The NY Islanders enjoyed the break but are focused on what comes next

The New York Islanders appreciated the break. They just didn’t waste a second of it.

After two weeks away from game action during the Olympic pause, the Islanders were back on the ice Tuesday afternoon at Northwell Health Ice Center — and they looked like a team eager to get moving again.

Patrick Roy knows what’s in front of them: 24 games, a tight Metropolitan Division race and no margin for drift. His challenge between now and Feb. 26 in Montreal isn’t motivation — it’s making sure seven practices before the Canadiens don’t grow stale.

“I think the situation we’re in will do it by itself,” Roy said via Newsday. “I think we’re all excited to enter into that last stretch. We’re looking at the standings where we are and we know there’s going to be a lot of good hockey to be played. So I think that will motivate us.”

The Islanders (31-22-5) entered the break having won five of seven and sit third in the Metro, one point behind Pittsburgh and four ahead of Columbus and Washington. Every practice matters now.

Tuesday’s session leaned heavily on conditioning and skill work, run by the support staff while Roy and his assistants observed. Bo Horvat (Canada) and Ondrej Palat (Czechia) remained overseas, but the rest of the roster hit the ice with energy — finishing with a spirited four-on-four scrimmage to keep things competitive.

Mathew Barzal said the room felt alive again.

“I took a moment when we got back,” Barzal said. “You could hear laughs and people chattering in the lounge so everyone was excited to get back… It’s nice to see everybody.”

The rest was welcomed. The reset was needed. But the Islanders didn’t linger in vacation mode.

Roy’s focus now turns to structure, conditioning and keeping the edge sharp. The runway to the playoffs has begun — and the Islanders are sprinting toward it.