The Islanders are on a four-game win streak, where their 5-on-5 play has been significantly better.
The New York Islanders are heading out west, riding a four-game winning streak in large part to their growth at 5-on-5 under Patrick Roy.
The new bench boss has them singing a different tune, and the results are backing up his systematic changes.
Over these last four wins, the Islanders have outscored their opponents 12-7 at 5-on-5, outshooting their opponents 103-88.
The Islanders started their four-game win streak on Feb. 26 when they went into Dallas and defeated the Stars 3-2 overtime in overtime, thanks to an incredible shift from Mathew Barzal that led to a Bo Horvat game-winner.
In Dallas, the Islanders scored two goals at 5-on-5 and the Stars only notched one goal in that column.
The two Islanders' 5-on-5 goals came from defenseman Ryan Pulock and fourth-line forward Kyle MacLean.
Their expected goals for (xGF) in the category were 2.38, which was slightly above Dallas’ 2.34, per NaturalStatrick.com.
Building on the win in Dallas, the Islanders headed to Detroit for a matchup with Patrick Kane and the Red Wings on Feb. 29.
The Islanders coughed up the lead twice in the third period but ultimately took care of business against a team they are chasing in the standings with a 5-3 win. Pierre Engvall sealed the deal with New York’s first empty net goal of the season.
The Islanders and Red Wings each scored three goals at 5-on-5.
Getting the goals for the Islanders at 5-on-5 were Casey Cizikas, Brock Nelson, and Barzal, whose goal stood as the game-winner.
Once again, the Islanders slightly edged out the Red Wings at Expected 5-on-5 goals, with 1.54 to 1.53.
With some momentum in hand for the Islanders, they returned home to host the dominant Boston Bruins on Saturday night, who had won both previous meetings with them this season.
This game stands as the Islanders' most impressive win thus far of the win streak, with a 5-1 handling of the Bruins.
The Islanders came out firing on all cylinders with a natural hat trick from Kyle Palmieri in just 8:47, with two of those goals coming at 5-on-5 play.
Anders Lee and Nelson both added the other 5-on-5 goals, which gave them four on the night compared to the Bruins’ one.
This time, the Islanders had a bigger lead in the 5-on-5 xGF with 2.15 to 1.49.
The most recent win on the four-game streak for the Islanders came last night against the St. Louis Blues.
The Islanders outplayed the Blues most of the night but managed to fall behind 2-0 in the second period before ultimately scoring four straight goals to earn the come-from-behind 4-2 victory.
At 5-on-5, the Islanders grabbed three goals on the night, with St. Louis scoring two.
Palmieri added to his hot streak by nabbing one of the 5-on-5 goals, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Horvat each getting a 5-on-5 goal as well.
Horvat’s wraparound served as the redemption game-winner after turning the puck over twice to lead to the two Blues goals.
In the 5-on-5 xGF department, the Islanders had a commanding disparity of 3.42 to St. Louis’ 1.17.
During this win streak, the Islanders have upped their 5-on-5 play, leading in goals 12-7 over their opponents.
Additionally, they’ve led in the 5-on-5 xGF category, 9.49 to 6.53.
Seven different Islanders added to the 5-on-5 goal tally over the four games, with Palmieri leading the charge with three of his own.
Only three forwards – Simon Holmstrom, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, haven’t scored a goal at 5-on-5 (or power play), over this win streak.
Here’s a line-by-line summary:
The new-look top line of Nelson, Horvat, and Barzal have been on the ice for four goals to their opponents three.
The veteran second line of Lee, Pageau, and Palmieri have been lethal over the last two games and have been on the ice for five goals to their opponents' two.
One of the more intriguing lines has been Engvall with Cizikas and Holmstrom, who have been on the for two goals and one against.
Lastly, the fourth line, with MacLean flanked by Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, haven't been on the ice for a goal but also haven't seen any enter their net either.
That begs the question, should Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello buy or let Roy's current lineup cook with 21 games to go?