Islanders Clinch 12th Consecutive Playoff Berth
Apr 17, 2024 13:42:39 GMT -5
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Post by NY Islanders GM on Apr 17, 2024 13:42:39 GMT -5
CHICAGO, IL - The end is in sight on the roller coaster season that was for the New York Islanders.
After their run to the Cup Finals last season, the Islanders spent half of this season outside of the playoff picture.
But in sports, especially hockey, anything is possible and one strong run can make the difference in turning a season around or falling flat on your face.
A mid-season 10 game point streak had the desired effect for the Islanders. And coupled with a few timely trades, the Islanders ended up where they have gotten accustomed to - playing more than the requisite 82 games.
After missing the playoffs in four of the first five seasons under General Manager Chris Hessel, the Islanders have now clinched a playoff berth for the 12th consecutive season, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night to do so.
“I’m happy, it’s quite an accomplishment,” Hessel said after the game. “I wish some of the results of those runs have been better, but it’s not lost on us how competitive things are and we are proud of what we’ve been able to build here.”
The disappointment lies in the fact that the Islanders have only been past the 2nd round twice in this timespan (both Stanley Cup Finals losses), a point several fans loved to scream loudly about on social media this season particularly when the Isles were sitting outside of the playoff picture and appeared to be spiraling towards some sort of a rebuild.
But the team held tough, and made some crucial roster decisions on the fly that while costing a little in terms of draft capital, proved to be fruitful and a driving factor in the playoff push.
Neal Pionk contributed instantly, putting up 4-17-21 in 28 games with a +10 rating from the blueline. Scott Mayfield has provided a steady defensive and physical presence paired with him, contributing 8 points and 69 hits in 25 games.
Up front, Vladimir Tarasenko has found a home with 9 goals and 14 points in 14 games since coming to the Islanders at the trade deadline while Chris Tierney has provided his own contributions to the cause with 6 goals and 12 points in 28 games while being featured with heavy PK time which the Islanders were desperate to address for much of the season. Wayne Simmonds has steadied the 4th line group which stopped hemorrhaging goals upon his arrival.
But perhaps the biggest driving factor is that lightning rod between the pipes, David Rittich.
Since falling off dramatically in the Cup Finals against Edmonton, Rittich seemed to be in a months long funk. After a fast start to the season things quickly unraveled and a few early lopsided losses in quick succession for the Islanders set them - and Rittich - off course.
The result was losing his starting role to Antti Raanta for a significant part of the season. However Rittich ended up being a driving force in the playoff push and put the Islanders in the position to comfortably clinch with games remaining on the schedule which was a feat saw by few when the team spent much of the first 45 games or so outside of the picture.
Since the deadline, Rittich has been back on his early 2023 playoff pace: 9 games (starting the last 7 in a row) for a 7-2-0 record, a .926 save %, and a 2.34 GAA.
With a spot secured, the Islanders can focus on consistency for their remaining games. All that’s left to hash out is their potential first round opponent, any of which appears like it will be an uphill battle given their results against the East’s top four this season which has been downright bad (3-9-0 record).
But they have made the dance once again, where anything can happen.
After their run to the Cup Finals last season, the Islanders spent half of this season outside of the playoff picture.
But in sports, especially hockey, anything is possible and one strong run can make the difference in turning a season around or falling flat on your face.
A mid-season 10 game point streak had the desired effect for the Islanders. And coupled with a few timely trades, the Islanders ended up where they have gotten accustomed to - playing more than the requisite 82 games.
After missing the playoffs in four of the first five seasons under General Manager Chris Hessel, the Islanders have now clinched a playoff berth for the 12th consecutive season, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night to do so.
“I’m happy, it’s quite an accomplishment,” Hessel said after the game. “I wish some of the results of those runs have been better, but it’s not lost on us how competitive things are and we are proud of what we’ve been able to build here.”
The disappointment lies in the fact that the Islanders have only been past the 2nd round twice in this timespan (both Stanley Cup Finals losses), a point several fans loved to scream loudly about on social media this season particularly when the Isles were sitting outside of the playoff picture and appeared to be spiraling towards some sort of a rebuild.
But the team held tough, and made some crucial roster decisions on the fly that while costing a little in terms of draft capital, proved to be fruitful and a driving factor in the playoff push.
Neal Pionk contributed instantly, putting up 4-17-21 in 28 games with a +10 rating from the blueline. Scott Mayfield has provided a steady defensive and physical presence paired with him, contributing 8 points and 69 hits in 25 games.
Up front, Vladimir Tarasenko has found a home with 9 goals and 14 points in 14 games since coming to the Islanders at the trade deadline while Chris Tierney has provided his own contributions to the cause with 6 goals and 12 points in 28 games while being featured with heavy PK time which the Islanders were desperate to address for much of the season. Wayne Simmonds has steadied the 4th line group which stopped hemorrhaging goals upon his arrival.
But perhaps the biggest driving factor is that lightning rod between the pipes, David Rittich.
Since falling off dramatically in the Cup Finals against Edmonton, Rittich seemed to be in a months long funk. After a fast start to the season things quickly unraveled and a few early lopsided losses in quick succession for the Islanders set them - and Rittich - off course.
The result was losing his starting role to Antti Raanta for a significant part of the season. However Rittich ended up being a driving force in the playoff push and put the Islanders in the position to comfortably clinch with games remaining on the schedule which was a feat saw by few when the team spent much of the first 45 games or so outside of the picture.
Since the deadline, Rittich has been back on his early 2023 playoff pace: 9 games (starting the last 7 in a row) for a 7-2-0 record, a .926 save %, and a 2.34 GAA.
With a spot secured, the Islanders can focus on consistency for their remaining games. All that’s left to hash out is their potential first round opponent, any of which appears like it will be an uphill battle given their results against the East’s top four this season which has been downright bad (3-9-0 record).
But they have made the dance once again, where anything can happen.