Mike and Dan recap a week of close-but-no-cigar games and discuss the season-ending injury to Alexander Romanov (and Igor Shesterkin).
In losses to the Rangers and Lightning, the Islanders showed some good things, but ultimately came away with zero points, which is a problem even this early in the season. At 2-3-0, they once again are starting a campaign in a middling, alternating way, while teams around them have hit the ground running. True, it could always be worse (just look at the Blackhawks,
who the Islanders beat last Thursday), but it’s fair to wonder why it’s never better, and why no one ever demands more from these players who supposedly care so much about winning and each other. The Islanders somehow never have enough to beat the good teams and have to have everything go exactly right in order to come away victorious against even the bad ones.
In the second half, we look ahead towards another week of winnable games. Returning with at least a .500 record is a must but is it too much to ask for three straight wins, against one bad team and two pretty good ones? It is for these guys. We also look at both the human toll and the on-ice effect of the Romanov injury. While the boys in the room will miss their fallen teammate, don’t hold your breath for any reinforcements or replacements. As for Shesterkin, don’t worry; the Rangers will be fine. They always are.
We’ll be recording our Monthly Mail Bag podcast for October, so be sure to get to Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety, sign up for the Country Club tier and get your questions in. The podcast will release on Tuesday exclusively for Country Club tier subscribers.
Our next meetup at Zofia’s Hideout (82nd St, NYC) will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
REFERENCES:
- Isles Day-to-Day: Romanov Out 6-8 Months With Torn ACL
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