Quantcast

Islanders have ‘belief’, how far can it take them?

Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
Bo Horvat Islanders Penguins
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) celebrates after a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

With lines seemingly held together by duct tape and super glue, the Islanders had every excuse to put in an underwhelming effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night at PPG Paints Arena. 

Coming off a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of the NHL-best Boston Bruins just 48 hours prior, they learned Monday morning that one of their top playmakers in Mathew Barzal would miss extended time due to a lower-body injury. It depleted a roster that already was without Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Josh Bailey — not to mention the long-term absences of Oliver Wahlstrom and Cal Clutterbuck.

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK

21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER!

CLAIM NOW
21+ and present in Participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLERBET $5
GET $200
IF YOUR BET WINS!
BET NOW

Yet for the second time in four days, the Islanders came back to shock the Penguins — a team they had been chasing in the standings — 4-2 behind three third-period goals. 

“It shows the character we have in this room to stick with it,” Bo Horvat, who scored the game-tying goal in the third, said. “It was an unbelievable win.”

And it boiled down to the simplest of mindsets.

“Belief,” Horvat said. “We’ve done it before and we could do it again.”

Such a concept has been hard-pressed to find at times outside of the Islanders locker room this season. First-year head coach Lane Lambert has experienced his fair share of growing pains to get the most out of a roster that had overachieved so often under Barry Trotz. 

The last two months in particular had been a struggle. New York lost of 10 of 11 games before acquiring Horvat from he Canucks, which sparked a four-game win streak to get back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. 

Any good momentum, however, was quickly sapped with a three-game skid against non-playoff Canadian teams with a fearsome trio of games — two against Pittsburgh sandwiching a trip to Boston.

Before overturning that 2-1 third-period deficit on Monday, the Islanders erased a 4-2 hole on Friday night at UBS Arena against the very same Penguins.

Four points out of six certainly isn’t anything to hang your head about under such circumstances.

“Say whatever you want about us,” Islanders captain Anders Lee began, “but we’re going to fight to the end on all of this.”

Islanders Penguins
New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) scores a goal against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

While the Islanders have played four more games than the Penguins, they now hold the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference

Whether or not they can maintain this momentum with a shorthanded roster remains to be seen — and it’s a big ask — but even Lambert could admit that Monday night was their biggest win of the season.

“I think so. It felt like it coming off the ice for sure,” Lambert said. “Toward the end, it was all out commitment…We believe in each other.

“It’s certainly a rewarding win at this stage.”

They’re next test comes in the form of the Winnipeg Jets, the No. 2 team in the Central Division this season, coming off a 4-1 win over the crosstown-rival Rangers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK

21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER!

CLAIM NOW
21+ and present in Participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLERBET $5
GET $200
IF YOUR BET WINS!
BET NOW

For more on the Islanders, visit AMNY.com