Can the New York Islanders Resolve Their Bottom-Six Struggles?
The New York Islanders are currently fighting for a wild card spot but are dealing with several key injuries, including the absences of Mat Barzal, Anthony Duclair, Adam Pelech, and Mike Reilly. While Barzal, Duclair, and Pelech are expected back in the next few weeks, Reilly is out indefinitely after undergoing heart surgery on October 20.
Isaiah George has stepped in effectively for Reilly, but the main issue for the Islanders right now is the bottom six. The Engvall, Cizikas, and Holmstrom line has been a bright spot, serving as the team’s shutdown line.
The Struggling Fourth Line
Since being called up from Bridgeport, Pierre Engvall has been on a roll, scoring in three of his last four games and looking like a much-improved player. Simon Holmstrom has been aggressive and has looked comfortable on the third line, while Casey Cizikas has played his usual two-way game and been strong on the forecheck.
However, the fourth line, currently made up of Martin, MacLean, and Wahlstrom, has been struggling. They’ve been outplayed in almost every area by opposing teams, leaving head coach Patrick Roy with limited options due to the injuries. But is there a potential fix?
One player worth giving another shot is Liam Foudy. A former first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Foudy brings much-needed speed to the Islanders’ lineup. He doesn’t need to rack up points on the fourth line, but his solid defensive play and forechecking could make a significant difference. Foudy is a much stronger skater than both Matt Martin and Oliver Wahlstrom, which could provide the Islanders with a fresh dynamic.
With the current injuries, one possible solution would be to shift the lines to Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom on the third line, and Foudy-MacLean-Wahlstrom on the fourth. This adjustment would give the Islanders a new look on the fourth line and might help address their struggles.
Do you think the Islanders might try this until Barzal and Duclair return?
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