New York Islanders Takeaways from Loss to Colorado

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Jan 6, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) attempts a shot on goal in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Power Play Went 1/4

That’s right the New York Islanders powerplay looked good. Albeit it was on a 5-on-3, but a power play’s a power play and the Islanders capitalized on it.

Considering that the power play has been floundering at 15.2% this year, good enough for 24th in the league, a 25% efficiency is fantastic.

Rather than rely on the now common practice of using four forwards and a single defenceman on the powerplay, the Islanders put two defencemen on the ice. And not just any defencemen. They paired Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk.

They paired Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk, and it paid off immediately with a wonderfully worked team goal finished off by Boychuk.

Boy oh Boy! pic.twitter.com/cEpOT4VgvS
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) January 7, 2017

The GiF doesn’t show the entire movement, but that puck was cycled around enough times to get the Colorado defenders to collapse inwards enough to give Boychuk enough space to get that shot off.

As an Isles fan, it’s great to be able to utter the words: “well-worked power play” this season. To bad none of that magic was able to sprinkle itself onto the other three man-advantages the Islanders had throughout the game.