The Islanders are finally playing with almost their full complement of players and, in coach Barry Trotz’s estimation, have improved both their execution and defensive play.
But the Islanders still haven’t played consistently enough to claw their way back into playoff contention.
"Plain and simple, it’s more consistency," Trotz said. "Know what we’re going to be as a team, night in and night out. If we do that, we’ll have success."
The Islanders faced the Wild on Sunday night at UBS Arena after Saturday’s matinee against the expansion Seattle Kraken was snowed out.
That game will be made up on Wednesday night to conclude a seven-game homestand and send the Islanders into the All-Star break.