OTTAWA, Ontario – Barry Trotz pointed to his forehead.
“When you’re really sharp, it’s not really the legs, it’s right here,” the Islanders coach said.
And there’s no doubt the Islanders have been struggling over the last two games with their mental focus as much as they’ve been ravaged by a stomach virus and now a likely injury to their No. 1 goalie. They conclude a home-and-home series with the NHL-worst Senators on Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre after ending a disappointing 2-3-0 homestand with Tuesday night’s 5-4 shootout win as the Senators overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period.