Islanders learning on the fly with Patrick Roy
Islanders new head coach Patrick Roy during practice at Northwell Health Ice Center on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Credit: Howard Schnapp
It was Game No. 2 as Islanders coach for Patrick Roy, but perhaps more important, it was his second day of on-ice teaching as he guided the morning skate before Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to Vegas at UBS Arena.
Roy will conduct a full practice for the first time on Wednesday before the Islanders depart for Montreal for a match on Thursday night against the Canadiens.
As a result, the two morning skates under Roy have been much more intense than usual, with drills frequently stopped so the coach can explain what he wants to see.
“I want to go baby steps,” Roy said. “The first thing we want to do is fix the breakout and the defensive zone coverage. But as soon as you start seeing progression, it’s time for us to go to another level. I feel like they’re fast learners.”
The Islanders did have a potential practice day on Monday after winning Roy’s debut, 3-2, in overtime over the Stars on Sunday. But Roy, balancing the players’ need for recovery and family time and after a discussion with captain Anders Lee, opted just for video review.
“It’s a little more learning than what a normal day might be,” defenseman Scott Mayfield said. “But I think that’s important for us.”
Isles files
Roy said the plan is for goaltender Semyon Varlamov, activated off injured reserve on Monday, to make his first start since Jan. 2 in Montreal . . . Roy said he did not have an immediate report on Bo Horvat after the top-line center was bloodied by a puck to the face in the final minute . . . D Mike Reilly drew in for rookie Samuel Bolduc after being a healthy scratch the last two games. But Roy said he expects Bolduc, from Laval, Quebec, to dress against his hometown Canadiens . . . Tuesday was the Islanders’ annual Pride Night.
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.
