GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Islanders prefer not to get caught in wide-open games. If that style isn’t necessarily the most exciting, so be it. Simple and methodical with good goaltending has worked for Barry Trotz’s team through back-to-back runs to the NHL semifinals.
In that sense, Saturday night’s 3-0 victory over the winless Coyotes at Gila River Arena, five games into a 13-game road trip, was the first time the Islanders have played pretty much the way they want.
The Islanders (2-2-1), who had allowed an uncharacteristic 11 goals in their first two games and were averaging 35.5 shots allowed through their first four games, extended their point streak to three games heading into Sunday night’s game at Vegas.
