Photo: MLive
The New York Islanders announced on Saturday afternoon that they have fired head coach Lane Lambert after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday to finish a 0-3-1 road trip. They are also 1-5-1 over their last seven games. Former Colorado Avalanche head coach and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy was named his replacement.
New York has fallen to 19-15-11 (.544 points percentage) this season, 12th in the Eastern Conference, and is currently two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot after falling in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs during Lambert’s first season as head coach.
Lambert came over to the Island as Barry Trotz’s assistant when he was hired by New York on June 21, 2018.
New York ranks 24th in the NHL with a 2.93 goals-per-game and a 3.36 goals-against per game. Though their 22.8% power play efficiency is good for 12th, their 73% penalty-killing rate is tied for 28th.