The Islanders showed early signs of tightening up their play on Thursday night, suggesting their defensive foundation could help offset persistent defensive lapses. A stretch where their structure appeared to take hold raised hopes that discipline might outweigh their usual sloppiness. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if this shift in approach holds as the game progresses. The team’s ability to sustain this improvement could mark a turning point in their recent struggles.
It looked for a while on Thursday night like the Islanders’ structure might overcome their sloppiness.
