On this day last season, Patrick Roy hit the ice with the New York Islander s for the first time since being named head coach. There wasn't much time for greetings and salutations, as the team was to play a game just hours later when they welcomed the Dallas Stars to town.

The Islanders entered Saturday looking to set a season high with a third straight win. Additional injuries to top-six forward Anthony Duclair and defenseman Adam Pelech that forced them to miss significant time during the season’s first half have played a role in the Islanders’ inconsistency, but that's not the sole reason.

The record isn't what Roy, Lamoriello or others were hoping for, but players still believe in Roy's message and style.

Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1.

Matthew Barzal scored the latest go-ahead goal for the Islanders in 2 ½ seasons and it held up for the winner as Marcus Hogberg made 21 saves for his first NHL win since April 2021 and the Isles defeated Utah HC 2-1 before a sellout crowd of 11,131 at Delta Center.

NY Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello dismissed concerns about losing Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Both players have expiring contracts and could be valuable assets before the March 7 trade deadline. Despite the team’s struggles, Lamoriello said that they aren't thinking about selling players.

Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a ... Nelson skillfully elevated a rolling puck past Georgiev on a pretty feed from Kyle Palmieri. The Islanders improved to 17-4-4 when they score at ...

NEW YORK — Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had ... Nelson skillfully elevated a rolling puck past Georgiev on a pretty feed from Kyle Palmieri. The Islanders improved to 17-4-4 when they ...

Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist for the New York Islanders in a 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena on Saturday. Barclay Goodrow scored for the Sharks (14-28-6),

Result: The Islanders are playing faster hockey (a necessity in the NHL), are breaking the puck out of their defensive zone quickly and cleanly and are able to sustain momentum shift to shift as one group of players can build upon the forecheck or physicality of the players returning to the bench.

THROUGH GAMES OF THURSDAY, JAN. 23, 2025

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.