Mathew Barzal and NY Islanders buried their chances against the league's best team

The New York Islanders needed a response after a frustrating stretch of close losses, and according to Mathew Barzal, the team delivered one in a big way. Back-to-back wins over Tampa Bay and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche weren’t just points in the standings — they were a statement about who the Islanders believe they are becoming.

After Thursday’s 6–3 win over Colorado, Barzal said he loved the completeness of the performance. “It felt like a good game over the whole 60 minutes,” he said, noting that playing the league’s top team demanded discipline, urgency and execution. “We hung in there the whole game and buried our chances… something that probably cost us a game or two in the last week.”

That finish — the ability to actually cash in on scoring chances — was the difference. Barzal didn’t think the team played much differently than its recent losses. The puck simply went in this time. “We created great offense the last two weeks… they’re bound to go in,” he said.

Just as important was the Islanders’ defensive commitment in the third period. Colorado pushed, but Barzal said the team stayed tight structurally. “We just played a stingy third,” he said. “Good F3 all night, no odd-man rushes… marking their D that like to get up in the rush.”

The win capped a crucial two-game stretch on home ice. Beating Tampa and Colorado on consecutive nights? That matters. “Anytime Tampa and Colorado come in, those are tough games,” Barzal said. “Good, confident win for us.”

With dads in the building for the annual fathers’ trip, the timing couldn’t have been better. Barzal smiled describing the energy their presence brought: “It’s special… so many car rides growing up, so much time they put in. It’s always a blast to have them here.” Two statement wins. A team trending in the right direction. And for Barzal, genuine belief that the Islanders’ best hockey is starting to show.