third in a row, was a reminder that the Islanders desperately need to retool their roster. The recent game displayed a few bright spots and how they can contend, but the weaknesses stood out and general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello must address them if the Islanders hope to become a Stanley Cup contender down the road.

The five-goal performance from the Islanders and how they found the back of the net was fitting. How so? Because most of the production came from the star players or the core building blocks on the roster. Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal all found the back of the net while Noah Dobson distributed three assists. Those four skaters lead the Islanders in points and it was no surprise to see them stepping up and carrying the team against the Rangers.

It’s been the story of the season. The Islanders are carried by their star players and…