The Islanders are a different team since the All-Star break.
The Islanders are a different team since the All-Star break.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders' schedule following the 2024 NHL All-Star break would be a challenge.
Their first game back, after going 1-2-1 in their first week under Patrick Roy, was against the All-Star host Toronto Maple Leafs, a franchise that sent four players to the festivities.
Then the Islanders had to host the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night, who entered the break winners of eight of their last nine games.
Flash-forward to Friday morning, and the Islanders are 2-0-0, allowing just two goals in each game while scoring nine after a 3-2 win over the Leafs on Monday and a 6-2 beatdown of the Bolts.
It's no coincidence why the Islanders have looked their best since their schedule resumed.
They're healthy for the first time since Game 1 of the season, and it's paying dividends.
While having bodies back is critical for any team, getting the Ryan Pulock--Adam Pelech pairing back in the lineup has changed everything for this group.
Over these last two games, the two have been on the ice for three goals at 5-on-5 with just one against in 24:36 TOI.
Pelech seems to have regained his timing, something that seemed off earlier this year, making quick plays that have helped the club transition easily, while Pulock's been the type of defenseman we saw dominate the ice sheet last postseason.
Not only have they both played strong defensively over these last two games, but both have found themselves on the score sheet, with Pulock blasting home a power-play goal on Thursday at a critical moment, extending their lead to 4-2 at 7:10 of the second.
That goal moved Pulock up the franchise rankings, as he now sits fifth all-time in goals amongst defensemen, with 46.
Pelech earned the secondary assist on Bo Horvat's 5-2 tally at 8:18 of the second period after quickly dishing the puck to Mat Barzal before Horvat opened up for a high-slot one-timer.
Before that goal, Pulock quickly fed Pelech with a strong, on-the-money blue-line pass before Pelech hovered around the horseshoe in the offensive zone, opening up the ice even more for the Islanders to make a play.
The ability to welcome back an elite defense pairing is a luxury few teams ever get. Given how Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson played in their collective absences only makes this team better in the long run.
"Seriously, Adam and Ryan, I mean, they're like... wow," Roy said following the win over Tampa. "They're playing against the top lines, and Pulock scored a goal on that one. They're a huge part of our team.
"It was good for Noah and Romanov to have more ice time when they were out. And I think that makes them better hockey players. But, I mean, it's nice to have these two guys. They really do a good job."
The Islanders also welcomed back fourth-line forward Casey Cizikas, the club's energizer bunny, who scored the sixth dagger of the night after a 10-game absence.
When The Hockey News asked Islanders superstar Mathew Barzal about the club's health and what that means for this group, he was honest.
"We're a good team," Barzal said. "It seems like, depth-wise, I think, just having Pulock and Cizikas back, it just feels right. So, I think Pulock has been huge for us in the last two games. Just to see him log in 20 minutes on the ice is gonna be big for us because he's smart, physical, and tough defensively. And yeah, he's a big key to our game."
For the first time in quite some time, the Islanders have been able to run all four lines and all three defense pairings. The Islanders' nine goals over these last two games have come from eight different goal-scorers.
When Roy was asked about the different goal scorers, he couldn't help but interrupt.
"This is that lineup. This is depth," Roy said. "We have so much depth. We have four very good centerman and four very good lines. I mean, three good defense pairings, six good defensemen. Good goaltending. That's depth."
Depth is one thing, but playing like a team is another, and that's what the Islanders have done -- win or lose -- since Roy has taken over.
But these last two wins have been impressive, and the Islanders will need to play that structured, relentless game if they want to keep things rolling as they inch closer and closer to a playoff spot.