The New York Islanders currently sit 27th overall in the National Hockey League, but it should come as no surprise if the club ends up fighting for a playoff berth.
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Posting an 11-12-6 record, the New York team, which has been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, remains the team having played the fewest number of games since the start of the season, at 29 .
“Everyone knows where we are in the standings,” forward Mathew Barzal said Thursday night, as quoted on the team’s website after a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. We have a lot of games in hand and we have to start winning hockey games.
Returning from a long break of 12 days, the Islanders have just obtained a third consecutive victory by beating the Devils. They previously defeated the Buffalo Sabers on Dec. 30 and the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 1.
Home games
Another point to consider for the Islanders is that they have played 13 consecutive road games to start the campaign before their opener at UBS Arena on November 20. The team will also play nine of its next 10 home games, which could contribute to a rise in the standings.
“It was a challenge for us as a group in the first 20 games of the campaign,” admitted veteran Zach Parisé. Now we are close to having our full roster … We play good hockey and find ways to win. Special teams are doing better and we’re back with a tight style we’re comfortable with. ”
Placed on COVID-19 protocol earlier this week, head coach Barry Trotz is missing from the team, but his assistant Lane Lambert knows the system well.
Meet against the Capitals
It’s important to remember that the Islanders have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the last two playoffs, losing to eventual Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning in both 2020 and in 2021.
If a new participation in the playoffs is far from certain, it is still early to dismiss the Islanders, despite a schedule that promises to be busy by the end of the season. The New York club will also try to obtain a fourth consecutive victory, on Saturday afternoon, by receiving the Washington Capitals. This match will also be presented at 2 p.m. on TVA Sports.