Surprisingly sufficient, the Bridgeport Islanders have performed effectively of their latest video games and have made up floor within the standings. They received two of their three video games on the Pennsylvania highway journey with a 6-1 trouncing of the Hershey Bears on Nov. 15 and a 5-2 win over the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins the subsequent day. Then their most up-to-date recreation noticed them earn some extent with a Nov. 23 3-2 loss within the shootout to the Charlotte Checkers.
Associated: 3 Causes the Bridgeport Islanders’ Offense Has Improved
The Islanders are nonetheless in final place within the Atlantic Division with a 4-10-1-2 file. Nevertheless, this crew seems to be totally different from the one which was the worst within the division final season. The Islanders have the gamers in place and the expertise to make the playoffs, even in a division that’s shaping as much as be a aggressive one.
Bridgeport Can Rating
Statistically, the Islanders have a below-average offense, averaging solely 2.88 objectives per recreation. The latest video games have proven that it has turned a nook with 21 objectives within the final six video games together with six objectives within the win over the Bears. The offense is one thing the crew can lean into to win video games and make up floor within the standings.
Brian Pinho is the chief of the offense with 10 objectives and 6 assists however the offense is extra than simply the veteran ahead. Chris Terry is again with the Islanders and has 13 assists whereas Alex Jefferies and Fredrik Karlstrom have mixed for 11 objectives and 7 assists. Whereas the protection has seen a handful of skaters come and go, Samuel Bolduc and Wyatt Newpower have emerged because the playmakers on the level with 5 objectives and 10 assists.
Final season, the Islanders couldn’t rating and so they struggled on protection as effectively. The protection continues to be a difficulty however the excellent news is that they’ll win video games with offense. It’s how this crew can play effectively down the stretch and make a push for a playoff spot.
Younger Skaters Will Spherical Out Roster
The Islanders have performed in loads of shut video games and have finished so with out receiving a lot from William Dufour, Matthew Maggio, or defenseman Calle Odelius, three of their prime prospects. The three skaters have mixed for under three objectives and 9 assists and have all struggled on the defensive finish of the ice. Maggio has began to show a nook in latest video games however Dufour has struggled and it’s why he was a wholesome scratch within the Nov. 23 recreation in opposition to the Checkers.
The three skaters will discover their footing because the season goes on and never solely discover large roles on the roster however make it one of many extra full ones within the American Hockey League (AHL). As soon as the trio of prospects get going, the Islanders will pile up the wins. Dufour is a scorer who can reap the benefits of open seems to be and Maggio is a well-rounded ahead who can do all of it. Likewise, Odelius can transfer the puck up the ice and change into a scoring risk on the blue line whereas additionally shutting down opposing offenses. The younger defenseman is studying the AHL recreation on the fly however with every recreation, he continues to regulate and enhance.
The Islanders have a youth motion serving to out their NHL roster with Isaiah George main the way in which. The identical factor is poised to occur with the AHL group with a whole lot of the younger skaters carving out pivotal roles. After they do, this crew will go on a run.
Hogberg Provides Goaltending Stability
The protection is a large number, permitting opponents to generate pictures on the web at will and overwhelm the goaltenders. It’s why the Islanders permit 3.76 objectives per recreation, one of many worst marks within the AHL. That mentioned, goaltender Marcus Hogberg has been a shiny spot. He’s a journeyman goaltender who has bounced round within the AHL and the NHL however has confirmed he can win video games and maintain video games shut.
He solely has one win this season however three losses in extra time, an indication that he can maintain the Islanders inside hanging distance and permit them to earn a number of factors. Extra importantly, he’s put collectively loads of robust performances with 37 saves on Oct. 19 in opposition to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 38 saves on Oct. 30 in opposition to the Penguins, and 32 stops within the newest recreation in opposition to the Checkers.
Jakub Skarek has his highs and lows as the opposite goaltender of the Islanders however Hogberg has added some stability. He’s the rationale the Islanders will win low-scoring video games and in lots of video games, pressure extra time to earn some much-needed factors.
Who Bridgeport Can Go To Make the Playoffs
The Islanders are in an amazing division, one which options the back-to-back Calder Cup champions within the Bears and a number of groups that look able to a championship run. The catch is that the Atlantic Division, nearly as good as it’s, is break up into two teams, the contenders and the bottomfeeders. Consequently, three groups shall be preventing for the ultimate playoff spot within the division and it’s a low bar to clear.
The Springfield Thunderbirds have struggled all through the season. Contemplating the deal with the NHL crew with the St. Louis Blues changing their head coach with hopes of maintaining a aggressive window open, the Thunderbirds have minimal room to enhance. Likewise, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms haven’t seemed nice this season both. If each groups proceed to play poorly, the Islanders can sneak into the playoffs with a decent end to the season.
The Islanders have the items in place to be a playoff crew. If the teaching employees can repair among the points throughout the roster and notably make the protection adequate to keep away from late-game collapses, the Islanders shall be adequate to make the playoffs.
