New York Islanders season snapshot

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, NHL.com is taking stock of each of the League's 31 teams.
Today, a snapshot of the New York Islanders at the pause:

New York Islanders

Record: 35-23-10, 80 points
Playoff position: One point behind Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets for first wild card into Stanley Cup Playoffs from Eastern Conference
The Islanders found out the hard way an NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint. They reeled off 10 straight wins from Oct. 12 to Nov. 5, which was part of their Islanders record 17-game point streak, which did not end until Nov. 25.
But the past four months weren't nearly as kind. Forward Cal Clutterbuck had his wrist cut by a skate blade during a game at the Boston Bruins on Dec. 19, an injury that forced him to miss more than two months. Adam Pelech, a top-pair, shutdown defenseman, injured his Achilles prior to a game against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 2, which was projected to keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Center Casey Cizikas had his left leg lacerated by a skate blade against the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 11 and didn't return in the projected 3-to-4 week timeline. Johnny Boychuk received 90 stitches after his left eyelid was cut by a skate on March 3.
More Islanders season snapshot coverage: Awards | Fantasy honors | Memorable moments
In an attempt to fill the void left by Pelech's injury, the Islanders acquired defenseman Andy Greene from the New Jersey Devils for a second-round pick at the 2021 NHL Draft on Feb. 16. Eight days later, center Jean-Gabriel Pageau was traded to New York by the Ottawa Senators for a first- and second-round pick in 2020 and a conditional third-round selection.
The acquisition of Pageau, who immediately signed a six-year, $30 million contract with New York, was a clear sign of the belief general manager Lou Lamoriello had that the Islanders could contend this season for a Stanley Cup championship. Pageau arrived from Ottawa with an NHL career-high 24 goals this season, and his addition would make New York that much deeper down the middle when Cizikas could return from his injury, joining top-two centers Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson.
But the injuries, combined with inconsistent defensive play and goaltending, had the Islanders outside Stanley Cup Playoff position and losers of seven straight games (0-3-4) before the NHL season paused March 12.

Breakout player

Michael Dal Colle: He hasn't produced the offense one would expect from the fifth pick in the draft (2014), but the forward has been trusted consistently by coach Barry Trotz in a bottom-six role. Dal Colle, who split last season between New York and Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, has become a full-time NHL player for the Islanders and has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 53 games.

Statement win

Islanders 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (OT), Nov. 21:The Islanders set a team record by extending their point streak to 16 games, and Brock Nelson scored in overtime for a second straight game to complete a home-and-home sweep against the Penguins, who they also swept the 2019 Eastern Conference First Round. It was New York's third win of the season against Pittsburgh, with each requiring overtime (4-3 on Nov. 7 at Barclays Center). Anthony Beauvillier also scored for the Islanders, extending his goal streak to four games.

Most compelling game

Islanders 1, Colorado Avalanche 0, Jan. 6:In his first game against the Avalanche since signing a four-year contract with the Islanders on July 1, 2019, goalie Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves, including 12 in the third period, to help New York end a four-game home skid (0-3-1) at Nassau Coliseum. Varlamov played the previous eight seasons with Colorado. Anders Lee scored the lone goal of the game at 6:54 of the third period.