The Islanders have been one of the best defensive teams early on in 2024-25.
The New York Islanders are averaging 33 shots per game through their opening six outings, the third-highest shot output in the NHL.
Yet, they've scored 13 goals, a league-low, averaging 2.17 goals per game, the third-lowest in the NHL.
They have been shut out in three of their first six games.
Shot quality certainly matters, with the advanced statistics stating that the Islanders are expected to have potted 19, per NaturalStatrick.com.
"It’ll happen," forward Kyle MacLean told The Hockey News on Thursday afternoon. "I think that we're doing a lot of good things. Obviously, I know it's cliche to say since we aren't getting the results, but it's positive that we are getting the shots and getting the chances.
"They will go in, and I think we're confident here, and we trust each other."
Defenseman Noah Dobson echoed MacLean's sentiments.
"We just gotta stick playing the right way, putting pucks on net, and get to the interior," Dobson told THN. "And if we continue to do that, pucks will start to go in. So I think you can be more worried if you're not getting the chances. We're getting the chances. We can still get more, and we just have to capitalize on them."
Despite the lack of offensive production, there is a positive aspect of the Islanders' game that is being severely overlooked, and that's the club's defensive play through six games.
They've allowed 25.3 shots per game, the fewest allowed in the league, while they've given up the fifth-fewest goals per game, 2.50.
"I think that's going to be the thing that lasts throughout the season," MacLean said. "That's going to win us games down the stretch, and the scoring will come. But the defensive play needs to stay consistent throughout the year, and that's probably the biggest thing, which is shutting down other teams’ offenses.”
Analytically, the Islanders have allowed the second-fewest scoring chances in the league, allowing 152, with 57 high-danger chances against, the lowest in the league.
Their worst defensive performance of the season came in the first game, where they allowed four goals and a tremendous amount of grade-A opportunities, blowing two third-period leads in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Hockey Club.
"Early on, we've probably given up too many high-danger chances, but I feel like we've done a better job of that," Dobson said. "We've always said the best defense is having the puck and having possession. We've improved that, and now it's just turning that into when we have teams on the rope or hemmed in their end, making them pay, and continue to be strong defensively and be in the right spots."
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, who early on in his tenure said he didn't want a defensive system, but wanted the fans to be proud of their defensive game, has been pleased with their defensive play this season.
"I like the way we've been playing defensively," Roy said. "I mean, since the start of the year, there's one area that I would like us to improve on, and that's giving fewer chances, especially from behind the net. Like we talked about, making sure that we don't give as many inner chances as I felt we gave.
"But listen, we had a really good game. We gave, what, four or five chances against Detroit last game. Against Montreal, they were more like tracking chances, shots from the top. But Colorado and Dallas are really good teams. So I mean, I felt like we did a good job overall, but I'd like us to be a little tighter down low and make sure that they don't have those inner chances. That's key."
The reality is that if the Islanders don't score goals, they can't win games.
But as MacLean said, defensive consistency, especially if the chances start turning into red lights, is going to be the key to the Islanders' consistent regular season, something this team certainly needs after the last few years of roller coaster rides.
The Islanders look to beat Jake Allen and the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7 PM ET.