The New York Islanders vs. Seattle Kraken
The New York Islanders are preparing to host the Seattle Kraken this Sunday evening, facing a familiar figure in former head coach Lane Lambert. After a tough 2-1 defeat against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night—a setback that followed a strong road trip—the Islanders will take to the ice at 5 PM ET, showcasing the event on MSGSN.
Lane Lambert’s Coaching Journey
Lane Lambert, who served as an assistant coach under Barry Trotz, stepped into the Islanders’ head coaching role after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. His promotion came in the wake of Trotz’s departure, following a challenging year for the team. In his inaugural season, Lambert posted a record of 43 wins, 31 losses, and 9 overtime losses, successfully guiding the Islanders to the playoffs, although they were quickly eliminated in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
His tenure, however, was short-lived as he was dismissed after just 42 games into the 2023-24 season by then-general manager Lou Lamoriello, who brought in Hockey Hall of Famer and former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy to replace him. Lambert faced criticism for his ability to extract maximum performance from his players, particularly during the final stretch of the road trip that preceded his dismissal, but it was understood that he inherited a challenging situation on Long Island, taking over from a mentor adept at maximizing the potential of a flawed roster.
Lambert’s Return to Coaching
Despite his dismissal, Lambert would not remain off the ice for long; he initially joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an associate coach for the 2024-25 season before securing the head coaching position with the Kraken. He succeeded Dan Bylsma, who endured a disappointing season with a record of 35-41-6, placing second-to-last in their division.
Under Lambert’s guidance, the Kraken have emerged as one of the unexpected success stories this season, positioning themselves second in the Pacific Division with an impressive 11-5-5 record over their first 20 games. While their offense is not prolific, averaging 2.71 goals per game (ranking them 27th in the league), their solid defensive play is notable—they boast a goals-against average of 2.67, placing them fourth best in the NHL. Their goaltending trio has also shone, with Joey Daccord leading the charge.
Upcoming Matchup
While the Kraken find themselves in the midst of a back-to-back scenario—having just secured a thrilling overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins—Lambert returns to UBS Arena, having previously visited as an associate coach with Toronto. This matchup will mark his first return as a head coach, making it a notable occasion for both Lambert and the Islanders as they strive to rebound from last night’s loss.
