The New York Islanders are facing a troubling issue, as they continue to falter in the third period of games.
On Wednesday, they lost to the Boston Bruins at home after giving up two goals and an empty-netter in the final frame, despite being tied 3-3 going into the third. Though they didn’t technically blow a lead like in previous games, they were still unable to close out a game that was very much within their grasp.
So, what’s behind the Islanders’ struggles?
While the Islanders have demonstrated resilience, skill, and hard work in games against tough opponents, they consistently fall short in the final moments. When the game is on the line, they seem to lose focus and fail to finish strong, leading to losses they could otherwise avoid.
I’ve had a theory about this since the start of the season: the Islanders are running out of gas in the third period. This could be a physical conditioning issue, as they appear to struggle to maintain their intensity in the final 10 minutes of games.
It’s worth noting that other teams, like the Boston Bruins, have had similar third-period struggles. For example, in a game against the Ottawa Senators a few weeks ago, the Bruins didn’t manage a single shot on goal in the third period. This lack of effort was one of the factors that led to Jim Montgomery’s firing.
But is the Islanders’ problem purely physical, or is there more to it?
The Islanders’ third-period woes go beyond just the players. The common narrative is that they lose focus, particularly when protecting a lead in the final minutes. If that’s the case, the responsibility falls on head coach Patrick Roy. Coaches must be able to calm their players and guide them in clutch moments. Great coaches know how to handle high-pressure situations and deploy their players strategically when it matters most.
More crucially, coaches must address these problems between games, not just during the heat of the moment. However, Roy has yet to demonstrate this kind of proactive approach. At times, his expression on the bench suggests confusion or uncertainty, as if he’s caught off guard by the situation.
It’s difficult to place all the blame on Roy, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Islanders have been one of the best teams in the league for the first 40 minutes of play. As my colleague Michael Stahurski noted, if games were only 40 minutes long, the Islanders would be at the top of the NHL standings.
Unfortunately, games are 60 minutes long, and it’s the final 10 minutes where the Islanders are most vulnerable. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that Roy needs to address these issues immediately. Otherwise, the Islanders could be facing a disappointing season and a potential coaching change.
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