Insights on the potential impact of the Islanders' newly appointed power-play coach on their struggling squad
The New York Islanders have brought in Ray Bennett as the assistant coach for their power play unit, hoping to turn around a struggling unit that has underperformed since the 2005 lockout.
Bennett, who was previously fired by the Colorado Avalanche last season, will be implementing strategies he used during his tenure with the Avalanche. However, the specific head coach or power play coach responsible for these strategies is not mentioned in the available information. The Islanders are currently relying on Patrick Roy for power play and penalty kill work.
During the regular season, the power play unit converted at 24.79%, a significant improvement from their dismal performance in the playoffs, where they managed just 13.64%. This regular-season conversion rate was below 24% only during the shortened 2020-21 season for the Avalanche.
Since the 2005 lockout, the Islanders cumulatively rank 31st leaguewide on the power play at 17.5%. The Islanders last reached 24% or above on the power play in 1986-87. The team has been above 20% on the power play only three times since 1994.
The Islanders' power play unit's performance in the past has been inconsistent, with periods of underperformance, particularly since the 2005 lockout. Last season, the power play unit converted at 12.56%, ranking 31st in the league.
The Islanders would be pleased with a power play conversion rate lower than 24.79%, given their recent history of struggle. Bennett's power play unit for the Avalanche went 3-for-22 in a seven-game first-round loss to the Stars, which significantly impacted his dismissal from the team.
Despite the struggles, there is a glimmer of hope for the Islanders' power play unit. With Bennett's expertise and the team's renewed focus, fans are eager to see if the unit can turn things around and help the team make a deep playoff run.
