As one of the most popularly-cited regression candidates entering the season, the Islanders’ start of 12-wins-in-16-games and 9-0-1 record in their last ten look all the more impressive. They’ve carried on in a similar vein to last season: on the back of Barry Trotz’s structure and elevated PDO, with particularly strong two-deep goaltending.
Similar to last year, the Islanders look like a lower-end team in possession and scoring chance share, but, to a degree, that’s by design. They certainly sag and protect the slot in their own zone, with the idea of trading off less zone time against for fewer opportunities against closer to the net.