EXCLUSIVE: Islanders Pierre Engvall Opens Up About His Play So Far & Costly Mistake

Islanders Morning Skate Updates Ahead of Game vs. Capitals EAST MEADOW, NY -- Pierre Engvall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/pierre-engvall-new-york-islanders-32-thoughts-podcast-extension] has been part of the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-anders-lee-samuel-bolduc-engvall] strongest line in the season's early goings, alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. While the goals haven't come, Engvall has been a catalyst for his linemates, transitioning the puck and making plays along the boards to create opportunities. He is second on New York with six assists. But despite the early success of his lines, Engvall made a mistake in the Islanders 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, leading to a one-shift benching after Minnesota's fourth goal. Islanders head coach Lane Lambert decided he wanted to send a message, scratching Engvall up in Boston. The decision backfired on the ice, as the Islanders Nelson line struggled mightily, being outscored 2-0 and heavily outshot 11-4 in a 5-2 loss. Engvall will be back in the lineup against the Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-washington-capitals-semyon-varlamov] on Saturday night and will get a chance to redeem himself. Following Saturday's game, The Hockey News caught up with Engvall to get his thoughts on his performance so far this season and get some insight into the mistake that led to him finding the scratch house. "I think it's been pretty good. I think there's been some games that have been better than others," Engvall told The Hockey News. "And, you want to bring more of that, the [good play] into the next game to play better and build on that. "I think that some games, just, it's not, it's not being the best, but I think, that's how it is. Sometimes, new season, like you have a few games that's not your best, but I think it's about how you bounce back." The mistake Engvall made Tuesday night came right after the Islanders had allowed the go-ahead goal in the third period, with plenty of time to find an equalizer with over 12 minutes to play. After trying to restart a play, circling back into his zone, Engvall tried to feed Anders Lee up the left boards from the Islanders' zone, but the Wild stripped him and made him and New York pay: "I think they shipped it out or so. I was the first guy back," Engvall said. "I think I saw the Lee, and I decided that I wanted to go right up because I think the Wild shifted out. "I wanted to go right back up, and I tried to beat Maroon there, but obviously, he picked it up. It ended up not being the right call, but I think that's how it is. Obviously, I wanted to do better there." After that goal, Engvall didn't hear his name called by Lambert for the next shift but said it wasn't a big deal (or so he thought) as he was right back out there soon after. It bled into the game plan for Boston. Turnovers will happen when you are a player who transitions the puck because the puck is on your stick much more than your teammates. Mathew Barzal is a prime example of that. Engvall said that he is aware that when he's the last forward back, he needs to make a smarter decision. As mentioned, Engvall has yet to find the back of the net on nine shots this season, and while the assists are critical, he knows he needs to find twine. But he also knows that he's got talented linemates, and if there's a play to be made to them, he's going to make it. "I mean, I'm coming into a lot of situations where I felt like I have a good play to make, and when I see a good play, I have a hard time not forcing the shots," Engvall said. "But at the same time, I think sometimes, you got to shoot the puck too because many times you end up surprising the goal if you just rip it off too. "I want to shoot the puck more and obviously score more goals." Engvall may not be the most physical player on the ice, but standing at six-foot-five weighing 219 pounds, he has the frame to crash the net more than he has. There was one play against Minnesota where Engvall beat his man but decided to peel back rather than crash the net. So, we asked him about that very play. "I know which player you're talking about, and I think I had him beat, so I think I can taken it to the net there." Islanders Lane Lambert was asked Saturday morning if he thinks Engvall got the message after sitting Thursday. "We're gonna find out. Pierre is gonna play tonight. When he's in, we want him to use his speed."