The New York Islanders face a significant challenge heading into the 2025-26 NHL season: a persistent inability to score goals. This offensive drought plagued the team throughout the 2024-25 season, hindering their ability to secure a playoff berth and raising concerns about the team's overall competitiveness.
Last season, the Islanders struggled mightily to find the back of the net, finishing among the league's worst in goals per game. They tied for 27th in the league with just 2.71 goals per game. Their power play was equally anemic, ranking 31st in the NHL with a dismal 12.6% conversion rate. While their expected goals at 5v5 were better (tied for 16th) the team couldn't convert, sitting 21st in 5v5 shooting percentage. These statistics paint a clear picture of a team struggling to generate offense and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Several factors contributed to the Islanders' offensive woes last season. Injuries to key players, most notably Mathew Barzal, significantly hampered the team's offensive output. Barzal, the team's most dynamic offensive talent, was limited to just 30 games. The absence of Barzal, along with injuries to other important players like Anthony Duclair and Noah Dobson, forced the Islanders to rely on secondary scoring, which proved insufficient.
The Islanders' struggles on special teams further compounded their scoring issues. Their power play was ineffective, failing to generate consistent scoring chances. The penalty kill was also among the league's worst, ranking 31st at 72.2%. The team's inability to capitalize on power play opportunities and their struggles to kill penalties resulted in missed opportunities to gain momentum and generate offense.
Recognizing the need to address their offensive deficiencies, the Islanders made several changes in the offseason. They parted ways with general manager Lou Lamoriello and hired Mathieu Darche to lead the team in a new direction. They also traded defenseman Noah Dobson and acquired forward Jonathan Drouin, who had a productive season with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24. The Islanders also signed Maxim Shabanov, who excelled in the KHL. The team hopes that these additions will provide a much-needed boost to their offensive output.
The Islanders' success in the 2025-26 season will hinge on their ability to improve their scoring touch. Mathew Barzal's health will be crucial, as the team needs its star forward to remain healthy and productive. The performance of newly acquired players like Jonathan Drouin and Maxim Shabanov will also be critical. Drouin is projected to slot in on the top line with Barzal and Bo Horvat. The team will also need to improve its special teams, particularly its power play, to generate more scoring chances.
Beyond individual performances, the Islanders will need to establish a consistent offensive identity and find ways to generate scoring chances as a team. Coach Patrick Roy will need to implement a system that allows the team's skilled players to thrive and create opportunities for the entire lineup. The Islanders will also need to improve their ability to close out games, as they struggled to hold leads in the third period last season.
While the Islanders have made some changes to address their scoring woes, it remains to be seen whether these moves will be enough to turn the tide. The team faces a challenging season ahead, and their ability to score goals consistently will ultimately determine their success. If the Islanders can find a way to ignite their offense, they have the potential to surprise their critics and compete for a playoff spot. However, if their scoring struggles persist, the 2025-26 season could be another long and frustrating one for the team and its fans.
