Stefen Rosner on Morning Cuppa Hockey Talking Islanders BUFFALO -- The New York Islanders [https://thn.com/isles] have essentially done everything in the early going of the 2024-25 season but finish their chances -- the most important part. At 5-on-5, they have outshot their opponents 245-218 and 323-263 at all strengths, per NaturalStatrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20242025&thruseason=20242025&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=std&rate=n&team=NYI&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL]. While quantity is important--the more you shoot, the more likely you are to score- quality matters and the Islanders' shot quality hasn't been close enough to their shot output. Out of those shots, they own an Expected Goals For (xGF) of 22.56 at 5-on-5 and 31.62 at all strengths. They have 13 and 21 goals, respectively, averaging the fewest goals in the NHL, with 2.10, 21 being the fewest in the league. So, let's take a look at some numbers. ISLANDERS AT 5-ON-5 As mentioned, the Islanders have only scored 13 goals on 245 shots (5.31%). They've garnered 228 scoring chances, earning 119 shots from them, with 89 high-danger chances (HDC) leading to 58 high-danger shots. They've scored nine high-danger goals. Islander captain Anders Lee leads the team with 14 individual high-danger chances and two goals on 31 shots. Brock Nelson has 13 HDC, with three goals on 24 shots. Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal round out the top four with one goal on 19 shots, earning 12 HDC, and zero goals on 16 shots, earning 10 HDC. ISLANDERS AT ALL STRENGTHS At all strengths, which includes special teams, the Islanders have scored 21 goals on 323 shots (6.50%). They've recorded 307 scoring chances, with 164 shots from them. Out of the 307 scoring chances, 121 of them have been considered high danger, leading to 82 high-danger shots. The Islanders have 12 high-danger goals from them. Like at 5-on-5, Lee leads the team with 42 total shots and 26 HDC, scoring three goals. Nelson has 36 shots, 14 HDC, with four goals. Defenseman Noah Dobson moves into the top 3 due to power-play chances, with 32 shots and 1 HDC. He has zero goals to show for it. Horvat rounds out the top 4 with 28 shots, 15 high-danger chances, and three goals. FINAL THOUGHTS What head coach Patrick Roy has been asking for is more players crashing the net, citing that sometimes they need to take shots for rebounds, hinting that thier shot selection and accuracy haven't been where they need to be in some situations. He's stayed positive, with many line changes, trying to get his guys to finish chances. The issue is that despite the shots and chances, "luck" has not shown any sign of changing. The Islanders have been shut out four times through 10 games for the first time in franchise history. They've scored just one goal over their last nine periods and are in the cellar of the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders must either start scoring goals or make changes to improve the franchise's short-term and long-term outlook.
