SAN JOSE, Calif. — His team had just lost a key game by four points, but Patrick Roy felt the tide was turning.
It was two weeks ago Saturday, after the Islanders suffered their fourth loss in five games, 2-4, to the Lightning, Roy told general manager Lou Lamoriello that the only thing missing was confidence.
Roy said Thursday before the Islanders, who haven’t lost since that day, beat the Sharks 7-2. “Sometimes it’s not just after you win. Even if you lose a game, you may be happy about the loss.”
In this game, the Islanders looked like they were losing in the first 40 minutes, losing 3-0 to the Lightning.
Roy then switched lines, playing Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal in the third period, and the Islanders cut the lead to 3-2 before Tampa scored into an empty net. .
At that point, the Red Wings, Flyers, and Lightning were starting to pull away in the standings, the Islanders were struggling to catch up, and their playoff chances were in jeopardy.
If the Islanders don’t start building a winning streak soon, their chances of getting over the cut line by the trade deadline will evaporate.
However, things changed when he arrived in California on a four-game winning streak.
The Islanders kept their line change from the third period in place and were playing their best hockey all season.
The Red Wings lost their third straight game and center Dylan Larkin went down with an injury.
Despite having a better-than-expected season, the Flyers traded defenseman Sean Walker on Wednesday, following management’s vow to stick to a rebuilding path.
Even Tampa entered Thursday having lost two of its past three games.
“Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling,” Roy said. “You looked at how we were playing, how we were taking the chances we had and how little we were giving away.” [up]. Does a lot of evaluation go into what scoring opportunities you have? What scoring chances are you giving up?We had chances to score, but I felt like either the puck was just bouncing our way or we just weren’t as confident as we needed to be. [be]. The same was true on defense. We were overthinking it a bit. ”
So what, other than line combinations, changed between that time and the overtime win at Dallas two days later?
“Honestly, I just think we’re all playing together,” Bo Horvat told the Post. “Obviously, we’re all getting used to the new system and stuff like that. I think all four lines are up and running as well, which is a big thing. Other players have stepped up at different times. There is.”
