NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Islanders' momentum after defeating the Maple Leafs in overtime Thursday night will soon be put to the test.
The Islanders begin a four-game trip through the Central Region on Saturday in Nashville, then spend the next week on a course that includes stops in Minnesota, Winnipeg and Chicago.
That means facing a Jets team that currently leads the NHL, a Predators team vying for a wild-card spot, and a rejuvenated Wild team under an interim coach that will ultimately lead to the Blackhawks. I'm going to take a break. Near the league basement.
With two home games followed by a four-game trip to the West, this is the toughest period of the Islanders' season and one of the most important. The Isles enter Friday's game in third place ahead of the Flyers. Metropolitan Division in tiebreak.
“It’s important to always have the same energy.” [Thursday] Because we want to play our best game and we want to win every game,'' Alexander Romanov said after Thursday's 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs.
Thursday's line change to separate Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat for the first time this year was a sign that the Islanders had found their offensive rhythm against the Maple Leafs and that Casey Cizikas had been declaring a lower grade each week. Considering this, it is expected that it will remain as it is. -Physical injury – Not expected to return any time soon.
The atmosphere in the Islanders' locker room Thursday night was that they had found their game and needed to build on it after losing four of five games since New Year's Eve.
“I wasn't very happy with the last two games,” Barzal said. “It hasn't been fun being in the rink the last few days. It's a big win against a good team. I'm happy to get this song tonight in front of the fans in a pretty packed venue. For them and especially For us, we needed that.”
A win over the Predators for the first time in nine tries against former head coach and current Nashville general manager Barry Trotz would be a good way to affirm that sentiment.
On Thursday, Barzal became the first player in NHL history to have at least three assists in regulation and score the game-winning goal in overtime in multiple games, according to team statistician Eric Hornig.
It was the second win against the Maple Leafs this season, the first coming on November 30 at Carolina, and the 29th and 30th wins in league history.
