Islanders in search of better production from their power play
Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock sets before a face off against the Lightning at Barclays Center on Jan. 13. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Islanders coach Barry Trotz has tried switching personnel, but he knows the real solution to the team’s power-play struggles.
“We just have to work with what we have,” Trotz said “They’ve got to get it done, plain and simple. That’s a part of our game that we need to be better at. It needs to help us win games.”
The Islanders were 0-for-2 with five shots on the power play in their 2-1 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum and are 0-for-22 with the man advantage in the last 10 games.
Rookie defenseman Devon Toews was on the top power-play unit for the second straight game to start, with Nick Leddy shifted to the second unit.
“There’s some games where we get some really good looks,” defenseman Ryan Pulock said. “It’s a matter of sticking with that and being a little more aggressive in front of the net. Get more pucks there.”
The righthanded-shooting Pulock, who is never shy about shooting and who sets up on the left side to be in position for one-timers, has been used on the second unit, although the first unit does not have a player who can shoot as hard as he can from the point.
Trotz said that’s for balance. Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle are righthanded shots on the first unit. Pulock is the only righthanded shot on a second unit with Leddy, Josh Bailey, Valtteri Filppula and Anthony Beauvillier.
Isles files
D Johnny Boychuk (suspected left shoulder injury) missed his second game but skated on his own for the first time. “From the tub to the ice,” Trotz said of Boychuk’s progress . . . The Islanders’ 38 shots were their most since they took 41 in a 4-3 overtime win over the visiting Avalanche on Feb. 9.
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.
