NEWARK, N.J. -- After giving his team what he called a "wake-up call" Sunday by sending five defensemen out for one shift against Ottawa, Islanders coach Jack Capuano said he's now looking for nine solid periods of hockey this week so his club can go into the offseason with a positive feeling.
"We talk about the last nine periods of hockey that we need to play and just making sure that the accountability for one another, the compete level for one another, and playing for one another is important," Capuano said Tuesday in advance of the Islanders' game against New Jersey at Prudential Center. "You can't worry about the scoreboard. I've always told the guys your work ethic will dictate the outcome of the game. We have some young guys playing, guys we're taking a look at, and we want them to work hard."
The Islanders are looking to even the season series against New Jersey. They also play Thursday at home against Winnipeg before closing the regular season Saturday at Columbus.
They had won three in a row, including two straight over Pittsburgh, before dropping the last two on home ice against Boston (6-3) and Ottawa (5-1).
John Tavares said if the Islanders close the season with some good games against the Devils, Jets and Blue Jackets, it will boost morale going into the offseason and, eventually, training camp.
"I think you definitely would have a much better feeling with the way it ended," Tavares said. "Playing well and ending on a positive does a lot for morale. I think it's important and what we have to continue to do. As a group this is the last week we'll be together, so you want to enjoy that, end it on a positive note, and build on some things."
Al Montoya will get the start in net. Here is the rest of the Islanders lineup:
Matt Moulson - John Tavares - PA Parenteau
Josh Bailey - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo
Michael Grabner - Marty Reasoner - Nino Niederreiter
Michael Haley - Jay Pandolfo - Matt Martin
Mark Streit - Mark Eaton
Andrew MacDonald - Travis Hamonic
Matt Donovan - Dylan Reese
Al Montoya
John Grahame
Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl
Isles focus on strong finish to build for next season
Tuesday, 04.03.2012 / 1:00 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer / At the Rink blog
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