SUNRISE, Fla. — One game into a season is way too soon to make definite conclusions about performance trends. But the Islanders know parts of their play must improve for Game No. 2.
"I thought that we didn’t play for each other," coach Barry Trotz said after Friday’s practice at FLA Live Arena, where they will face the Panthers on Saturday night to continue a franchise-record 13-game road trip.
The Islanders lost their season-opener to the Hurricanes, 6-3, on Thursday night as they were plagued by turnovers, unnecessary penalties, loose defensive play and an 0-for-3 power play that treated the blue line like a force field and was outshot 2-0.