The title says it all. Another team dressing almost all prospects despite the shots held a team that played all it's starters to the outside the entire night. Five preason games, and they looked outmatched in every one of them with major weaknesses through this roster. They lose that game 6-1 like the Devils game in New Jersey if the Rangers regulars dress. A prospect roasted Schaefer in overtime who is easily outplaying most of the veterans. Rittich looks unplayable and can't hold a shot. Darche? He said the magic words, Ritchie may have to go down for a little while. Problem is they have the same kind of player all through this lineup, and they are so slow. Not too many NYI teams stood out as this overmatched in so many area's this fast.
What did they do on the powerplay? They were pushed at the points by the Rangers and could not get to the net, overpassing, and forced to take outside shots at bad angles. Later DeAngelo took an excuse me shot that went in against a minor league goalie.
Hear from Head Coach Patrick Roy, Matthew Schaefer, and David Rittich after tonight's preseason game vs the Rangers ⬇️
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 30, 2025
Roy is in denial or is concerned he angers someone after he went overboard about Duclair. That's not going to happen again. Either he's the problem, the players are the problem or both which is what it looks like. For those reading this, and saying it's only preseason there is a big difference between having speed/skill/scoring players vs those who are slow/who don't score, and can't get to the net or create a chance a goalie cannot stop against prospects for five games this fast. And this defense at full strength, is very slow with far too many turnovers. DeAngelo is really fighting the puck in his own end as he did often in his career.
For all their problems with Nelson/Dobson they look far worse without them. Drouin looks done.