If there's one thing that's stood out about the Islanders past two games, it's how little they've given up to their opponents.
The Islanders allowed 17 shots to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday and 15 shots in regulation to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Add them together and it equals what most teams allow in one game, even the Islanders who are averaging 30.9 shots against per game this season.
"We're playing a 200-foot game and making good decisions," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "It's good decisions with the puck. I think when our exits are clean, less shots. When our decisions at the red line and the blue line under pressure are good decisions, then you get less shots. Positionally, in terms of our spacing in all three zones is better, less shots. So if we do all that, then you give yourself a chance. Doesn't mean you're going to win or not, you put yourself in a position with the analytics of the game to have success."
Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar paid Trotz perhaps one of the best compliments one coach can give another, calling the Isles one of the stingiest teams in the East.
The numbers back it up, as the Islanders are tied with Carolina for allowing the third-fewest goals per game (2.84) in the Eastern Conference. The Isles are also allowing the fifth-fewest shots against per game in the East.
"They are one of the stingiest teams defensively out east," Bednar said. "They're tough to find space on, they skate real well and handle pucks in the offensively zone. It'll be a tough matchup, a tough game and we expect nothing less, they are very well coached."
