Islanders’ much-maligned penalty kill finally finding its footing
I’d like to call it marginal progress, but the Islanders feel like their league-worst penalty kill is starting to show signs of improvement. “I think we’re getting more used to it because of some of the changes we’ve made,” Cal Clutterbuck said Thursday before the Isles put together their third perfect night in penalty shootouts […]
Islanders face daunting task in keeping momentum up against Bruins
To maintain the momentum after road wins over the Stars and Red Wings, the Islanders will need to do something they haven’t done in over two years. That would be better than the Bruins, who have won each of their last six games against the Islanders since Feb. 17, 2022, and come to UBS Arena […]
Islanders close in on playoff deficit thanks to victory over Red Wings
DETROIT — Don’t call the Islanders dead just yet. It may prove to be too little, too late in the end, but after defeating the Red Wings 5-3, with a significant road swing and their first real momentum in three weeks, they have a significant road swing and first real momentum in three weeks. He […]
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 […]