The Islanders reached the half way point of their six game home stand with an impressive 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team is now 2-0-1 in this run in Brooklyn and 5-1-1 in their last seven contests. Josh Bailey, Nikolay Kulemin, Jason Chimera and Brock Nelson all found the back of the net and Thomas Greiss turned away twenty one of twenty three shots on goal.
The Isles continue to show signs of life under interim Head Coach Doug Weight. The team looks faster, smarter and are playing in the other team’s end. New York struggled through the first ten minutes last night but found their rhythm after that.
The most noticeable difference is the ability to break out of their own zone. The dmen are doing a great job both carrying and dishing out quick and decisive breakout passes. The forwards are doing a better job in the neutral zone. As a result the team looks quicker and the lumbering dump and chase malaise has been less noticeable.
Adam Pelech has to stay in this lineup and needs to remain with Nick Leddy. Pelech compliments Leddy perfectly and you can see the improvement in Leddy’s game. Leddy has ten points and is a plus six in his last ten contests. When Travis Hamonic returns he should be on the second pairing and that is a role that he should excel in. They also need to find room for Ryan Pulock as he continues to unleash howitzer goals in Bridgeport.
The Isles are in a position where they can move a dman for help up front. Despite this good stretch of games this team still needs more talent. Pelech has shown he can play and handle big minutes. Pulock has earned a shot. Scotty Mayfield is fine as an extra dman and AHL All-Star Devon Toews is knocking on the door as well. There is a deal that can be made.
The schedule does not ease up as the Montreal Canadiens come to Brooklyn tomorrow night. The Habs have been a nightmare matchup for the Isles yet New York needs to find a way to get a point. This team simply cannot afford to lose in regulation if they want to claw back into the playoff race.