The Islanders prioritized resolving expensive late-game concerns because they needed to launch a playoff push.
Saint Louis — The Islanders’ locker room on Tuesday night was notable for being anything but victorious.
This season, the Islanders have attempted to hide a defeat much too frequently.
They refused to put on a good front after defeating the Penguins 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday.
When Mathew Barzal recorded the assist that won the game, what did he say to a group of reporters first?
“Aww, we have to figure it out by the end of the game.”
No lies found there, following the Islanders’ near-replica of their OT defeat to the Rangers on Sunday, as they blew a 4-2 lead in regulation and allowed the Penguins to steal a point in a game they dominated.
The Islanders were spared from Pittsburgh thanks to Adam Pelech’s first goal of the year in overtime, but they have seen enough of this this season to know that this is the exception rather than the rule.
The Islanders are fully aware of their current standings, which tie them with the Devils for the second wild-card berth and put them four points behind the Red Wings with 55 games remaining in the season.
The participants in the room must cooperate if they want to pull together a run.
“Just timely stuff,” stated Barzal. “I take a terrible penalty even if the score is 1-1. We might have easily taken the lead there, 2-1. Small things are what we need to find a way to let go of.
“I actually noticed a stat today, and I believe we’re seventh in the league without the lead, or something like that. And every team surrounding us is a strong contender. We’re in every single hockey game, so we really need to figure out a method. We have a significant lead and need to find a way around this obstacle. Although the victory tonight is pleasing, it wasn’t supposed to happen. I have to figure out how to improve.”
Yes, the Islanders do
I believe the boys are beginning to get it. Coach Patrick Roy remarked, “Like I said, it’s their team, and I’m here to help them.” It’s a collaboration. I adore their involvement. From this bunch, I couldn’t ask for much more. This is a really friendly group that genuinely cares about winning. I adore that, so
The Islanders’ next four games are all against teams that are in the running for the playoffs: the Blues on Thursday, followed by the Lightning, Stars, and Red Wings on Friday. Particular significance lies with Tampa Bay and Detroit, the two teams who presently occupy wild-card places in the Eastern Conference.
It is no longer appropriate to consider building blocks and bright spots. Now is the perfect moment to kick undesirable habits and focus on
In particular, the careless penalties and switching to defense when leading must halt. Barzal prioritized himself on that front, having taken two of those penalties in the previous two games.
“It’s just not possible to have two stick penalties in the last two games,” he declared. It’s great that our kill has that self-assurance. It’s obvious that this year hasn’t always been easy. However, as I have stated, we must immediately turn the page, and I believe we accomplished so with the difficult Ranger game. We were prepared to play when we arrived here tonight.
It appears that the Islanders’ serious issue is now at the forefront of their thinking in the locker room. They now require
