Islanders Brock Nelson Shares Why Final Preseason Game Matters
New York Islanders Brock Nelson spoke following an optional morning skate about why Friday's preseason finale does, in fact, matter.
The NHL preseason doesn't count, but it allows NHL players to get back into the swing of things ahead of the regular season while also allowing prospects to garner beneficial experience.
The New York Islanders have yet to ice their expected NHL roster through five preseason games.
On Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers full NHL squad, head coach Lane Lambert went with a mix of veterans and NHL prospects in what was an ugly performance, losing 5-2.
The expectation for Friday night's preseason finale is that the Islanders will ice their expected NHL club, which could include Kyle Palmieri, who has yet to play in a preseason game.
So why does Friday night matter more than, let's say, Thursday or the previous preseason games?
"You don't want to sit with this one for a week," Islanders Brock Nelson said about winning Friday to finish off the preseason. "It's the last one, last opportunity to kind of hone things in before opening night, so we want to be as sharp as we can getting ready for the opener."
Nelson mentioned getting faster, and that's something upper management addressed last season and this summer, bringing in players like Bo Horvat, Pierre Engvall, and Julien Gauthier.
The Hockey News asked Nelson if he can feel, on the ice, that this team is faster than last year's.
"I think that's always a focus, trying to attack as quick as you can," Nelson said. Reading the play sometimes, that's just as simple as a straight defensive zone pass and up, quick up play. Sometimes, it might be a defenseman to a defenseman pass to the middle, depending upon the other team's structure and what have you.
"But yeah, I think that's an emphasis for sure is trying to utilize that [speed] to get it on the offense and not allow teams to set up and dictate through the middle."
The power play was terrible last year, and everyone is well aware. That's also something that Nelson feels is important to get right tonight in any aspect possible, whether that be zone entries or shooting lanes.
"It's a hot topic," Nelson said. "Obviously, everyone's looking for a certain recipe that's gonna say that this is what it's gonna take, but every night, you want to go out there and try and contribute. And then there's some nights where you might only have one power play, but you want it to be effective and generate.
So, whatever happens, tonight is another big night in terms of all areas, try to hone things a bit and be sharp, feeling good for the opener.