Post Mortem: New York Islanders

Via: espn.com

Though the New York Islanders struggled for as long as they could, their 2013 season finally died at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins last night. Before we lay them to rest for another summer, let's take a look at what happened.

It's hard not to feel good about this year's edition of the Islanders. Long considered the doormat of the league, a place where free agents came to play out their final years, and where young prospects withered away, many hockey fans gave the Isles little hope to return to the playoffs. But there's a turnaround happening on Long Island, and it's being led by one man.


In 2009 the Islanders finished dead last in the NHL and were unsurprisingly awarded the first overall pick as a result. They picked a young center from Missasaugua, Ontario named John Tavares, hoping that he would be the franchise player the team has been searching for. He's been all that and more, as Tavares put the team on his back this season, finished with 47 points in 48 games, and earned a Hart trophy nomination as a result. After years of struggling, the Islanders finally have a man to lead them into a new era of success and expectations.

Though all the credit can't go to Tavares, because he had some depth behind him as well. Young players such as Frans Neilsen, Kyle Okposo, Michael Grabner, as well as veterans Matt Moulson, Brad Boyes and Mark Streit, all had a hand in providing scoring for a team that finished 6th in the East with 139 goals. And let's not forget 37 year old goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who finished the season with 23 wins, a 2.50 goals against average and 3 shutouts, while making many outstanding stops and keeping the Isles in close games.

So what went wrong? You certainly can't blame the offense. Led by Tavares, the team put up 17 goals in the six game series against the Pens. However the defense was atrocious, averaging 4.17 goals against per game, and much of the blame must fall on the shoulders of Nabokov. For all his heroics int he regular season, Nabokov was helpless against a potent Pittsburgh attack. He finished the series with a dismal 4.44 goals against average and .842 save percentage, his worst playoff numbers ever.

Many wonder now what comes next for the team from Long Island. Sure, the playoffs were a nice bonus for a team that worked hard all season and got results, but now it's also a team that must bear the weight of expectations that post-season apperance has put upon them. Tavares is a superstar, and there is enough youth, speed, and skill up front to keep the Islanders competitive for the foreseeable future. But what about the backend? Streit is 35 years old, Visnovsky is 36 and the youth movement that happened in the forward corps has yet to take place among the defense. GM Garth Snow has made some amazing moves to this franchise lately, but must do something on the blueline for the team to compete for a Stanley Cup.

And then there's Nabokov. Hero one night, goat the next. Though there has been no talk of retirement from him yet, he's an unrestricted free agent after the season and his future is in doubt. After his performance this season, it's clear the Islanders need to get a solid starting netminder if they don't want to have a repeat of this year's elimination. I wonder if Snow has Mike Gillis' phone number?