New York Islanders Fire Lambert, Hire Patrick Roy as Coach
After less than two seasons, Lane Lambert is out as coach of the New York Islanders, with the club announcing Saturday it has hired Patrick Roy behind the bench.
Islanders Fire Lane Lambert, Hire Patrick Roy as Coach
The New York Islanders have made a coaching change, firing Lane Lambert and hiring Patrick Roy as their new head coach. Lambert was let go after less than two seasons with the team, as the Islanders have struggled to find consistency and remain in the playoff hunt. With a record of 19-15-11, they are currently two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot in the crowded Eastern Conference.
The Islanders have been on a four-game losing streak, the longest active streak in the NHL, and have only won two of their last 10 games. President of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello felt that the team's inconsistency needed to be addressed, leading to the decision to hire Roy.
Patrick Roy, a Hall of Fame goaltender, returns to an NHL bench for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when he coached the Colorado Avalanche. During his three seasons with the Avs, Roy led the team to the playoffs in his first season and won the Jack Adams Award. He brings an aggressive presence to the Islanders and Lamoriello believes he is the right person for the job.
Roy's Challenge: Consistency and Defensive Improvement
As the new coach of the New York Islanders, Patrick Roy's main objective will be to bring consistency to the team's play. The Islanders have struggled to stop opponents from scoring, allowing the second-most shot attempts per 60, the third-most scoring chances per 60, and the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60, according to Natural Stat Trick's metrics.
Roy will also face the challenge of getting the Islanders into the playoffs for a consecutive season. Currently, there are six teams within four points of the final wild-card spot, making the race highly competitive. Additionally, the Islanders have a goal differential of minus-21, indicating their defensive issues.
With Roy's experience and aggressive approach, the Islanders hope to turn things around and secure their spot in the playoffs.
Lambert's Departure and Islanders' Struggles
Lane Lambert had been with the New York Islanders since the start of the 2018-19 season, serving as an associate coach before being promoted to head coach in the 2022-23 season. Under Lambert's guidance, the Islanders made the playoffs last season but were eliminated in the first round.
However, this season has been challenging for the Islanders, with a tumultuous start that included a seven-game losing streak in November. Despite a stretch of success in November and December, the team struggled to maintain consistency, resulting in another losing streak. The Islanders' defensive issues and mounting losses ultimately led to Lambert's departure.
The Islanders hope that the hiring of Patrick Roy will provide a fresh start and bring about the changes necessary to improve their performance and secure a playoff spot.
