New York Islanders
Barzal: ‘I Think It Just Comes Down To Pride’
This week, the New York Islanders played two games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and recorded two wins, four points to leapfrog them in the standings.
But at this point in the season, it was a jump that did not mean much regarding playoff chances as the Islanders still sit 15 points behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild-card spot in the East.
However, that does not mean the New York Islanders are throwing in the towel.
“I think our main focus is to keep climbing,” New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock said. “Keep trying to keep winning games. Keep trying to finish as high as you can. And that’s kind of our mindset right now. So obviously, they were ahead of us, and two big wins.”
Although the ability to find a way into the playoffs after the hectic season would honestly be a miracle, there is still meaning in finishing as high as possible.
“I think it just comes down to pride,” New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said. “We’re professionals here, and at the end of the day, we’re building towards something that’s bigger than, you know, catching Columbus. We’re building towards winning a Stanley Cup and, you know, whenever that time comes, whenever we get that opportunity, we’re just trying to be ready for it.”
Back on Tuesday, after the Islanders beat the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Barzal told the media that the goal was to catch Columbus in the standings and that “fans pay money to come watch us play…,” an important line given the support of the fanbase this season despite the results.
Since becoming the bench boss of the New York Islanders back in 2018, Barry Trotz’s message has always been small picture: win a shift, win a period, win a game.
Although it took until the last few months of the season, the Islanders are playing the way he wants them to play, and those wins are coming at a higher rate.
“Let’s just, you know, worry about…sort of…win the day. But also, there’s a group of men who want to just play good hockey,” Trotz said after Thursday’s win. “The start put us in a tremendous hole, and so we just want to play well and find out that everybody’s contributing, which leads to more success.
“There’s no quit in the group there. There hasn’t been all year.”
The Islanders went 10-6-1 in March, and although there were some big-time losses in there to the elite teams like Colorado, Boston, and Tampa, overall, it was a month that showed that this team, although in need of a few upgrades, is not a lost cause.
And that’s why New York Islanders general manager stood pat at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. He believes in the core and believes that this group should not be torn apart just yet. Instead of making trades, he decided to sign veterans Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise to extensions, further showing where Lamoriello stands.
Some players are fighting to show management that they deserve to be on the island next season. Others are fighting for bigger roles next season. So, these games mean a whole lot.
The work, experience, and growth from now until the end of the season will be crucial for confidence and reassurance heading into the 2022-23 season.