The Islanders have recently gotten improved production from their top six forwards and they will need that production to continue to trend upward.
Christmas marked the second day of the NHL’s three-day holiday break. During the down time, Newsday is examining how the Islanders goalies, forwards and defensemen have performed over the first 35 games and how they can improve the rest of the season.
“When we’re at our best, we’ve got a good team work ethic and that goes right through the four lines, the defense and the goaltenders,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “We’re defending well and having some pride in the defensive area of the game.