I don't think the Islanders played poorly against the Rangers. I think the Islanders are a better team than them, much better, even with the injuries.
They just lost.
Problem is. The Islanders have "just lost" A LOT lately. Even when they've played well.
There's parity in this league and the Islanders need to play better, they need to play just well enough to win, not just well enough to lose. The personnel is "good enough" to win most of these games. They've had a pretty easy schedule and are letting games slip away, that's concerning.
I don't like the lines, at all. I don't agree with many of the roster decisions and I don't like Bouchard on this team. Still, the NYR are awful and these are games the Islanders need to win - period.
Maybe bringing in a new coach will help. Someone without loyalties to the same players that have brought the same results, time after time. It's a little on Snow, a little more on Capuano but I can't pick a specific player who's really underperformed based on expectations.
They are what they are. I'd argue most players have overachieved relative to their past (Bailey, Okposo (at least statistically), Nielsen, Grabner, Hamonic, Hickey (who I think has been excellent all year), Cizikas, Martin). The only underperforming players have been Carkner and Donovan, and they are playing pretty much as expected as I see it. Same for Regin/Bouchard/Clutterbuck - pretty much what was expected.
Nabby is exactly where I expected as well.
So, is it the personnel that's lacking? I think so. They need a GOOD defenseman (at least one) and a reliable (BETTER) goalie. The forwards are good.
Is it coaching? possibly. Is it poor line selections? (I think yes) or poor preparation/motivation? (at times. But all teams face this). The special teams have been excellent.
I'm not sure who to blame. The Isles have only FOUR wins in 12 game. That is a ticket to the lottery. Even though the team's better than they were last year (on the surface) and they've been in every game, they aren't getting the results.
Next steps: Snow needs to bring in a solid dman (I don't think will happen) and a goalie (maybe Bryzgalov) and then pray Visnovsky gets back.
On Tavares, he's played well. Not outstanding, but he's working hard and creating a lot of chances as he always does. Not getting the results and the frustration is showing. He's also taking longer shifts, trying to do too much on his own, signs of a frustrated player who's trying to carry the team on his own. It's a good sign and a bad sign. But he's the franchise and I'm not worried about his game AT ALL.