On the Islanders Beat

With points in 11 of their past 12 games, the Islanders obviously are coming together at the right time of the season. They have a plan and some chemistry and they’re doing a lot of things right, but the best trait they’ve exhibited is the ability to finish.

Game after close game is coming down to the third period, and that’s often where the Islanders are at their best. If you break down the past 12 games (7-1-4), the Islanders have outscored their opponents in the third period, 16-7. Their win-loss-tie record for the third period alone is 5-2-5. The only game in which they lost a lead in the third period was their 4-3 overtime loss to Detroit, but in three other games, the Isles came from behind in the third period to post victories.

They haven’t been nearly as good in overtime and shootout situations, where skill plays a larger role. Of the five games in this stretch that have reached overtime, they have lost two in OT and gone 1-2 in shootouts with the only win coming Tuesday in Toronto.

Still, in the big picture, their play in the third period to get at least one point in 11 of 12 games has been the clearest sign yet that the Islanders not only are a serious playoff contender but also are the kind of gritty opponent that would be tough for higher-ranked teams to beat in a playoff situation. In the playoffs, overtime is like regulation hockey, not contrived four-on-four or shootout situations.

If the Islanders have shown one thing during this 12-game stretch, it’s that they have the ability to hang tough in the third period, and that should carry over in the playoffs to overtime. Their 4-1 win over Boston on Thursday night was only the latest example.

“It’s that time of season,” said Mike Sillinger, whose game-winner at 10:56 of the third period triggered a three-goal outburst that led to a 4-1 win. “You have to be good in the third period. They’re all one-goal games. [The final score] was 4-1, but really it was a one-goal game right to the end.

“Everyone’s fighting for points, but we seem to buckle down and play good team defense. In Toronto, we got outshot, 16-1, and they were all over us, but we really played tight around Ricky. Ricky makes the big save or a couple when he has to. He’s been the man. He gives us a chance to win every game. I don’t think you can say enough good things about Ricky.”

Goaltender Rick DiPietro often has been the deciding factor with his play in the third period to make a lead stand up once the Islanders put a nose in front. He appreciates the tight defensive play in front of him and the way his teammates have worked to avoid taking harmful late penalties.

But most of all, DiPietro understands the difference it has made this season to have a group of heady veterans on the ice with him, including Sillinger, Brendan Witt, Sean Hill, Tom Poti, Viktor Kozlov, Chris Simon and Richard Park, all of whom were added in the offseason. Most likely, the Islanders will infuse a little more youth into the lineup next season, but it’s the experience of the veterans around him now that has eased the burden on DiPietro.

“All our veteran guys have been huge for us in the locker room,” DiPietro said. “Obviously, it’s been a little bit different for us having such a veteran team. Last year, we were very young most of the year, and now, we’ve got established guys who know what it takes to win and have been there. That’s huge when you’ve got young guys here who are able to look up to these guys.”

Learning how to win is the toughest lesson of all, but the Islanders are passing the test in the third period.