Islanders hire Patrick Roy as head coach after firing Lane Lambert

The New York Islanders fired coach Lane Lambert and replaced him with Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy on Saturday, a stunning midseason change behind the bench for the disappointing former Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

President of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the move to dismiss Lambert and bring in Roy, who hasn't coached in the NHL in nearly a decade. Roy has been mentioned in consideration for several vacancies since.

The Islanders have lost four games in a row and six of seven to fall out of a playoff spot.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> News: New York Islanders President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced today that Lane Lambert has been relieved of his coaching responsibilities. Patrick Roy has been named Head Coach of the New York Islanders.

Lambert was midway through his second season on the job. Roy coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons from 2013-16 before abruptly resigning a month before training camp.

Lambert, former Islanders coach Barry Trotz's longtime right-hand man, got his first NHL head job when he was promoted from assistant in the summer of 2012. He was on Trotz's staff when they won the Cup with Washington in 2018.

Lambert is the fifth coach fired in the league this season after Edmonton's Jay Woodcroft, Minnesota's Dean Evason, St. Louis' Craig Berube and Ottawa's D.J. Smith.