In the Year of Our Bossy 2025, the New York Islanders have officially had 33 power play opportunities which have produced four power play goals. And that’s an improvement.
Recently, with Mat Barzal and Noah Dobson injured, the Isles have had to put together a makeshift unit that has not improved results. But it has arguably improved the threat. Adam Boqvist in particular has added a new dimension, making assertive passes through the interior that the legacy unit has consistently shied away from. They didn’t convert, but they looked better.
It reminds me of something Justin Bourne wrote recently about separating Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, to keep the team from predictably forcing it to its go-to guys.