Takeaways From the Sabres Loss & Defensive Pairings
Welcome to the THW New York Islanders Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Islanders writers.
Today’s edition has takeaways from the disappointing 3-1 loss to the Sabres, the Isles new defensive pairings & the effect on Dobson & Romanov, and a look back at the career of the “Boss of Long Island”.
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3 Takeaways From Islanders’ 3-1 Loss vs Sabres
October 22, 2023 by Mike Fink
The New York Islanders came crashing back to earth. After losing to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 20 with a 5-4 overtime defeat, they lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 the following night. The Sabres’ loss is their first one in regulation and with the Islanders playing their first road game of the season, off to a rough start outside of UBS Arena.
They were outplayed from the opening puck drop and the Islanders, for the first time this season, looked like a tired, slow, and outmatched team. The loss to the Sabres could be seen as one where they hit a wall and suffered a tough defeat at a tough time but there are a lot of concerns following a game where they were outscored and never had momentum.
Islanders New Defense Pairs Have Unlocked Dobson & Romanov
October 20, 2023 by Mike Fink
The Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock duo has been a staple of the defense for the New York Islanders. The top pair has shut down the best offenses in the league and is an integral part of the team’s success, especially on the defensive end of the ice.
To start this season, head coach Lane Lambert split up Pelech and Pulock, shuffling up the defensive pairings. He moved Noah Dobson alongside Pelech, forming the new “top pair” while Alexander Romanov has played alongside Pulock. The move was a questionable one considering the unit’s past success but it was a worthwhile decision, especially early on in the season, which is the best time to experiment.
The Boss of Long Island: Mike Bossy’s Life Story
July 19, 2023 by Justin Caron
Today we turn back time to appreciate the life and career of New York Islanders’ great, Mike Bossy. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history. Here is a look at the Hall of Fame right winger’s journey to the NHL and his life afterward.