Statistics are starting to reflect the changes new coach Patrick Roy is trying to implement with the Islanders. They are possessing the puck more in the offensive zone, thereby creating more shots on net.
But turnovers are still hindering the Islanders. They entered Saturday night’s match against the Panthers at UBS Arena — Roy’s fourth behind the bench and the Islanders’ last before their eight-day All-Star break — having lost two straight. That included Thursday’s 4-3 defeat in Montreal as two avoidable turnovers by Pierre Engvall led to the Canadiens’ second and fourth goals.
“Pierre is going to be fine,” Roy said. “He’s a very good hockey player. Today it was just good that we have those conversations. I explained to guys, I explained to Pierre. He knows exactly what I thought. He’s an important player on our team. Sometimes, it’s just, ‘OK, we need a little more from you.’ And I know I’m going to get more from him.”
Roy ran an intensive, high-energy, teaching-heavy morning skate on Saturday focusing on breakouts, specifically how the Islanders should be navigating through the neutral zone. It was the next step in the building process of installing his overall system.
The Islanders took a season-high 46 shots against the Canadiens. This followed their previous season-high of 42 shots in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to visiting Vegas. The Islanders were outshot 43-28 in a 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Stars a week ago in Roy’s debut.
“I’m not sure,” center Brock Nelson said when asked why the Islanders have improved their puck possession so quickly. “It’s good on Patty the way he’s explained things. What he sees and what he wants from the guys.”
Top-line right wing Mathew Barzal said the changes are the result of the Islanders now having a more aggressive mindset.
“I feel like, just look at our team,” Barzal said. “Wins-losses is one thing. But, at the end of the day, we’re building a blueprint that is going…
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