New York Islanders: Three things to expect in upcoming season- playoffs?
Back to the basics
In what is easily one of the better more no-brainer moves of the offseason, the Isles brought back hitting machine, the gritty Matt Martin.
What he brings is more physicality. That is something the Isles need to get back into their game.
It might have been lack of effort but one of the things that really got away from the Islanders last season was nasty hits and that physical, down your throat, type hockey.
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It was obviously reflected on defense and the offense could be even better with some extra physicality thrown into it.
Matt Martin is a good start to incorporating this basic part of hockey into the Isles’ game. However, there is really more of a culture that Lou wants to bring into it. A defense that does not hit and go after the puck is not a defense Lou will allow on the ice.
The Islander can finally start getting physical again. They simply need too. Their division is the deepest in hockey and they need to be ready to bring it each and every night.
In regards to Martin, that is exactly why Lou brought him to the Island with him and back in general. Having a player like him is good to start being more physical.
The difference in physicality from 2017-2018 to 2018-2019 might not end up being black and white but it will definitely be different.
More physical hockey out of the Isles and their players is something to expect this coming season.