When Barry Trotz coached the New York Islanders to a 2-1 overtime win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, he matched Jack Capuano for second all-time in franchise playoff wins for a coach. This is Trotz’s second season behind the bench for the Islanders.
What that highlights is two-fold: One, just how much the Islanders have struggled since the days of Al Arbour. Two, and more importantly, just what Trotz has brought to the Islanders organization.
Subscribe here for daily coverage of the New York Islanders from Christian Arnold
The arrival of Barry Trotz, and general manager Lou Lamoriello, have changed the culture of the New York Islanders and transformed the franchise into a consistent playoff contender.
The team has been molded around the defense-first style of play that Trotz utilizes and that has led to plenty of postseason success. The Islanders are on the verge of sweeping the Washington Capitals out of the postseason after handily defeating the Florida Panthers in the Qualifying Round.
A large part of that has to do with the system the Islanders have been using. Through Trotz’s system, the Islanders have allowed fewer than 30 shots on net in all seven playoff games this season. That has led to the Islanders smothering two high powered offenses in the postseason.
“I think as a team we know (Trotz) extremely well now,” Nick Leddy said about his coach. “What he expects from us and I think all of us are really realizing how successful it is when we play our game. And are detailed and structured.”
Last week Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella was asked about the role a coach plays in a team’s success. Tortorella equated it to the role of a guidance counselor and that coaches get too much credit when things are going well or badly.
The Players are the ones that execute the plan on the ice and coaches just guide them along the way, Tortorella explained.
Posed a similar question, Barry Trotz agreed with his Columbus counterpart. He did add insight into the off-ice element that coaches deal with as well.
And the element that often goes unheralded when it comes to coaching in the NHL.
“You want to give young men not only the skills on the ice systematically to fit some things,” Trotz said. “But getting their minds right. There’s so many pressures on them. They want to produce. The shift to shift matchups. All of those things. Life in the bubble. Life at home. All of that. … The game isn’t always Xs and Os and systematic stuff.
“It’s dealing with different pressures as a human being and different emotions. How to get yourself reset and motivated, and all those things that go with being a professional athlete these days.”
Barry Trotz has certainly helped the Islanders manage their emotions through this postseason run. The Islanders have had to rally twice in the First Round against the Capitals, including from a 2-0 deficit after a sluggish first period and a half in Game 1.
It’s become evident that the calm confidence Trotz has in his team’s ability to execute the system has trickled down to the players. It was noticeable earlier in the year when the Islanders were one of the hottest teams in the NHL and now it’s noticeable again.
Of course, that comes with years of experience behind the bench and a Stanley Cup to his name. Away from that Trotz has also mastered the way he communicates with his team.
“His little speeches, the things that he has to say that really brings everything together,” Anders Lee said. “Helps you understand things a little bit better. Makes it clear. The importance of this and that, and his experience through all the different types of series he’s been through. … Those little things, that little information and that perspective I think really goes a long way.”