Islanders Make Coaching Change Amidst Struggles
The New York Islanders have made a significant move behind the bench, dismissing Lane Lambert as head coach. In a bid to salvage their season and inject new life into the team, the Islanders have turned to a familiar face in hockey, appointing Patrick Roy as Lambert's successor.
Currently, the Islanders find themselves just shy of a playoff position, trailing the Detroit Red Wings by two points for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. This coaching change comes at a critical juncture as the team has been mired in a four-game losing streak and has managed only two victories in their last ten outings.
Lambert's tenure with the Islanders lasted less than two full seasons. Despite leading the team to the playoffs, they were ousted in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes. The team's performance this season has been marked by a seven-game losing streak in November, and the Islanders have been conceding over four goals per game recently. Their struggles were punctuated by a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, which raised serious questions about Lambert's future with the team.
Roy Returns to NHL Coaching
Patrick Roy's return to NHL coaching marks his first role in the league since the 2015-16 season when he was at the helm of the Colorado Avalanche. During his time in Colorado, Roy earned the Jack Adams Award, emblematic of the NHL's Coach of the Year. Following his stint with the Avalanche, Roy took on coaching duties with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, leading them to four playoff appearances in five seasons, including a sixth QMJHL title and a third Memorial Cup victory.
The Islanders are hopeful that Roy's track record of success can translate to an immediate impact. Known for his intense and aggressive presence, Roy is expected to address the team's inconsistencies and defensive lapses. The Islanders currently allow the second-most shot attempts per 60 minutes in the league, along with ranking third-worst in both scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes.
Roy's debut as head coach of the Islanders could come against the Dallas Stars at UBS Arena, where he will be tasked with turning around the fortunes of a team that ended 2023 on a sour note, losing on New Year’s Eve before dropping eight of their subsequent ten games.
Organization Seeks Consistency
The decision to bring Roy on board was influenced by the team's ongoing inconsistent play. "When I had the opportunity to meet with Patrick recently, I felt that this was the best for our organization to go forward," said a source from within the Islanders organization. Roy himself has emphasized the need for consistency, stating, "One of my objectives will be to bring some consistency to their play."
While Roy's reputation precedes him, there are reservations about his fiery demeanor potentially leading to conflicts. However, Roy has made it clear that his focus is squarely on the sport: "I know what you’re probably alluding to, but we don’t want that. We want to come out and start playing hockey. At the end of the day, it’s on us." This sentiment was echoed by players who recognize the onus is on them to perform: "It’s just on us as players."
The Islanders' locker room seems ready to embrace the change and the challenges ahead. With Roy at the helm, the team aims to rally and secure a playoff berth, hoping that a fresh approach can reverse their recent fortunes. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Islanders to see if this bold move pays dividends and if Roy's leadership can steer the team back into contention.
Lambert, who served as an associate coach for four seasons prior to his promotion to head coach, leaves behind a team that is eager to move past its recent struggles. The Islanders organization and its fans are looking forward to a new chapter under Patrick Roy, whose aggressive coaching style and proven track record offer hope for a turnaround.
With the clock ticking on the regular season, the Islanders and their new coach are set to embark on a crucial stretch of games. It remains to be seen if this mid-season shake-up will be the catalyst the Islanders need to secure their place in the postseason and make a deep run in pursuit of the Stanley Cup.