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    Stefen Rosner
    Stefen Rosner
    Mar 11, 2024, 16:49

    Even after a 6-1 routing of the Anaheim Ducks, the New York Islanders weren't satisfied, showcasing more of that accountability we have seen since Patrick Roy walked through the doors.

    Even after a 6-1 routing of the Anaheim Ducks, the New York Islanders weren't satisfied, showcasing more of that accountability we have seen since Patrick Roy walked through the doors.

    ANAHEIM, CA -- The New York Islanders have all the confidence in the world after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 6-1 for a sixth-straight win.

    While the two points were monumental to get New York back in a playoff spot for the first time since Jan. 13, the group wasn't satisfied with the win. 

    "I don't think that was our best effort tonight. I think we showed up in the third period and made sure that we got it done," Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck said. "I think we were opportunistic in the first and I don't think the second was very good, but when we had our chance to put it away we did."

    As of late, whether it be wins or losses, we've seen a shift in accountability, something that seemed to be lacking before Patrick Roy's arrival.

    Coming in as an outside voice, he brought accountability from his first post-practice press conference, where he listed every category in which the Islanders were struggling.

    The players immediately bought in, and since Jan. 21, more players have been vocal. 

    Everyone has raised their accountability level, even if wins were the result.

    "I think you have to have some self-awareness as an individual and as a team in this game," Clutterbuck said. "If you try to kid yourselves, the results will humble you quickly. So, I think it's important to know where you're at and to realize what gives you success, and while you're having success, to make sure that you stay on that."

    Forward Kyle Palmieri agreed with Clutterbuck about the second period, where they were outshot 10-6. 

    "The second got a little sloppy. I think we knew they were going to come out after that first period and and try to make it a game," Palmieri said. "I think it's one of those things that as much as you want a perfect effort, sometimes it's not going to be there but Varly held the fort. 

    "We batten down the hatches when we had to and scrummed the puck out and got out of bad situations and sometimes the recipe isn't gonna be perfect and you got to make adjustments on the fly."

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    Roy's preached the importance of a battle mentality, that one shift doesn't have to turn into a bad period or a bad game. The Islanders haven't been perfect with that concept, but on this win streak, they haven't let a bad shift or a bad period dictate the results. 

    "I think we're just looking forward to that next shift," Palmieri said. "Each line has a chance to turn the momentum of the game."

    For a team on a six-game heater, outscoring their opponents 30-11, what else is there to do?

    "I really think it's doing the right things. And the more often you do that and respect the way the game has to be played and the way we have to play it in this room, it's going to build on the next game," Palmieri said. "And we know that that can't change and can't waver in order to give yourself a chance to win in this league."

    Roy was proud to hear his players show that accountability. 

    "That made me very happy, seeing them talking to you guys saying that we need to be a little bit better in the second period. It makes me proud of them," Roy said. "I mean, that's exactly what I want to see from our guys. I mean, every day we try to be better and that's a very good example."

    The newer bench boss wouldn't comment on the club's accountability before he arrived, but credits his players for the mindset, not himself.

    "I can't compare to what was before because I don't have no idea but I mean, that's the way I see the game and I'm very, very fortunate that the guys are buying in to what we're trying to do," Roy said. "And there's a lot of respect from my side and their side. So I mean, the objective of our team is to win games and take them one at a time and, and stay with the process, and that's the most important thing."

    The Islanders are back in action Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings, with puck drop at 10:30 PM ET. 

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