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New York Islanders 3 Takeaways from First Preseason Game of 2019

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 29: Josh Ho-Sang #26 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Josh Ho-Sang Still Doing His Thing

Josh Ho-Sang was everything you’d expect him to be. He was constantly creating offense, finding teammates in good spots on the ice, and just generally making good decisions offensively.

He was constantly finding Anthony Beauvillier in good positions.

(To be fair, he looked perfectly good defensively as well. I can’t remember any turnovers or giveaways in the game.)

I know I shouldn’t have been worried about Ho-Sang’s offensive game, but going into training camp there was a nagging thought in my head about Ho-Sang. What if he focuses on his defense too much? What if his offensive skills take a significant hit?

That would be the worst-case scenario for Josh Ho-Sang; overcompensating.

Yes, Ho-Sang still needs to show the New York Islanders that he can play defense, or that he won’t be a liability in the defensive zone. But he doesn’t need to become Casey Cizikas. He just needs fewer defensive mistakes. He just needs to be a bit more accountable and responsible defensively.

Josh Ho-Sang is an offensively talented player, that cannot be significantly diminished for the sake of defense. And I’m sure the Islanders coaching and management staff already know that.

This training camp, Josh Ho-Sang has to show the New York Islanders that he has made improvements to his defensive game while maintaining his offensive abilities.

Takeaway: Tonight against the Flyers, Josh Ho-sang showed that he can be that offensive threat the Islanders might be looking for.

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