Islanders coach Patrick Roy pushes his team to play a different style
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy talks to the media after the team’s 6-2 win over the Lightning in an NHL game at UBS Arena on Thursday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The renovation work Patrick Roy is doing with the Islanders will be completed this season. The new coach does not believe he’ll have to wait until September’s training camp for next season to fully implement his system.
“It’s step by step,” Roy said. “I really want to make sure I go their speed. Every day we’re adding something.”
The Islanders bring a two-game winning streak into Saturday afternoon’s match against the Flames, the second of three straight at UBS Arena, after Thursday night’s 6-2 win over the Lightning that represented the most complete 60-minute effort of Roy’s six games (3-2-1).
Roy pushed the Islanders (22-17-12) through another teaching-heavy practice on Friday at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Since taking over for the fired Lane Lambert on Jan. 20, Roy has untethered his defensemen from standing at the net and asked them to more aggressively close gaps. He’s switched his defensive zone structure to a man-to-man approach.
“It’s different, but I think everyone likes it,” defenseman Adam Pelech said. “Maybe more responsibility but also a little more free, especially in the defensive zone. As a D corps, we like having the ability to just know who our guy is and go try to eliminate him rather than worry about other stuff.’’
Roy also revamped the neutral-zone forecheck to create more pressure and worked on the transition through center ice.
“I think we could do it all, step by step, obviously,” he said. “We’re getting closer and closer. I like our play defensively. We keep working on our offense. But I saw some puck possession in Toronto [Monday’s 3-2 win] and the game before which I like. I feel we’re a little more poised with the puck. A little more patient. Looking for options. We don’t force plays that are not there.”
The Islanders limited the Lightning to 20 shots and were one goal shy of matching their season high.
They have allowed seven goals in their last three games. Four of those came on the power play, which is why the penalty kill also is on Roy’s to-do list of improvements.
Much of Roy’s teaching comes through one-on-one sessions with the players.
“Who loves to be seen on a negative clip in front of his teammates?” Roy said. “No one likes that. So I prefer to do one-on-one. Is it more work for me? Yeah, it is. But I’m here to work. It’s nice to take the time one-on-one and make sure they do understand exactly what you’re looking for.”
Notes & quotes: Defenseman Alexander Romanov (maintenance) did not practice and Roy said he will be a game-time decision . . . Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (long-term injured reserve/lower body) participated in practice. He has missed 14 games . . . Forward Hudson Fasching (lower body) did not practice and will miss his fourth game . . . Center Brock Nelson was able to practice. He retreated to the Islanders’ room after a hard check from Lightning defenseman Emil Martinsen Lilleberg at 14:05 of the second period but returned for the third period.
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.
