3 reasons the NY Islanders defense deserves more credit for recent resurgence

65 blocked shots in the last 6 games.

The '2-on-1' system instituted by Roy is not only designed to prohibit puck movement across the blue line. In every hockey game, both teams will find a scoring opportunity no matter how aggressive the defense is in the neutral zone. The goaltender will have to make saves at some point with the desire to limit breakaway and odd-man rush advantages. To state the obvious, no team will ever play 82 games without scoring a goal or giving one up past the red line.

In best preventing the puck from even reaching the goaltender, the forwards, and defensemen are asked to block passes and shots from the blue line. Regardless of the name on the back of a jersey or the importance to the team, hockey players will take a beating to protect their goaltenders. After blocking a 95 MPH shot, the player is right back on the ice. That is why we love watching every game. The Isles' defensemen have done this in stride, blocking an unfathomable 65 shots from Sorokin and Varlamov. Combined with having one of the best goalie combinations in hockey, the Islanders have only allowed 11 goals in the last 6 games.