What the New York Islanders lack in offensive firepower, they make up for with stout team defence backed by strong goaltending.
Two players the team’s head coach Barry Trotz thinks could have an impact during the best-of-five play-in series against the Florida Panthers are defenceman Adam Pelech and forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Pelech played 38 games in the regular season but none since New Year’s Eve after sustaining an achilles injury, but the 25-year-old is back healthy and ready to contribute.
“I didn’t know much about him when I arrived on the island and he struggled early with his confidence but you could see he’s got a really good hockey IQ, great stick, reads the game really well and he’s one of those guys every team needs who can erase your mistakes,” Trotz said Thursday during an appearance on Hockey Central. “A lot of the time it’s the goaltender but there’s always a great defender who can read off of his partner or situations and find a way to break up plays and he’s one of those guys.
“He’s got a little bit of a bite to his game, got his confidence, and he’s been a really solid top player for us when it comes to defending in key situations.”
The Islanders sent a 2020 conditional first-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional third in 2022 to the Ottawa Senators ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for Pageau who then signed a six-year, $30-million contract extension to stay in Long Island.
“I think with J.P., he came in and fit in with the group really well but the way we played versus maybe his former team was a little different and it took him some time to assimilate,” Trotz said.
Pageau only played seven games with the Islanders before the NHL suspended the season and Trotz thinks the time off plus training camp has helped the centre get more acclimatized to his new team and system.
“He really puts balance at the centre ice position for us,” Trotz added. “He gives us a needed right-handed draw that can play in every situation so he’s fit in just fantastic and he’s just a really good pro. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the playoffs here because he’s always been a very noticeable player when he’s played in the playoffs.”
Pageau’s most recent playoff appearance was in 2017 when he scored eight goals, 10 points and won 54.3 per cent of his faceoffs in 19 games with the Sens.
The Islanders beat their crosstown rival New York Rangers in an exhibition game on Wednesday and Trotz said the empty-venue atmosphere prior to puck drop felt like they were in a TV studio but “once you got on the ice it was a regular hockey game.”
The Islanders begin their series against the Panthers on Saturday. Fans can watch Game 1 on Sportsnet ONE starting at 4 p.m. ET.
[relatedlinks]
