New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) scores the winning goal past Dallas Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood, left, during overtime of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Patrick Roy is chipping away at some of the institutions that made the New York Islanders a defense-first team — but also made the brand of hockey they put forth bland and unsustainable with the roster they currently have.
Lane Lambert was unable to upkeep Barry Trotz’s system in his two years at the helm of the Islanders. A team whose defense was the backbone of two consecutive Stanley Cup semifinal appearances sagged last year before becoming a liability in 2023-24. Defenders were afraid to leave the net front while clears were at times too safe and predictable — allowing the opposition to stack up the boards or put the right amount of pressure to coax innumerous turnovers. It’s a key factor as to why the Islanders have yielded the second-most shots in the NHL this season while having the 10th-worst goals-allowed-per-game mark.
Lambert was shown the door and now, Roy is taking the shackles off.
Creativity is now being encouraged, allowing players to express themselves through their play more on the ice. A free-flowing game eliminates some of the uncertainties that come with a rigid system that ultimately stifles an offense.
“He allows you to have that freedom, especially in the offensive zone,” star center Bo Horvat told amNewYork. “I find that the defense can be a little bit more aggressive with the play a little bit more, which has been great for us forwards to keep the puck in and to sustain a little bit of zone pressure.”
Defenders are now encouraged to get up and join the play to create gaps in transitional play or be aggressive in the offensive zone by pinching in to keep the Islanders on the attacking front foot. Skilled forwards will get the green light to dip into their bag of tricks more often to generate…
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