"At the midpoint of the 82-game grind, Lee believes the Islanders have done "some really good work," pointing to stretches of strong hockey and an ability to push through adversity that inevitably shows up over the first 41 games. Some opportunities were seized, others slipped away, but Lee views that as part of the process rather than a red flag."
"What matters most to the captain is that the Islanders are in position to build. Lee said he expected this group to be in the playoff mix at this stage, but emphasized that expectations don't mean much without execution. In his view, the Islanders have risen to key moments - whether through timely goals or big saves - and that consistency over time is what has them in a playoff spot."
"One encouraging sign for the Isles is the return of Ilya Sorokin, who skated with the group for the first time since his injury. Lee called it "great to see" the franchise goaltender progressing, while also giving credit to David Rittich for steadying the team during Sorokin's absence. "He's such a gamer," Lee said of Rittich. "He's stolen a few games for us, and sometimes you need that.""
At the halfway point of an 82-game schedule, the Islanders have earned a place in the standings while still having room to improve. The team showed stretches of strong hockey, an ability to push through adversity, and a mix of seized and missed opportunities that are viewed as part of development. Consistency and execution have helped secure a playoff spot so far. The Metropolitan Division is tightly contested, reducing the margin for error as the season progresses. Ilya Sorokin returned to skating after injury, and David Rittich provided steadiness and key performances during Sorokin's absence. The focus is to stay grounded, trust the work, and keep pushing.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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