ST. LOUIS — What was striking about the Islanders’ dressing room Tuesday night was that it was far from a victory.
Too often this season, the Islanders tried to put on a face of satisfaction in losing.
After defeating the Penguins 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday, the Penguins refused to celebrate the victory.
What was the first thing Mathew Barzal said to reporters after recording the game-winning assist?
“Yeah, we really need to figure that out late in the game.”
After the Islanders lost to the Rangers in overtime on Sunday, fumbling for a 4-2 lead in regulation and nearly giving up a point in a game in which the Penguins were in control, No lies were detected.
Adam Pelech’s first goal of the season in overtime allowed the Isles to defeat Pittsburgh unscathed, but things like this have happened so often this season that the Islanders have learned that it’s the exception, not the rule. I understand.
Fifty-five games into the season, the Islanders are no strangers to the standings — they are tied with the Devils, four points behind the Red Wings for second place in the wild-card spot.
If they’re going to put together a run, that means the players in that room need to raise the standard.
“It’s really timely,” Barzal said. “flat [with the score] 1-1, bad penalty taken. It could have easily been 2-1 after we scored. It’s a small thing, you have to find a way to get rid of it.
“I looked at the stats today and I actually think we’re fifth in the league without a lead or anything like that. And the teams around us are all top contenders. I mean, we are in every hockey game, so we really have to find a way. We actually have a big lead, so we have to find a way to get over the hump. Win tonight. I’m glad we won, but we shouldn’t have won. We have to find a way to get better.”
Indeed, the Islanders rank fifth in least time differential behind the Bruins, Canucks, Capitals and Panthers.
It’s a testament to both their own underlying talent and how it’s been thrown away through 55 games. Few teams in recent history have been more self-destructive.
Rejecting reconciliation is a good step toward changing the situation.
“I think the players are starting to understand. Like I said, this is their team and I’m here to help them,” coach Patrick Roy said. “It’s a partnership. I love seeing them involved. I can’t ask for anything more from this group. This is such a great group, they care and they want to win. . So I love it.”
The Islanders’ next four games are all against playoff contenders. It starts Thursday against the Blues, then goes on to face the Lightning, Stars and Red Wings. Tampa Bay and Detroit are the two teams that currently hold wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.
The time to think about fundamentals and silver linings is over. It’s time to break bad habits and work on winning.
In particular, we need to eliminate sloppy penalties and falling back on defense when we have a lead. Barzal, who has converted two of those penalties in the past two games, has put himself at the forefront in that regard.
“Two stick penalties in the last two games is impossible,” he said. “It’s great to be able to gain confidence. There have certainly been some tough times this year. But like I said, we have to turn the page quickly and I I thought we did that in the Ranger game, it was a tough game. We came here tonight and we were ready to play.”
It appears the seriousness of the Islanders’ situation has finally come to the forefront of locker room mentality. Now they need the consequences that come with it.
“It feels good,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “But the reality is we’ve got a long road ahead of us. We’re going to have fun tonight and tomorrow we’re going to think about what’s next. Obviously we’re going to have to piece some things together. ”
