2023 New York Islanders Predictions with Futures Odds and Expert NHL Picks
Summary of last season
The New York Islanders somehow managed to get the first wild card spot as they finished with 93 points last season. They made the playoffs despite having a losing record on the road, something only them, Tampa Bay and Winnipeg managed to do. They were really good on their home ice, going 25-13-3. Their five shootout losses were tied for the second highest mark.
Balanced Brock Nelson led the team with 75 points (36 G and 39 A). C Matthew Barzal and LW Anders Lee finished second and third on the team with 51 and 50 points, respectively. Barzal managed to get to 51 points in just 58 games. Ilya Sorokin was incredible last season, allowing just 2.34 GA/G, with a solid .924 SV%, good for 6th and 4th best in the NHL, respectively.
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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the New York Islanders in 2023-24:
Key Additions/Losses
The Isles traded RW Josh Bailey and a 2nd round pick in 2026 to Chicago for future considerations. Bailey notched 25 points in 64 games last year.
They replaced Bailey, by signing F Julien Gauthier, who totaled 14 points with the Rangers and Senators last season.
Other than that, this team is basically the same version as we saw a season ago.
X-Factors
Offense ???- We know the goalie situation is elite, but there is no offense. AND they did nothing this offseason to improve. Nelson is well above average. However, after that, there is little help. If Barzal had appeared in all 82 games, he would have been projected to post around 66 points, and C Kyle Palmieri could have reached 44 points if he managed a full season of work.
Though it’s not that easy, there may be some improvement internally we could witness this season, but I do not think it is enough for this Isles team to be considered a serious contender.
Goalie Outlook
Ilya Sorokin is the favorite for the Vezina trophy this upcoming season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. And why wouldn’t he be? He has steadily improved each of his three seasons in the NHL and will be expected to take most of the load or more again this season. Semyon Varlamov is back as the number two option after signing a long extension this offseason. Varlamov allowed just 2.70 GA/G in 23 appearances last year.
Grade: A
Key Schedule Stretch
November 9th- December 2nd- This 12-game stretch will be tough for the Isles, as they are on the road in nine of those matchups. The road trips include Boston, Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, Ottawa, New Jersey, Carolina, and Florida. That is six playoff locks and three fringe playoff teams. The home games are nice little cushions in Philadelphia (twice) and Washington, but this New York team will be lucky to come away from this stretch with a winning record and the potential for a 3-9 result is there.
Notable Odds
*DraftKings
Stanley Cup Champions - +5000
Conference Winner - +2500
Division Winner - +1500
Vezina Trophy- Ilya Sorokin- +400
Prediction
In my NHL Team Points Prediction article, this was another pick I left with the contingent of adding more. They did not, and therefore I do not like the over 92.5. Their offense is just not there, they lack star power, and the depth is unproven. Sorokin may be the league’s best goalie and is certainly a top three name, but he will not be enough for this team. This team will be fighting for a wild card. However, thanks to the improvements of Detroit, Buffalo, and even Ottawa, I don’t think the Isles will reach the postseason this time around.
Under 92.5 Team Total Points
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