Finishing strong has become part of the NY Islanders DNA this season

For the New York Islanders, comebacks are no longer surprises. They’re identity.

Sunday’s win marked their fifth straight — the first time they’ve reached that mark this season — and their 35th victory overall, matching last year’s total. But it’s how they’re doing it that defines this stretch. The Islanders have become just the 10th team in NHL history to win three consecutive games after trailing by multiple goals in each.

That isn’t luck. It’s DNA.

“I think the plan was — and it’s almost like you plant a seed and then you let it grow,” head coach Patrick Roy said. “We talk about joy, we talk about compassion, we talk about being bold. We wanted to be bold and play with that swagger and that belief that we could win those games, especially late in the third period.”

That belief is showing up when it matters most. In Columbus, in Montreal, at home — when the Islanders fall behind, their energy seems to rise.

“You look at last night in Columbus — we went into the third period and our energy level went up,” Roy said. “The same thing happened today. Even on a back-to-back, I felt like we maintained that energy level, and that’s pretty impressive.”

It’s more than emotion. It’s discipline.

“We’ve brought our standard to a higher level,” Roy added. “Our habits are very good. And I think that creates our DNA.”

Short shifts. Smart puck management. Relentless push. The Islanders aren’t waiting for games to come to them — they’re taking them back. Then, however, they get even more comfortable going into the third period, the final 20 minutes, and beyond, where they feel most comfortable. The team is now 15-2-3 when tied after two periods; the 15 wins lead the NHL

Five straight wins. Thirty-five total. And a team that no longer panics when trailing — because finishing strong is who they are.