The combination of an inconsistent defense and a much-improved offense - buoyed by a terrific power play - has turned the Islanders into a clear “Over team” in 2023-24. The Islanders have conceded the sixth-most high-danger scoring chances and seventh-most expected goals at five-on-five, but their exemplary goaltending and offensive improvement have helped to provide cover for a leaky defense. The Isles’ issues closing out games has been well documented, but it’s their overall defensive play that is the team’s biggest concern.

The Islanders’ defense has struggled lately. They have been without three top-six defensemen for a handful of games, and while they’ve played admirably with new faces Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo in the lineup, the Islanders will need to improve their process ahead of a pivotal stretch of schedule that will see them face the Capitals and Penguins twice and the Hurricanes once to close out 2023. But the case can be made that the Isles look like a team about to hit some turbulence. 12, the Oilers have come back down to earth a bit with back-to-back losses before they head out on a six-game road trip with three games in the New York City metropolitan area followed by the Christmas break and then three contests in California.Īfter getting points in 14 of 15 games, the Islanders lost in Montreal on Saturday night in a tough schedule spot.

After winning seven on the spin from Nov.

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