Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Kraken was one to forget for the Islanders. But they are hoping that on both special teams, it was the start of something.
For the first time in six games, the Isles turned in a perfect night on the penalty-kill, including a four-on-three kill in overtime before losing in a shootout. And they scored their lone goal on the power play — one of just five successful tries at five-on-four in their past 33 attempts.
“Our [penalty-kill] structure was good,” Patrick Roy said after Saturday’s practice. “It was on the forecheck, triggers that we gave up most of the goals. I’m sure fixing that, I think we can build around that. I do believe we can build around it.”
Upon returning to play Sunday after a four-day break, the Islanders will quickly get tested, with the Rangers boasting top-five power-play and penalty-kill units. For most of the year, the Islanders have at least been able to somewhat balance their struggling PK with a strong power play, but the latter has fallen off over the past month.
Kyle Palmieri’s goal from the crease on Tuesday, they hope, can be the start of fixing that.
“I’m more a believer that it’s nice to have a 1-3-1 [setup], but at some point, the 1-3-1 is a little static,” Roy said earlier this week. “I want us to be more moving, more action. So give and go, walk in, go out, slide and go backdoor. But it’s a different mentality, takes a bit of time. But I thought [Tuesday] we moved that fairly well.
“Could we have more movement? It depends also what kind of PK you’re playing against. If it’s a static PK, it’s easier to move. If it’s a very aggressive PK, then it’s tougher. So even shorter passes quickly get in the holes. So more moving. But hey, we’re getting there.”
After missing a pair of practices earlier this week, Mathew Barzal was a full participant for the second straight day on Saturday. He told The Post he feels good ahead of Sunday’s game.
Roy continued to describe Hudson Fasching as day-to-day, declining to say whether he would be available against the Rangers.
With his 10th loss this season in overtime or a shootout Tuesday against Seattle, Ilya Sorokin set a new club record for the Islanders, beating out Rick DiPietro’s mark of nine in 2006-07.