New York Islanders veterans determined to prove the skeptics wrong

The New York Islanders weren’t expected to compete for the postseason, but don’t tell that to the team’s veterans, who are determined to prove the skeptics wrong.

Johnny Boychuk wasn’t mincing words when he told Arthur Staple of The Athletic prior to the season that the New York Islanders would be competitive in 2018-19.

“I’ve already seen people pegging us as being in the bottom. That’s just a slap in the face when I see it,” he told Staple. “Our team is really good. I think we’re going to show them that we are a good team.”

Just one-third of the way into the season, the Islanders are proving that they are playing with a chip on their shoulders — regardless of how they fare the rest of the…