Islanders head coach Patrick Roy has switched the team's structure but what has the team winning is their mindset.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy has switched the team's structure but what has the team winning is their mindset.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- The New York Islanders have won six straight games.
They have outscored their opponents 30-11.
They are back in a playoff spot for the first time since Jan. 13, holding down the second wild-card spot with a game in hand.
They've scored four or more goals in five of their last six games and have erased the Detroit Red Wings' eight-point lead on them in nine games (7-2-0).
The Islanders have gone head to head with consistency all season long, but now they've found that consistent brand of hockey because head coach Patrick Roy has come in and imposed the importance of a true team mentality.
"That's what we've talked about, a team concept," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. Everybody is playing so well for us right now, and it's fun to see everyone buying into what we're trying to do as an organization.
"So, I'm very happy and very proud of the way that everybody is playing right now."
Over the course of this win streak, every single Islander has recorded a point, after fourth-line forward Cal Clutterbuck potted their sixth goal against the Ducks late in the third period on Sunday night, giving each line at least one goal in their 6-1 victory.
The Islanders' new-look top line has led the way offensively, with Brock Nelson leading all players with 10 points (four goals, six assists), Bo Horvat second with nine points (four goals, five assists), and Mathew Barzal at eight points (three goals, five assists).
"Having those three guys together, you can see how well they're playing together now, how well they're reading off each other, the little plays that they make, and they've come a long way and they're more lethal out there right now," Casey Cizikas told The Hockey News.
While it's important, especially down the stretch, to have the top players show up in a push for the playoffs, everyone contributing allows for sustained success.
"We need it,' Clutterbuck said on the balanced scoring. "I think that's the way we're put together and and you know, we need everyone chipping in and, and it's a team game.
"We've always had success when all four and all the defense are going."
The belief in this group has grown, which usually happens when they're wins. This group has always had belief, but it's a different belief now than what we have seen even just a few weeks ago.
"We're believing in each other, we're believing in what we need to accomplish here, and everyone's finding it right now," Cizikas said.
THN asked Cizikas if Roy putting the top players on one line created more accountability for the rest of the lineup to have to step up.
"Everyone's getting different opportunities in different areas of the game, and everyone's getting a chance to play. So, guys are just trying to take advantage of what they're given right now."
The Islanders can make it seven straight wins when they battle the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at 10:30 PM ET.