Opinion
3 min read

Will the Islanders Reign Supreme at Crypto.com Arena?

As the New York Islanders prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Islanders have been showing a remarkable level of play, and their recent performance suggests that they could very well dominate in the upcoming game.


Dec 9, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (41) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Kings at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at their last game on March 1st against the Detroit Red Wings, NYI displayed an impressive offensive prowess by netting five goals. Their shooting percentage was a solid 18 percent, and they were particularly effective during even-strength play where they scored four out of their five goals. The team's ability to capitalize on opportunities was evident as they won 56 percent of faceoffs and blocked a substantial number of shots—21 in total.


The defensive side wasn't left behind either; goaltending was top-notch with a save percentage rounding up to 100 percent. This kind of goaltending performance is what can make or break games, and for NYI it certainly made that one.


Dec 9, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

In contrast, while analyzing LA's past performances would be ideal for comparison, this data isn't available here. However, given NYI's recent form and assuming consistency in LA's play from publicly known trends this season, it seems likely that the Islanders have an edge going into this matchup.


The powerplay unit for NYI also deserves recognition; although they only scored once on March 1st from three opportunities, it shows that they can make use of man-advantage situations when needed—a crucial factor in tight games.


Dec 9, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) reacts after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Another aspect worth noting is how well-rounded NYI’s efforts were across different periods during their last game. They started strong with two goals in the first period and sealed their victory with three more in the third period. This demonstrates not just skill but also stamina—something that will be essential when playing away from home.


However, fans should keep an eye on how well NYI manages giveaways as there were five instances previously which could have turned costly if not for their solid defense and goaltending backing them up.


As we look towards what promises to be an electrifying match-up between these two teams on March 12th at 7:30 PM PST (10:30 PM EST), fans should feel confident yet cautious—hockey is unpredictable after all. But if current trends hold true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see NYI leaving Los Angeles with another win under their belt.


Islanders enthusiasts eager to catch every moment can tune into ESPN+ online or watch via BSW or MSGSN on television for live coverage of what may become another testament to this team’s potential this season.

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