Islanders Join Forces Together in Fight against Injury - and Achieve Success

As soon as Patrick Roy joined, training camp began and identity began taking shape for New York Islanders team. “Our main focus at training camp has been building culture and creating new identities for this team,” shared Jean-Gabriel Pageau in September. “[That identity is created through playing hard for 60 minutes; building that identity,” explained Scott Mayfield. “You can tell from our practices and working methods – more physicality with more skating practice — the major difference from past camps.” But in that third period against the Sabres, they chose instead to band together and step up their game – eventually coming away with a 4-3 victory and breaking a three-game slide. “Everyone showed great courage tonight and made this game hard-fought and dramatic,” Horvat noted after the win. “Many guys not only play well and get on the scoresheet but also put themselves out there physically for this victory. We owe all these people thanks.” And while it wasn’t an easy game for our defense back there, but that only shows our character as a team: “We found a way.””Related Article: How an Unpredictable Win Can Turn Islanders Season AroundConsistency means building on past successes to maintain quality performances over time. The Islanders put forth their best effort against the Rangers on Sunday but ultimately fell 5-2, with Ilya Sorokin stopping Rangers forward Reilly Smith early and often during 5-on-5 play before ultimately failing on special teams and forcing overtime for New York to seal it with three goals against in the third period. “We played great!” Sorokin exclaimed afterward “Our 5-on-5 game was solid; unfortunately our special-teams failure cost them dear.” “This was another incredible game from all involved – with both teams giving 112-plus in five-on-5 play from 5-on-5 play to overtime against two powerhouse opponents that came away 5-2; our 5-on-5 game was fantastic and our special-team performance being most notable with their special-team failure proving costly against New York Rangers! 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He Robred….P.” “Him (Reilly Smith”…….Wand…Smith” Smith Ro………..” “…They went away From Rangs “Play Reilly Smith Robs Rangs…”We played great!”… “Play Great”. Play Great. But We Playe Roy noted, “we did many positive things”, yet noted areas for improvement despite winning or losing, with tracking giving up too many chances and our defensive zone needing improvement as a whole. Roy stressed the need for patient attack when it came to offensive play, saying they loved how we controlled Sunday’s game – something they want to continue doing going forward, much as previous winning teams used a similar tactic when controlling games.” When winning teams were dominating and we controlled games successfully they would win outright and Roy and company had taken control. “When the puck is in our possession, we control the game. And when we’re ready to attack, when is our moment,” I want my guys to know that when given control over, when under no pressure whatsoever they must take their time preparing themselves before attacking when ready. Ilya Sorokin made three saves to give the Islanders victory, marking two in three games with wins against Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. Horvat believes their comeback can be credited to staying grounded, not getting down on themselves and remaining level-headed despite tough situations – all things Horvat believes are critical components in staying successful as a team. “We have an inspiring group in here; good leaders that work well together and foster positivity within the room, so when we established what makes up who we are as well as regaining focus on basics to how success happens quickly sprung forward in third. So we must continue doing that.” “The Islanders are taking shape as an identity that fits. While not fully developed yet, a more challenging team to play against has come into focus as injuries mount up. Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson said, “Really proud of how hard everyone worked together despite setbacks to find ways around things and overcome difficulties together. We found a solution.” “Our group has shown resilience time after time. Roy asserted, “People shouldn’t feel sorry for themselves; rather we should feel proud and confident of who we are.” On a team level, the Islanders power play has not fared particularly well over their last three games – going 2-for-14 over that stretch – yet two crucial goals from Palmieri against Buffalo and Holmstrom against Pittsburgh have proven vital, with Palmieri scoring two against Buffalo to give his team a two goal advantage and Holmstrom’s against Penguins cutting their deficit down by one goal in third period action. Allowing shorthanded goals against Rangers ultimately cost them, along with going 0-for-5 overall; so let us not assume everything has improved – not even close! “Next up for the Islanders is Thursday’s match-up against Ottawa Senators (6-6-0). Without Romanov and Reilly on hand and Barzal, Duclair, and Pelech not in close proximity of returning yet again, pesky will need to be the word as they try and build upon one of their more impressive victories of this season.”