New York Islanders Practice Availability | (11/06/25)

When you look at the past three games for your team on a point streak, what’s been the key? What’s been working well? Um, you know, I think we’re doing a lot of good things. Um, you know, it starts kind of, you know, I think our goalending has been huge for us. I think, uh, exiting the zone. Um, just making those little plays, kind of coming as a group of five out and, um, you know, then on the for check, we’re getting in there and trying to create chances. Just defensively, what’s been kind of tightening up for your team over the past three games? Um, you know, it’s just the little details. It’s uh you know there’s going to be mistakes and stuff, but make sure those mistakes don’t compound. Um I think we’re taking care of the puck a little bit better, not as many turnovers, stuff like that. So it’s uh it’s been pretty good. Obviously there’s uh still room for improvement. Um you know, last game when you’re up by a goal with, you know, half period left, you want to make sure you uh you close that game out. But um no, there’s still improvements, but uh I think we’re taking a step in the right direction. One more home game until the the long seven game road trip. What’s the mindset for the group? Yeah, we get another one at home. We like playing home. We like playing in front of our fans and you know, then we’re gone for for a couple weeks. So, it’s uh it’s a big one tomorrow and we’re excited for it. Know that Friday is also military appreciation night. I know that has a a connect a connection to you with your brother serving. Just what is that night? What does that initiative mean to you? Yeah, I mean it’s always really important. Um, you know, we get tickets and a lot of military members come to the game, veterans as well as active duty. And, you know, anything we can give back to them. They, uh, they do a lot for us obviously with my brother and my brother-in-law’s in the army, too. So, uh, you know, it’s always special night for me and I, I think about them and what they do and, you know, just very thankful and grateful. Is your brother still serving? Yep, they both still are. Both active. When was the last time you visited them? Um, oh, I I I saw him in Colorado uh, this summer. He’s actually state side for a little bit. So hopefully uh when we get a little time off, but um it’ll be special. He gets to come on the dad’s trip this year, so that’ll be fun. Past three games, what’s been working for your group with the point streak? Uh I think we’ve been playing like a really good 200 ft game to be honest. I think we’re we’re been we’ve been really aggressive out there, too. Winning a lot of pucks. Um and we’ve been shooting a lot more, too. So, uh, yeah, it’s been a we’ve been working really hard and and being aggressive out there and we from that we create a lot of lot of chances. What’s the dynamic like on your new line with Forvat and Barzel in the over the past few games? It’s been good. Um, we like I said that too, we’ve been working really hard. Uh, it’s not like we’re um just accidentally find each other. I think we’re uh like I said, winning a lot of pucks, working really hard and and bringing bringing it to the net. Uh it’s been uh we’ve been having a lot of chance. We could have scored a lot more, too. So, uh but sometimes you you want more, too. So, uh uh we like to keep things going and and get some more wins. You’ve had some established chemistry at Corvette before, but what dynamic does Barcel bring to that line at wing? I mean, he’s a really skilled guy. Obviously, he’s great on the puck, strong on the puck. Um, I mean, he can find the passes and and create a lot on his own, too. So, it’s a he’s a really good player and and uh yeah, he’s bringing a lot. Obviously, he’s a he’s a great player. Contemplating any line changes for No, no change. Um, we like where we’re going. um pleased with with our games and um maybe uh against Boston, we gave maybe too many chances uh at the end of third period because I thought the first 40 minute were really good. Couple chances that we could got some clean up to do but and then PK I think Boogie wants to cut down on chances as well but if we do that I think we’re fine. You know which goalies you’re going to go with this weekend? Yeah, we’re going to go with David tomorrow and Ilia against the Rangers. What do you like about Emil Heinman with Horvat and Barczel? I like his speed. I like his physicality. Um I think he brings that element that that line needs. Um when he goes to the net, I think it open up the game for Barsy and for uh Bo. Um and he’s a good scorer. So I feel like he’s a great fit when it comes to that line having Barzel on the right right wing or left wing just to start. I know obviously in the game. How does how do you decide what side Barzel is going to start on? Well, I think it’s Barz is used to be on the right side, so I mean I think it’s more natural for him and I think Emil could adjust. I mean, European player, they seem to be very comfortable on their off wing. Uh but he’s been playing really well on the on the left side as well. What is it about Horvat and Barzy? Obviously, other than their skills that make them such a good fit together. Well, you saw the play Barzy made for Bo and Bo just put it in on that two on on one on that twoon one. So, I mean, um, they they skate. They both very good skater. They both very high skill guys and they for some reason they they feel each other on the ice. They they they see each other. So, I mean, it’s it’s been working really well for both of them. How much flexibility does it give you to have Barzel who can play both wing and at center? Well, right now the flexibility is to have Richie playing on that on that line. I mean, he’s been playing really well for us. I mean, um I feel like like I said, I repeat myself a lot, but I mean I think playing with with Palm and and and Joel Dwayne, I think it’s gives us a very good very good line. Um, but yeah, it’s it’s nice to have the the possibility to juggle with these with the Romanov D’Angelo pairing. I was talking with Romanov, he said he knows they got to be a little better. Just what have you seen from that pairing when there are breakdowns? I love Romy because Romy cares and Romy is is, you know, he um there’s nobody tougher on himself than him. Um he wants to be he wants to play well. He wants to perform and and and I think sometimes he maybe evaluate his game a little too hard on he’s too hard on himself. That’s what I was trying to say. And but I love that about him. I mean that’s that’s how I was as a as a goalie. You know, you got to be demanding on yourself and Romy does and but I’m not nervous for Romy. I know he’s he’s he’s going to deliver and he’s going to play good hockey and but we need our three pairing playing really good hockey if we want to win games. when you see the for that pairing specifically, when you see the breakdown, just what are you noticing about the mistakes or or what is happening when when they’re allowing goals when they’re out there? Um maybe turnovers. Um couple turnovers in that game and and be, you know, is it communication? Is it be patient with the puck? You know, make the right the right right decision. But I I’m Hey, we’re always it’s a game of mistake. I mean, we’re all going to make mistakes. It’s how you know it’s what you do after the mistake that’s what you care and and I think these guys been doing a good job. We talked about Duclair staying on the ice the other day and you know paying off with that goal to see Drewan out there with him today too. I know they’re close. Just what does it mean about this group where everyone’s I was very happy about Anony’s game. I mean against uh Boston. I love the what he did when Zero abused I mean Schaefer and and I love the fact that he jumped in and I he scored that goal. I thought he had he played well defensively. I thought he made some great play offensively. Um, solid along the wall.

Hear from Scott Mayfield, Emil Heineman, and Patrick Roy after today’s practice.

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