
Islanders Noah Dobson and the boys are ready to go battle the Rangers at MetLife Stadium.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- Noah Dobson and the rest of his New York Islanders teammates had a long week of practice.
But it was important for them to take advantage of the schedule break in preparation for their outdoor showdown with the New York Rangers on Sunday.
"In terms of practice and reps, it's the most you get all year for sure," Dobson told The Hockey News. "This time of year, you don't get that much practice time. I mean, the hope is that it translates well over to the game.
"I know we had a really good week. We addressed some things that we needed to be better at and I feel like you'll see a hungry group tomorrow for sure."
Head coach Patrick Roy has preached intensity, competition and drive as something that should always be there, even if other things in their game plan falter.
Dobson and the players are buying into that.
"If we bring that intensity that we brought all we can practice every day, every night, then the results will be there," Dobson said. "We're not gonna be perfect every night. But if you have that foundation of your fundamentals, where you compete, bring your intensity, and all that stuff is there every night on a consistent basis, that allows you to clean up a lot of things.
"So I think that's kind of the mindset. I feel like the guys really responded well this week, everyone put their work boots on."
After six straight days on the practice sheet, one coming outdoors at MetLife, Dobson believes he and the boys are ready for the big game.
"It was a good week. I mean, we're here every day with each other. Got good practices in. Obviously, it's a cool experience going on tomorrow. I think the guys all feel ready," Dobson said. "Everyone's excited, and it makes the experience a lot better. If you can find a way to get a big win.
"Obviously, it's an important game for us. The focus now is to get to Jersey and get ready for a big game."