The hiring of Patrick Roy paid dividends for the New York Islanders, going from a team whose season seemed lost to a team gearing up for the start of the playoffs.

Since Patrick Roy walked through the doors of Northwell Ice Center on Jan. 20, things changed for the New York Islanders.

Known as a winner, with four Stanley Cup rings over his Hall of Fame career, Roy brought fire and passion to a group that had gone cold. 

He also brought the proper mindset from Day 1. 

“We're looking at the position we are now, and we're all going to agree: It's playoff hockey for the Islanders from now on,” Roy said during his introductory press conference with New York two points back of a wild-card spot at the time. “Every game you play, these are huge points. When you have to catch up with three, four teams in front of you, you can't approach those games like a regular-season games.”

Roy coached this way for the final 36 games of the season, in which the Islanders went 19-12-5 to clinch the third seed in the Metropolitan Division. 

After clinching on Monday night with a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, Roy and his Islanders players spoke about their belief in one other.

"From day one I saw the leadership," Roy said. "I trust them and there's so much experience on this club, and it was nice to come here and be part of that."

Roy made some on-ice adjustments that the players needed to adapt too quickly. He brought a more aggressive style that was very different than what the Islanders were playing under former head coach Lane Lambert.

The Islanders, even with a few bumps in the road, adjusted and began to look more like a complete team with these changes.

"We made some changes in our structure," Roy said. "The guys did a really nice job of embracing that challenge, and they've been playing so good for us."

A head coaching change mid-season can always spark a team. 

Forward Brock Nelson was keen on the team's sustained belief in their abilities, but adding Roy brought on a new focus.

"We were a confident group when we had Lane," Nelson said. "I think a change sometimes, maybe, just gives you a different perspective, a different voice to kind of see it from a different lens, but we always believed in the group that we had.

"When Patrick came in, I think we played some good stretches, and lately, I think it's been a huge key for us.”

Those good stretches include two six-game win streaks, the second one at the most important time of the season.

Roy's leadership helped propel the Islanders to a 7-0-1 record in their last eight games to lock up a playoff berth.

"It's funny how it is because ten games ago, no one really gave us a chance to be part of that playoff picture, and now here we are," Roy said. "We've secured that third seed, and it's nice to see our guys be rewarded for that hard work."

Roy has impacted every player of the team from both leadership and on-ice perspectives. The energy from behind the bench has affected all perspectives, including team captain Anders Lee and the newest member of the roster, rookie Kyle MacLean.

"I think he obviously has a lot to tell us and teach us, and he knew how to push us,” Lee said. “It's the mentality that he has and the energy that he brings," Lee said. "His career speaks for itself."

MacLean only played one game under Lambert – his NHL debut on Jan 19 against the Chicago Blackhawks – so he did not witness what the vibe was like before Roy but understands and appreciates the vibes now.

"I'm sure you guys see it, too, that he's got a lot of passion and energy, and I think we feed off that," MacLean said. He really cares about us and winning as well, and that's contagious. That was a big thing."

"I didn't see much prior to (Roy taking over)," MacLean said. "I kind of only experienced him but definitely noticed that the passion that he brings and the intensity wears off on us as a team."

If the Islanders are to go deep in the playoffs, Roy's most important message of togetherness will be the reason why.

As a longtime Islanders veteran, Matt Martin has played 822 games with the organization and has experienced many ups and downs with tight-knit teams.

"He's just all about togetherness. It's high energy and he just has so much passion behind the bench," Martin said. "He's been great for us, and we're excited. He talks about, like I said, togetherness all the time."

There was a special celebration for clinching a playoff spot in New Jersey. You could hear the players and Roy cheering from the locker room before blasting and singing along to “Livin’ on a Prayer” as we walked into the room.

Although a tremendous night for a group that overcame a CVS receipt of issues, the players and Roy know their hard work is far from over.

"It was nice to embrace with him after that one," Martin said. "We'll enjoy tonight, and now we get ready for the Hurricanes or Rangers (the Rangers game had not yet concluded).”

The Islanders will play the Hurricanes in the first round for the second straight season. Roy believes in his group and knows what it's like to win by proving the doubters wrong.

"From my past experience, everything is possible," Roy said. "Nobody gave us a chance in Montreal in 86’ or 93’, and we just played one game at a time, and we didn’t look more than that."

When Roy speaks, he has everyone's attention. His expertise and status in the game of hockey have everyone striving to improve, and is always oozing with motivation to win games.

"The knowledge that he has of the game and the way he gets us every night in a position and opportunity to win…we're very prepared," Lee said. "It's just been a kind of transition that's worked out and we've taken everything that he has and tried to implement into our games and continue to be a better hockey team."

The Islanders close out their season tonight with a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena.

They are set to start their first-round series against the Hurricanes this weekend.

With Roy behind the bench, his impact will continue to be important throughout the playoffs as the Islanders look to make their mark against all odds. 

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