Isles Day to Day: Back After the Break

The New York Islanders were rested and refocused coming out of the NHL's All-Star break, holding an energetic practice at the University of British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday's 3-0 shutout loss to the Seattle Kraken left a bad taste heading into the break but has served as motivation for the Islanders, who are looking to start the unofficial second half off on the right foot.

"It's not all fun and games, it's back to business. We know where we are at and it's not acceptable to be where we're at," Coquitlam, BC, native Mathew Barzal said. "We've been working hard and everyone seems to have their wheels and their focus. We're looking to get off on the right foot tomorrow."
The Islanders have 43 games in 80 days (Feb. 9 to Apr. 29) to finish the season, so the pace will be frantic. The Isles currently sit 17 points back of the Boston Bruins, with four games in hand, for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are 21 points back of the Washington Capitals for the first wild card but have eight games in hand.

To catch the teams they are chasing, the Islanders will need to string a lengthy win, or point, streak together. They've had at least one every year under Head Coach Barry Trotz, with an eight-game point streak in 2018-19, a franchise-record 17-game point streak in 2019-20 and a nine-game winning streak last season.
"I don't know how this whole season is going to end, but I do know that we need to just play as good a game on a consistent basis as we have," Trotz said. "We haven't been consistent enough and that's on the group, that's on me, that's on everybody."
After playing 21 of their last 25 games on home ice, the Islanders are on their first multiple-game trip since their 13-game jaunt to start the season. The team is hoping the road will strengthen the group, fostering a bubble-like mentality.
"Anytime you get a chance to go on the road with the boys it's fun and just a little bit of a different energy," Barzal said. "You're on the road, no distractions, you just have your team and it feels like you're in a mini bubble like we were two years ago. It was fun being at home for a little while, but it's good to get on the road and face some adversity."

PALMIERI ON PATERNITY LEAVE

Kyle Palmieri was absent from practice and will miss Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks after he and his wife had a baby.
Palmieri is expected to join the team in Edmonton.
"Kyle will be joining us I believe in Edmonton," Trotz said. "Family comes first with the Islanders, so we want him to spend a day or two with his wife and his newborn and he'll get out here and resume play."

CZARNIK CLAIMED BY KRAKEN

Austin Czarnik was claimed by the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday afternoon after being placed on waivers by the Islanders on Monday.
Czarnik played 15 games for the Islanders over two seasons after signing as a free agent in October 2020. The 29-year-old center had five points (2G, 3A) in 11 games this season, as well as 15 points (6G, 9A) in 20 games with the Bridgeport Islanders.
"I'm a fan of Austin, has really good hockey sense, I was hoping he'd get through, but at the same time, he's a fantastic young man who I have a lot of appreciation for," Trotz said. "He came in and did an awesome job for us and anytime a player that can get picked up by another team potentially and stay in the NHL I'm all for it. Unfortunately, for us it's a piece that we will miss."