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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
We all know the definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. But what about trying a whole bunch of things over and over and nothing working? That’s been the story of the Islanders power play this season which has driven the coaches, players, and fans … insane.
“You can’t just keep beating a dead horse,” Bo Horvat told Newsday. “If it’s not working, then you’ve got to change something up. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to have to happen now, especially when you have practice time and being able to get used to your new units.”
Tuesday’s shakeup had the team’s most productive line of Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri kept together, with Zach Parise providing net presence and Noah Dobson running things from the point. On the other unit, Ryan Pulock was located on the left wall with Sebastian Aho and Samuel Bolduc rotating as the other D. Anders Lee, JG Pageau, and Bo Horvat were the forward group.
“Power plays are generated to move around,” head coach Lane Lambert said.
No matter how much Lambert has moved around his power play units, the puck movement hasn’t followed, and without Mathew Barzal, the creativity, and ability to maintain possession in the zone have slipped back. The team is 5-for-46 (10.9%) since Barzal’s injury after going 6-for-18 (33.3%) when he was in the lineup with Horvat as the former Canucks position played the “bumper” position with the man advantage where he find space and allow Barzal to find him.
“Guys who play on the power play have to use their instincts as well.,” Lambert added. “It’s not just about, ‘I go to this spot, you go to this spot.’ ”
It’s hard to believe the message is changing drastically at this point of the season. Whatever they’ve tried hasn’t worked, and with just four games remaining, Lambert knows he has to do “something” and that something is hoping that a different mix creates a different result even after hearing the same message.
Coming up, Mathew Barzal skates again, but not at practice, and Alexander Romanov is not ready to get back on the ice. Plus, Rod Brind’Amour is an honest guy, Zach Parise wants to play some more, and Mr. Islander plays his final game.
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