Cory Wright of the Islanders website,
The Isles have won three straight games, all against playoff teams in Dallas, Detroit and Boston with two of those wins – a 5-3 victory over Detroit and a 5-1 triumph over Boston – coming in regulation. With the Isles improving their game under Head Coach Patrick Roy, whose line shuffling was a catalyst for the three-game run, Lamoriello feels like his group deserves a chance to make a playoff push, rather than sell-off at Friday’s deadline.
“They're playing where they're capable of playing right now,” Lamoriello said. “We'll have to continue that. As far as adding, if you can, you do. Are we thinking of subtracting? Absolutely not.”
The Islanders were pleased to hear that Lamoriello isn’t planning on pawning off players, but effectively endorsed the current group.
“The last three games especially have shown [Lamoriello] and even proved in our locker room that we're good squad in here,” Mathew Barzal said. “It's been some ups and downs here, but it's all about finding your groove at the right time. And seems like we're playing our best hockey right now.”
The Isles (66 points) currently sit six points out of a playoff spot, chasing both the Philadelphia Flyers (72 points) for third place in the Metro Division, as well as the Tampa Bay Lightning (72 points) for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Isles hold three games in hand on both teams and will meet both the Lightning and Flyers once more each this season.
I went last night. Surrounded by a small group of St. Louis fans - who were really good guys! Lots of opportunity for hockey tourism for visiting team fans - STL played at Phila Monday, on the Island on Tue, in NJ on Thursday and a rare Saturday Night game at West 33rd Street - home of Les Ragitants - These guys were going to all the games, and I love to hear the stories because I like to go to different venues myself for NHL and MLB (making my Oakland pilgrimage this summer while I still can)
About the game - Cory Wright is a very good guy, but works for the team. Ethan Sears and Andrew Gross cover it more down the line like Kevin Kurz did before he got his beat switched on the Athletic. STL was on the back end of a back to back starting their backup goalie. Kind of like a "scheduled loss" for them - before the game anyway - was what I was thinking - and they had spurts where they just didn't have the legs - and a rested Isles team outplayed them by and large. the goalie for STL (Hofer) played very well. But that should not diminish the effort by the Isles. 2 turnovers = 2 ST Louis goals and instead of finding a way to lose......
The November Isles would have totally found a way to give up a late game tying goal and lose in OT - the January Isles would not have recovered from trailing 2-0.
Two weeks ago, I was planning for a June Draft Party tailgating party but now, I think the Isles are on a roll, and the team has really responded to its new coach. His post game interviews are must see TV.
But to my eyes, the team is looking like they have shaken off some of the troubles they had earlier in the year. The zone exits are better under Roy. The zone entries seem better. Putting Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal on the same line is so productive and Kyle Palmieri is on fire. I think they are gunning for that 3rd seed that the Flyers currently own. NYI has 2 games in hand on TB and PHI. With games against SJ, ANA and LA coming up......
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