The Islanders’ fast start can be attributed to a series of positive developments, from the inspiring play of budding superstar John Tavares to standout goaltending of veteran Evgeni Nabokov and the diversity and depth of the team’s offensive production.
Or, the Isles’ 4-2-1 start can be succinctly broken down this way: brilliant special teams.
The Islanders are first in the NHL on the power play and second on the penalty kill, each surprising considering they were near the bottom in both categories a year ago, don’t have a go-to point man on the man advantage and have struggled in their own end at full strength.
“We’re really concentrating on converging to the net and getting pucks to the net,” coach Jack Capuano said of his team’s potent power play. “Goalies are going to make the first save 90 percent of the time. We want to make sure we’re there for second and third opportunities.”
The Devils, meanwhile, enter today’s rematch at the Coliseum in the throws of a skid after such a fast start. New Jersey is just 0-1-3 in its past four and is expected to go with backup Johan Hedberg after yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
Tavares and Co. have been lights out lately in both the power play and penalty kill, and Thursday’s dramatic, 5-4 overtime win was the best example.
At even strength, the Devils had a 4-2 advantage, but the Islanders were 3-of-4 when up a man and Brad Boyes got the game-winner in overtime, getting to a loose puck in front of the goal. They also killed off all five of their own penalties, handling the Devils’ many potent weapons. New Jersey did have plenty of chances, but Nabokov was at his best on the penalty kill, making six saves on the Devils’ final power play.
“Your goalie is your best penalty-killer,” Capuano said.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t cause for concern. The Islanders have struggled in their own zone at even strength, which suggests issues along their back line.
Nabokov has a mediocre 3.14 goals-against-average , but a solid .906 save percentage. The group could be bolstered soon by the return of Lubomir Visnovsky, who was in Europe during the lockout and has yet to return.
Furthermore, expecting the Islanders to continue to make the opposition pay for their trangressions at such a high rate — a 37.5 percent clip — most likely is unrealistic.
The Islanders’ power play, however, could be sustainable, considering the unit hasn’t been scoring a ton of fluky goals. Its success has been the product of puck movement, smart and decisive decisions and winning battles along the boards and in front of the net that have created multiple opportunities. And while they may not have a burner to gain the zone, the Islanders have several skilled playmakers capable of doing so.
“It’s understanding our game and how we need to play” Tavares said. “We’re a tough team to play against.”