Last Saturday, the New York Islanders decided to part ways with coach Lane Lambert after less than two seasons. On the same day, the club announced that Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy had been appointed as the new coach.
The Islanders fired Lambert due to the team’s struggle for consistency in the playoff race. With a record of 19-15-11, they are two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Despite being in contention, the team is grappling with a four-game losing streak. This is their longest loss streak in the NHL, as they have secured only two victories in the last ten games.
On a video call with reporters, Islanders president of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello said how he felt “the inconsistency that has been going on for some period of time.”
“When I had the opportunity to meet with Patrick recently, I felt that this was the best for our organization to go forward,” he said.
Return since 2015-16
With this new gig, Roy returns to an NHL bench for the first time since the 2015-16 season. During his three-season tenure as coach of the Colorado Avalanche, Roy won the Jack Adams Award in his initial season, guiding the Avs to the playoffs. However, he missed the postseason in his final two campaigns.
“His presence is extremely aggressive,” Lamoriello said. “I thought he was the right person for the job.”
After coaching the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, Roy returned to the Remparts’ bench for the 2018-19 season. Under his guidance, the Remparts reached the playoffs in four out of five seasons, even though the 2019-20 playoffs were subsequently canceled due to the pandemic.
Last season marked Roy’s coaching peak. He led the Remparts to a 53-win season to clinch their sixth QMJHL title and secure the Memorial Cup for the third time in franchise history.
Roy’s debut behind the Islanders’ bench may happen this Sunday against the Dallas Stars at UBS Arena.
“One of my objectives will be to bring some consistency to their play,” Roy said.
As the new head coach, Roy faces the challenge of guiding the Islanders to consecutive playoff appearances and addressing defensive struggles. Analytics from Natural Stat Trick indicates the Islanders allow the second-most shot attempts per 60, the third-most scoring chances per 60, and the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60.
Parting ways with Lambert
Mounting losses and difficulties in the wild-card race influenced the decision to part ways with former coach Lambert. Defensive issues contributing to a minus-21 goal differential also played a part.
Lambert, an associate coach for four seasons, became the head coach at the start of the 2022-23 season. He managed to lead the Islanders back to the playoffs but lost in the first round to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lambert’s second season was riddled with challenges, including a seven-game losing streak in November. His team also allowed more than four goals per game. Despite a promising stretch between November and December, ending 2023 with a New Year’s Eve loss triggered another losing streak. They had eight defeats in the next ten games.
Concerns about Lambert’s future intensified after a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks last Friday. However, Islanders forward Matt Martin conveyed to the New York Post how responsibility ultimately lies on the players instead of the coach.
“I know what you’re probably alluding to, but we don’t want that,” Martin said after the match against the Blackhawks. “We want to come out and start playing hockey. At the end of the day, it’s on us. It’s just on us as players.”
Martin acknowledged that while coaches provide strategies, game plans and video analyses, the execution and performance on the ice rest squarely on the players.