Islanders need power play to start clicking during desperate push for playoff spot
The Islanders' Adam Pelech celebrates his winning goal in overtime with Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
DETROIT – Yes, Patrick Roy is making some subtle changes with the Islanders’ power play, too.
Because, and stop us if you’ve heard this one, a more efficient man advantage could be a key element in the team’s desperate push for a playoff spot.
The Islanders, just 1 for 15 on the power play over the last four games (2-2-0), face another crucial match against the Red Wings on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Islanders will try to win two in a row coming off Monday night’s 3-2 overtime victory in Dallas, for just the second time since Dec. 13.
“One of those things,” Kyle Palmieri said. “A lot of good looks. Sometimes you’re going to get those bounces and other times you’re not. But I think we’ve been moving it well and executing well so I think we’ve just got to stick to it.”
The Islanders went 0-for-3 on the power play against the Stars, mustering just two shots and failing to open a two-goal lead despite overlapping power plays to start the second period that included 30 seconds of five-on-three.
But Brock Nelson hit the post on an open look from low in the right circle in the second period with the puck not coming off his stick quite the way he wanted. Nelson had a six-on-four power play goal in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Lightning at UBS Arena.
“We had quite a few looks over the last couple of games where we didn’t get one,” Nelson said. “You’d like to see one or two go in, especially when games aren’t going your way. That could change the outcome a bit.”
The Islanders (24-20-14) entered Tuesday with a 6.6% chance of making the playoffs, per MoneyPuck.com., up from 5.7% prior to Monday’s win. Their power play was ranked 15th in the NHL at 22.2% (36 for 162).
Roy has kept his two power-play units essentially the same since taking over for the fired Lane Lambert on Jan. 20. The top unit still has defenseman Noah Dobson up top with Palmieri as the net-front presence, Bo Horvat in the middle and Nelson and Mathew Barzal on the half-walls.
Defenseman Ryan Pulock’s inclusion on the second unit has morphed from him playing on the left half-wall to now being a second blue-line presence with defenseman Mike Reilly as Anders Lee provides a net-front presence with forwards Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Pierre Engvall also below the dots.
Pulock has been more efficient unleashing his booming shot from the blue line rather than from the left circle.
Roy has also given the second unit more ice time than Lambert. It started two of the three power plays against the Stars, though the fact that Horvat, Barzal and Nelson had been on the ice prior to the power play also played a role in those decisions.
“It’s a team game,” Roy said when asked about the second unit. “I believe in the team concept. I like what that power play brings. It’s a different look. It’s shots on net. I’m very comfortable.”
Still, more goals would make Roy and the Islanders more comfortable.
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.
