New York Islanders’ 2024-25 Record Prediction – Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

Following a 39-27-16 record last season, the New York Islanders entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Metropolitan Division before falling in Round 1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. The season was disappointing overall, although the team exceeded expectations by reaching the play-offs.

Related: New York Islanders 2024-25 Stat Predictions

With the 2024-25 season upon us, a new opportunity is upon us for the Islanders. The group may not have much financial flexibility. Still, they brought in Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov in free agency, re-signed Mike Reilly, and let veterans Cal Clutterbuck, Robert Bortuzzo, and Sebastian Aho walk. With a full training camp and preseason under head coach Patrick Roy, fans expect to build on last season. Given the team’s 100-point pace under Roy, it’s understandable why expectations are high, but should they be?

250-260 Terms

Last season, the Islanders scored 245 goals, 22nd most in the NHL. This was a disappointing number, especially with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau combining for only 31. With the addition of Tsyplakov and Duclair, this goal number will increase, but by how much?

If Duclair and Tsyplakov mesh well with the current core, a 15-20 goal increase is not out of the question. With Lee and Pageau looking to bounce back, this core forward could produce north of 270 goals. However, that’s a lot to do, and that’s assuming everyone stays healthy for all 82 games, meaning the total could come in just above last season’s 245-goal finish.

230-240 Terms against

Last season the Islanders allowed 258 goals, 15th most in the NHL. However, they have only conceded 158 goals at even strength, 10th fewest in the league. With Roy’s defense now done and quarterbacks Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield healthy, this number will drop, possibly into the 220s. While it’s possible the team will give up a few goals, it’s more likely they’ll end up at 230-240, which would still be close to the 75th percentile, especially considering the health concerns associated with defense and scoring.

Record Prediction – 42-31-9 (93 points)

The Islanders would likely end up winning about 39-45 and losing eight to 12 overtimes. Few of the blown leads that led to 16 overtime losses should be converted into wins, but competition in the Eastern Conference has increased with the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington Capitals all making big strides this season. Although the Islanders are still among the better teams in the conference, they are on the verge of more one-goal games.

At this point, the most likely outcome is that the Islanders finish with 88-95 points in the standings. The Metropolitan Division isn’t the strongest, so there should be some easy points to take throughout the season against teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers. The Atlantic Division is very strong, which should be a good thing as the Islanders will be battling for the Wild Card spots with the Senators, Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres. If these teams can work hard in the regular season, the Islanders will have an easy time winning these divisional championships.

At this point, the Islanders are very likely to miss the playoffs. In terms of standings, the team will not finish second in the Metropolitan Division, but third place will be up for grabs. Otherwise, both Wild Card positions are up for grabs, depending on the results of the Atlantic Division. Right now, I have the Islanders finishing in second place for the Wild Card and the Eastern Conference Champion New York Rangers.

Significant Matches

The Islanders will face the Rangers four times this season (Nov. 3, Feb. 25, Mar. 3, and Apr. 10). This rivalry always produces tight matchups, and while the Rangers are the better team on paper, I bet the Islanders go 2-1-1 in the four games.

In their 26 divisional games this season, I feel confident that the Islanders can salvage a good record, going 12-9-5. Winning games in the Atlantic Division will be difficult, so taking half of these games would be an achievement. While the Western Conference has weak teams like the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks, the Islanders have historically struggled on California road trips, so none of these games should be taken lightly. Similar to the Atlantic Division, winning more than half of their matchups against Western Conference teams would be successful.

The Islanders won their first regular season game in 2023-24, marking just the third time they have done so since opening their season in 2014-15 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Facing the Utah Hockey Club at UBS Arena to open the season, the Islanders have a chance to set the tone for a season where the franchise desperately needs to succeed.