In an unexpected move, the New York Islanders have announced the hiring of Patrick Roy as their new head coach, replacing Lane Lambert. The appointment comes as the Islanders aim to turn their recent slump around and secure a playoff spot in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division.

Patrick Roy, a Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender, previously coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2013 to 2016 before resigning in August 2016. During his tenure with the Avalanche, Roy achieved a record of 130 wins, 92 losses, and 24 ties in 246 regular-season games. He also guided the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with a 3-4 record in seven games. Roy's remarkable coaching abilities were recognized in 2013-14 when he won the prestigious Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year.

The departure of Lane Lambert, who was fired by the Islanders, marks the end of his second season as head coach. Lambert led the team to a respectable record of 61 wins, 46 losses, and 20 ties in 127 regular-season games. Furthermore, he guided the Islanders to the playoffs, posting a 2-4 record in six games. Lambert's coaching career began in 2022 when he replaced Barry Trotz as the Islanders' coach after serving as an associate coach for several seasons.

The hiring of Patrick Roy comes at a critical time for the Islanders, as they have recently struggled, losing four consecutive games and six out of their last seven. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, the team trails the Detroit Red Wings by just two points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Next on the Islanders' schedule is a home game against the Dallas Stars on Sunday, where Roy will make his debut behind the bench. The Islanders will be looking toward their new coach to provide a fresh perspective and rally the team for a much-needed victory.

With Lambert's dismissal, he joins a growing list of NHL coaches who have been fired this season, including D.J. Smith (Ottawa Senators), Jay Woodcroft (Edmonton Oilers), Dean Evason (Minnesota Wild), and Craig Berube (St. Louis Blues).

The Islanders organization and fans alike are eager to see how Patrick Roy's leadership and expertise will impact the team's performance moving forward.