Islanders determined not to start a losing streak
Anders Lee #27 of the Islanders tries to play the puck during the third period against Josh Brown #3 of the Arizona Coyotes at UBS Arena on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 in Elmont, New York. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It wasn’t the season-opening 13-game road trip that sunk last season for the Islanders. It was the 11-game losing streak, with the first eight being regulation defeats, from Nov. 7-Dec. 5, 2021, that destroyed their playoff chances.
That’s still very fresh in the Islanders’ minds as they face the Blue Jackets on Saturday night at UBS Arena. They have won seven of nine but are coming off Thursday’s 2-0 loss to the visiting Coyotes.
It marked the second time in four games that the Islanders (9-6-0) had been shut out.
“Every time you lose a game, you need to turn that quick,” Matt Martin said. “We saw last year what happens when you start to lose multiple games in a row. It’s hard to find that confidence again. It’s hard to get out of that rut. We’ve got to be a determined group on Saturday and get a win before we head out on the road.”
The Islanders will open a four-game trip late Monday afternoon in Ottawa. They will play 10 of 15 on the road in November.
The Islanders’ longest losing streak this season is three games from Oct. 20-23. They responded with a five-game winning streak to start their current spurt.
“I think it’s a confidence thing,” defenseman Ryan Pulock said. “There’s a belief in here that we can do it. We know if every individual plays the right way to the structure, we have a chance to win every night. There’s just a solid confidence in here that we’re a good hockey team.”
Last season’s lengthy skid encompassed the last four games of their long road trip to open the season and was fueled by the start of the team’s extensive COVID-19 outbreak, which left them playing some games with a hybrid NHL-AHL roster.
It ruined a promising 5-2-2 start and the excitement of opening UBS Arena.
“When you do lose a game, it’s all about just bouncing back,” defenseman Scott Mayfield said. “That next game is so important. We ran into issues last year with that long streak that we just couldn’t find a win and pull one out. For the most part, we’ve found ways to crawl back into games. Having a veteran team, we know what it takes to be ready each night and it takes that much more after a loss.”
Notes & quotes: Coach Lane Lambert emphasized forechecking and quick passing to facilitate rushes during Friday’s brisk practice at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow . . . C Casey Cizikas practiced after exiting late in the third period on Thursday night, most likely for concussion spotting . . . RW Cal Clutterbuck did not practice. He logged 12:16 against the Coyotes after missing Tuesday night’s road win over the Rangers and exiting after the first period of Monday’s overtime win over the visiting Flames. Clutterbuck said he is dealing with an unspecified injury unrelated to last season’s shoulder surgery that “will be with me through the season.” . . . The Blue Jackets announced that top D Zach Werenski has suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
