Islanders defense became their downfall

The New York Islanders (31-35-10, 72 points) were eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention after a 3-0 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday.
The Islanders have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and eight of the past 12. They are likely to have two chances to win the NHL Draft Lottery; they traded defenseman Travis Hamonic to the Calgary Flames on June 24 for their first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Here is a look at what happened in 2017-18 for the Islanders and why things could be better in 2018-19.

The skinny

Potential UFAs: John Tavares, F; Nikolay Kulemin, F; Chris Wagner, F, Calvin de Haan, D; Thomas Hickey, D; Dennis Seidenberg, D; Jaroslav Halak, G; Christopher Gibson, G.
Potential RFAs: Brock Nelson, F; Shane Prince, F; Ross Johnston, F; Alan Quine, F; Brandon Davidson, D; Ryan Pulock, D.
Potential 2018 Draft picks: 8

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What went wrong

Can't stop the puck: The Islanders needed at least six goals to win too many times this season; they've allowed at least five goals 12 times at home (1-9-2) and 21 times overall (1-18-2). Though it's easy to simply place the blame on goalies Jaroslav Halak, Thomas Greiss and Christopher Gibson, the Islanders also average 35.7 shots against per game, the most in the League.
Little help at the deadline: Despite still being very much in the playoff race, the Islanders did little to help their cause prior to the NHL Trade Deadline; they acquired defenseman Brandon Davidson from the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and forward Chris Wagner from the Anaheim Ducks for forward Jason Chimera. New York has won two games since the deadline (Feb. 26).
Ladd struggles: Things didn't get better for forward Andrew Ladd in his second season with the Islanders after signing a seven-year contract on July 1, 2016. Ladd, a six-time 20-goal scorer in his NHL career, needed 61 games to reach 10 this season and went 25 games without a goal before he scored against the Washington Capitals on March 15.

Reasons for optimism

Barzal is for real: Forward Mathew Barzal has been sensational in his first NHL season and is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie. Barzal, the No. 16 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, is one of six rookies since the start of the 2000-01 season to have at least 76 points, joining Alex Ovechkin (Capitals, 106), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins, 102), Evgeni Malkin (Penguins, 85), Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche, 78) and Artemi Panarin (Chicago Blackhawks, 77).

Pulock emerges: Not much went right this season for the Islanders defense, but Ryan Pulock is likely to be part of the top-four when they open training camp in September. Pulock has a dangerous shot, has gained confidence carrying the puck and is making better reads in his own end.
Tavares hasn't said no yet: He hasn't said yes either, but captain John Tavares, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft and the face of the Islanders, has said on multiple occasions that he has enjoyed his time in New York. As of now, Tavares can walk away as an unrestricted free agent July 1. There is still hope he will sign, more than likely for eight years, before he decides to test the market.