Islanders could have cracked code to beat Avalanche

The New York Islanders handed the Colorado Avalanche their second regulation loss this season. The feat is no coincidence. The first time the Isles played Colorado was back on November 16 at Ball Arena. The 4-1 score hid just how close the game was. The Islanders were down 2-1 heading into the final minute. An empty-netter and a fluke goal by Brock Nelson made the score somewhat bulky.

But Thursday night’s 6-3 win told the story of how the Islanders could have cracked the code to beat the Colorado Avalanche this season. The Avalanche’s historic run this season has been predicated on numerous factors.

First, Colorado, as much of an offensive powerhouse as they are, plays a sound, structured defensive game. Everyone gets back into plays. They avoid turnovers and hold the puck as much as possible. When opponents beat them, the goalies bail them out.

That’s how they’ve been able to survive games against tougher opponents. When opponents can’t keep up with the high-flying exploits of Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, they get blown out.

That didn’t happen against the Islanders. The Isles attacked the Avalanche with hard forechecking. They created plenty of traffic in front of the net, and they took something away from Colorado: Point shots.

The Avalanche blueliners take an insane amount of point shots. That’s why they got Brent Burns over the summer. Sam Malinski actually made the Isles pay by taking a point shot that deflected off Valeri Nichushkin.

Here’s a look at that goal as shown on the Avalanche’s official X channel:

Those point shots get through more often than not. Big bodies like Nichushkin can scoop them up. Well, the Isles did a good job of minimizing those.

But there was something else the Islanders did right. They created enough mayhem to disrupt the Avalanche’s breakouts and solid defensive scheme.

Bo Horvat’s goal was a good example of that. Here’s a look, as seen on the Islanders’ X feed:

The play started with a turnover in the Isles’ end. Matthew Schaefer took the wheel. The Avalanche held the zone as they usually do. The replay showed four Islanders going to the net. That created just enough madness to disrupt the Avalanche’s coverage. Then, Schaefer made a fantastic turnaround shot that led to a rebound.

Now, here’s the crucial bit: Because the Islanders’ play got the Avalanche defenders out of position, Horvat was alone at the side of the net. Colorado goalie MacKenzie Blackwood made two stops, but the third went to Horvat, who didn’t miss.

The Isles opened up a 4-0 lead and then took their foot off the gas. That allowed Colorado to get back into the game. But Mathew Barzal’s highlight-reel goal restored the three-goal lead.

All told, Thursday night’s performance by the Isles could have put the NHL on notice. The Islanders may have cracked the code to beat the Colorado Avalanche. Other teams had better take note.

As for the Islanders, they continue to show they’re the real deal this season. Patrick Roy should be in the running for the Jack Adams.