Islanders Make Coaching Change Amidst Struggles
In a significant move to shake up their team dynamics, the New York Islanders have parted ways with coach Lane Lambert. With the team grappling to secure a playoff spot and currently on a discouraging four-game losing streak, the Islanders' management has decided to bring in a new voice to the locker room, appointing Patrick Roy as the head coach.
The Islanders find themselves in a precarious position, trailing two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Their recent form has been lackluster, with only two victories in their last ten outings. Lambert, who served the team for less than two seasons, was unable to steer the Islanders clear of this slump, leading to his dismissal.
Roy's return to NHL coaching marks his first tenure since the 2015-16 season. Known for his illustrious career as a goaltender and his previous coaching stint with the Colorado Avalanche, where he secured the Jack Adams Award, Roy is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Islanders. Following his time with the Avalanche, Roy took on the role of coach with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, leading them to four playoff appearances in five seasons, including a sixth QMJHL title and a third Memorial Cup victory.
Roy's Coaching Pedigree
Roy's experience and past successes are seen as valuable assets that could invigorate the Islanders. His debut as the head coach is anticipated to be against the Dallas Stars at UBS Arena, where he will face the immediate challenge of addressing the team's defensive vulnerabilities. The Islanders currently concede the second-most shot attempts per 60 minutes in the league, along with allowing the third-most scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes.
Lambert, who previously served as an associate coach for four seasons before being promoted to head coach, had led the Islanders to the playoffs. However, their campaign was short-lived as they were ousted in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes. Under Lambert's recent leadership, the team experienced a troubling trend of conceding over four goals per game, which included a seven-game losing streak back in November and a dismal start to the new year, losing eight of the following ten games after a New Year’s Eve defeat.
The decision to replace Lambert came into sharp focus following a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, casting doubts about his future with the organization. It became evident that a change was necessary to address "the inconsistency that has been going on for some period of time," as noted by the Islanders' management.
A New Direction
Speaking on the appointment of Roy, the Islanders' management expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "When I had the opportunity to meet with Patrick recently, I felt that this was the best for our organization to go forward." They highlighted Roy's "extremely aggressive" presence and concluded that he was the right person for the job.
Roy himself has articulated his ambition to instill greater consistency in the Islanders' play. Addressing the media, Roy mentioned, "One of my objectives will be to bring some consistency to their play." He also sought to downplay any potential distractions, emphasizing the need to focus on playing hockey and putting the responsibility on the players, saying, "It’s just on us as players."
The Islanders' squad seems ready to embrace Roy's leadership, acknowledging the necessity for change and the role they play in turning their fortunes around. As one player put it, "We want to come out and start playing hockey. At the end of the day, it’s on us."
With the regular season approaching its climax, all eyes will be on how Roy manages to rally the Islanders and whether his approach can yield the much-needed results to propel the team into a playoff position. The coming weeks will be critical for the Islanders as they strive to make a push under their new coach's guidance, aiming to turn their season around and secure a spot in the postseason.