3 New York Islanders Storylines To Watch Against the Philadelphia Flyers

The New York Islanders have struggled mightily to collect points against the better teams around the NHL this season. But their ability to pick up points against the weaker teams is why the Islanders have still given themselves a chance at competing in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Philadelphia Flyers, their opponents for Tuesday’s contest, have dropped 12 consecutive games and sit tied with the Islanders for last place in the Metropolitan Division, point-wise.

The New York Islanders defeated the Flyers last Monday and Tuesday, outscoring their divisional rivals 8-4, but blew a slim lead twice in the backend of the back-to-backs before coming back and taking the game in a nine-round shootout.

But it’s a new day and a new game, and there are a few New York Islanders storylines to watch for Tuesday’s contest.

Where Will Anders Lee Line Up?

Monday’s practice and the press conference that followed gave us plenty of information regarding lines.

While Anders Lee practicing alongside Brock Nelson and Austin Czarnik raised some eyebrows, the absence of Anthony Beauvillier (maintenance day) forced newer combinations to combat the hole.

But the press conference that followed made it clear that the separation of Lee and Barzal was by design.

“I would say for the most part I’ve had Leezy and Barzy stapled together,” Trotz said. “I think there’s times when you keep doing the same thing, it’ll work for a few years, and then it will stop working.”

“Sometimes you just need a refresher.”

With the New York Islanders not rolling lines during Tuesday’s morning skate, there’s no way to tell what Trotz elects to do until warmups.
Lee needs a shooter on his line because of the way he plays. He’s a big net-front presence, down-low kind of player.

In my projected lineup earlier today, I had Lee remaining on the second line as he was at Monday’s skate. Brock Nelson (1.64 shots per game at even strength) is a shooter, which could hold value with Lee and his ability to crash the net.

However, if you read my Monday report following the skate, I threw out the idea that Lee on a line with Oliver Wahlstrom (1.52 shots per game at even strength) could be a dynamic one given not just Wahlstrom’s ability to shoot but how hard he shoots (rebounds).

Mat Barzal leads the Islanders in shots at even strength with 60 (1.94 per game), but despite me not holding up a radar gun, Wahlstrom seems to have a harder shot out of all the players named.

Can Oliver Wahlstrom Make a Statement?

The leash for youngsters, specifically Oliver Wahlstrom, has been relatively short this season. Wahlstrom was a scratch on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs after not playing a shift in the third period against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday. Trotz stated that he was looking for consistency but more attention to the minute details during a game.

“I’m looking for consistency. Looking for consistency in decisions, consistency in effort, and consistency in detail.” Trotz said. “And you know, I think, for the most part, Wally’s efforts been pretty good. It’s probably more my concern with him getting dialed in, in those other two areas.”

Trotz discussed a play that occurred towards the end of the second period on Thursday in which Wahlstrom sent a puck across the front of the Islanders net, which was intercepted in the slot. Thanks to a quick recovery by Wahlstrom, he blocked the ensuing shot, and the Islanders went unscathed.

On Monday, Wahlstrom skated with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zach Parise, two veterans that lead by example on a nightly basis. Trotz will have his eye on Wahlstrom, and Wahlstrom will need to make sure he is smarter Tuesday night.

Because he is already on thin ice, and one mistake could have him glued to the bench and potentially a healthy scratch in the near future.

Trotz is trying to develop Wahlstrom into an NHL pro, and he feels that cutting ice time is the way to wake Wahlstrom up.

Will the Islanders Power Play Find Their Touch?

The New York Islanders power play, which was rather hot, has cooled off mightily as of late. They are 0 for their last 11 opportunities, with 23 shots on goal. They have also allowed a short-handed marker, which was the first goal of the contest in a 3-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday.

“Sometimes you get all the bounces and sometimes you feel like you do everything right you don’t score,” Islanders forward Brock Nelson said following morning skate. ” I feel like powerplay just got to stick with it. Be confident.”

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz gave his take on what has ailed the Islanders power play as of late.

“I think what happens is you have some success on the powerplay, then you try to add something or guys try to overthink it a little bit. And then they’re doing things that are I’ll say a little bit outside the box,” Trotz said. “Teams are looking at us and pre scouting. So there’s slight adjustments in terms of what our tendencies are.”

“I thought we’ve had a couple good power plays where we’ve put the puck in play and we were all around it but we just didn’t find the back of the net, either a good play on their part, on the opposition’s part, or good save here and there or a bouncing puck then we just didn’t get a handle on it.”

The Islanders’ lack of power-play goals may allow them to sneak past the weaker five-on-five teams but again teams like Toronto or Washington, power-play chances could be the make or break to a win or at the very least a point.