Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin found next level in timely road trip dominance
DETROIT — The difference between good goaltending and great goaltending was clear for the Islanders this season. Ilya Sorokin a year ago was great. According to Evolving Hockey, he had a .924 save percentage, an astonishing 51.36 goals saved over expectations, and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, helping the Islanders reach the playoffs. […]
Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck faces uncertain future
DETROIT — Cal Clutterbuck isn’t thinking about the decision that faces him at the end of this season. At least not yet. But at 36 years old and with his contract expiring, the veteran of 1,040 NHL games is well aware that this could be his last few months chasing the playoffs before calling it […]
Mathew Barzal’s extra-effort shift helped lead Islanders past Stars
DETROIT — Bo Horvat scored the winning goal in Dallas on Monday night, but it was Matt Barzal who won the game. This was a 49-second attack that included all three zones. Started two breaks, took the puck back to him twice along the wall, and eventually gave it to Horvat for a one-and-done shot, […]
Islanders hope they can build momentum by beating Red Wings
DETROIT — The Islanders felt like they were gaining momentum last week with an overtime win against Pittsburgh to start the road trip. They promptly lost the next game against St. Louis, dropping a four-point game at home to the Lightning, halting their momentum before it could become anything worthwhile. They started their road trip […]
Islanders likely to stick with new line experiment
DALLAS — The Islanders’ new top line of Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat and Matthew Barzal didn’t get on the scoreboard in Monday night’s 3-2 win over the Stars. But that didn’t stop head coach Patrick Roy from playing an impressive 16 minutes, 31 seconds at 5-on-5 until Horvat scored the game-winning goal on a feed […]
Bo Horvat’s OT goal gives Islanders much-needed win over Stars
DALLAS — The Islanders needed some production late in the game to break out of their recent slump. So, crucially, that’s exactly what they did. Bo Horvat’s overtime game-winner gave the Islanders a much-needed road win and a much-needed confidence boost with a 3-2 win over the Stars. It appeared as if the Islanders were […]
Islanders make dramatic change to top line to fix lack of even-strength goals
DALLAS — The Islanders’ last 5-on-5 goal was Mike Riley’s goal at 10:42 of the third period three games ago against the Penguins last Tuesday. Patrick Roy’s solution to this problem was to make some fundamental changes up front ahead of back-to-back games against Dallas and Detroit. The Islanders need a few wins to keep […]
Islanders fall further from playoff spot in in loss to Lightning
The Islanders’ season is officially in a spiral. Not only did they lose a crucial four-point game at home to the Lightning on Saturday. That said, if the 4-2 loss is any indication of what they’re capable of, pretending they’re even in the playoff race is an illusion. A seven point difference with less than […]
Islanders’ matchup with Lightning has massive playoff implications
Considering the Islanders have only won back-to-back games once since December, it’s kind of surprising that Saturday’s win could put them one step closer to making the playoffs. But even though the Capitals and Devils are tied for fourth place in the Metropolitan with the Isles, they are five points behind the Lightning with two […]
Critical mistakes continue to doom Islanders
Ryan Pulock chose his words carefully when asked if the Islanders are where they need to be mentally after Thursday night’s 4-0 loss to the Blues in St. Louis. “Well, I think that’s something you can do better,” he said. “I think each individual has to cherish the moment. There are going to be little […]