"Amid those shortcomings, one number stood out: Blown leads. In particular, blown third-period leads were an issue that plagued the Islanders early in the season. In total, the Isles blew 18 leads throughout the season. The bulk came in the first half, setting the team early in the year. While the Islanders tightened up their game as the season wore on, those blown leads ultimately weighed heavily on the team's chances of regaining a playoff spot."
"Of the 18 total lost leads, 11 came in the third period. That's something that will have to change this season under Patrick Roy. Of course, the Chicago Blackhawks led the league with 31 blown leads, with the San Jose Sharks second with 27. In contrast, playoff contenders like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche registered two and three blown third-period leads, respectively. That's something that sets the postseason clubs apart from the rest."
The Islanders blew 18 leads during the 2024-25 season, with 11 of those collapses occurring in the third period. Most blown leads came in the first half, hindering early-season consistency and diminishing playoff odds. Patrick Roy will need to address late-game lapses before the upcoming season. The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks led the league with 31 and 27 blown leads respectively, while contenders like the Maple Leafs and Avalanche registered far fewer third-period losses. Injuries produced patchwork defensive pairings and shifted forwards out of regular roles, limiting defensive cohesion. A fully healthy roster can enable tighter defensive play and fewer late-game meltdowns.
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