Last night’s game wasn’t the best one this iteration of the franchise, led by hustle, grit, goaltending, and Barry Trotz, ever played. It wasn’t even the best of these stretch of home games, though I think the game against the Maple Leafs should be categorized on its own. But it was, absolutely, the game this team needed to play. It was Trotz hockey almost the way he likes it; it wasn’t exactly the way he likes it, though.
And perhaps that’s a good thing. Perhaps the Islanders needed an imperfect game rife with hustle, grit, goaltending, and Barry Trotz, one they can point to as a confidence booster, clamping down on a desperate team, while also emphasizing the importance of smoothing out the creases in their game en route to the playoffs.