Andrew Gross: Islanders' depth key element of comeback win over Panthers
The Islanders' Casey Cizikas celebrates his second-period goal against the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena on Saturday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Islanders still are no sure thing when it comes to qualifying for the postseason.
MoneyPuck.com calculated their chances at a decent-but-not-great 66.4% even after Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Panthers that lifted them into second place in the Metropolitan Division as the Penguins and Blue Jackets — both of whom have played one fewer game — lost at home.
But it is 100% certain that for the Islanders to secure a playoff spot, they will need the depth scoring and the impactful play they received from the fourth line in rallying from the two-goal deficit they faced after the opening period.
The Islanders resembled more than just a playoff contender in the final 40 minutes. They looked like a team with a deep roster that can be successful in the postseason.
Ten players recorded at least one point in a game in which leading goal-scorer Bo Horvat and assist leader Mathew Barzal did not notch a point even though the former took four shots and the latter had a combined nine chances.
“Yeah, that’s great,” Horvat, whose point streak was snapped at five games, said of the spread-out scoring. “Those guys that weren’t getting that before, it was coming. They were working so hard and getting their opportunities. It was just a matter of it going in. You need that down the stretch here, secondary scoring and guys stepping up in different ways. Everybody played really well.”
Coach Patrick Roy called it “Islanders hockey.”
“I think that’s what it’s been for us all year,” Roy said. “Everybody’s been chipping in. It’s not just one guy. The way we’re playing, it’s a team concept and everybody’s participating.”
The current and best iteration of the fourth line — Casey Cizikas between Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb — has played repeated shifts up the ice, establishing a contagious energy and a forecheck. But before Saturday, they had not capitalized on the scoring chances they created for themselves.
Cizikas, who capped the Islanders’ five-goal second period, scored his first goal in seven games and his second in 17 games. Gatcomb got his first goal in 37 games dating to Dec. 9.
“We were joking the last couple of days, saying that we’re right there. We’re close. A couple of crazy saves on Macker [Kyle MacLean],” said the freshly shorn Gatcomb (the Islanders are 2-0-0 since he got buzzed). “It’s good to get rewarded . . . We’re trying to do anything we can to contribute. We might not always be on the scoresheet. It might not always be the prettiest. It’s good to see them go in, and down the stretch, we know that’s huge.”
MacLean’s last goal came on Jan. 13, 24 games ago.
“I think that’s when we’re at our best, when everybody is going, everybody’s pressing,” MacLean said.
And if the Islanders’ best fourth line — and absolutely the one Roy will use in the playoffs if the Islanders make it — is composed of those three, then the other three lines Roy has constructed also look playoff-ready.
Anders Lee is using his power forward strength along the walls and behind the crease to work well with Horvat and Emil Heineman. Lee displayed exactly those skills to get the puck to a free Heineman for the Islanders’ fourth goal.
Barzal’s skating and playmaking vision has worked well with Brayden Schenn and Cal Ritchie on the second line. Schenn had his first multi-point outing as an Islander since being acquired from the Blues on March 6 with a goal and two assists.
Simon Holmstrom’s chemistry with third-line center Jean-Gabriel Pageau might be the best on the team, though left wing Ondrej Palat’s point drought reached 13 games.
If there’s a tweak to be made, it might be Roy inserting Anthony Duclair, out of the lineup for the fourth straight game, for Palat.
“I like the way they are shaping up,” Roy said of his forward trios. “I feel like on every line we have some physicality and on every line we’ve got guys that play a good, solid 200-foot game. I feel like there’s a good chemistry out there.”
The Islanders need all of this to be on display again on Monday night against the Penguins at UBS Arena in a game with huge playoff implications.
Qualifying is no sure thing. But the Islanders’ depth certainly looked the part of a playoff team on Saturday.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
