Fans have blamed the defense and goaltending as the main issue plaguing the New York Islanders. While the Isles sit close to last in most defensive categories, including goals against (157), goals against per game (3.65) and shots allowed per game (33), it is not entirely on the back end.
Aside from John Tavares, the rest of the top line and rookie Mathew Barzal, the offense has also been struggling. What’s frustrating is that the first six players have scored a combined 95 goals. If the bottom two would chip in even just a little more, the Islanders would be fighting at the top of the division right now.