Explaining the Islanders’ shocking rise from the inside

How is this possible?

That’s the question dancing throughout the NHL as the Islanders keep their stunning grip on top of the Metropolitan Division ahead of home games next week against the Flames, Maple Leafs and Capitals.

Some are less stunned than others. Those on the team’s MSG Networks broadcast, from longtime analyst Butch Goring to first-year studio analyst Jennifer Botterill, say they have seen an unwavering group whose bond has only grown with the success it has had on the ice.

“Everyone has gotten on board and bought in with the approach that Barry Trotz has been trying to instill with the team,” Botterill, a national champion at Harvard and three-time gold medalist for the Canadian national team, said.

“It seems to be such a strong chemistry and dynamic in the locker room. Every time you talk with the players, everyone seems so authentic and sincere. They want the best for everybody in that room. They’ve made the defensive zone the priority and making sure you are a complete player. They have added depth to the team and everyone steps up.”

It was an offseason of upheaval on Long Island. The excitement of bringing in Lou Lamoriello as team president and Trotz as head coach was quickly crushed by John Tavares’ decision to leave the franchise for the Maple Leafs. Even with the front-office makeover, most considered this a long-term rebuild for the Islanders, who have won one playoff series since 1993.

“The watchword coming out of the locker room is accountability,” Goring, a forward on the Islanders’ four Stanley Cup teams in the early 80s, said.

“When you watch the games and something is not going well, that player then misses a shift. That’s one way you can hold players accountable is by taking away their ice time. The thing about Barry that’s very, very interesting is he has a very pleasant way about going about his business. He gets his point across, is very succinct about what he wants to say and if he believes something is right; he’s not going to change. He comes to the Islanders with an awful lot of success and obviously the Stanley Cup.”

Tavares will make his return to Nassau Coliseum on Thursday with Toronto also in solid playoff position.

“He’s going to get booed, there’s no doubt about it. He’s not the first hockey player to get booed and John understands that. … What I do hope is that they give him his due for professionalism,” Goring said. “As everyone knows, there’s going to be a video tribute for him. He gave his heart and soul to make the Islanders as good as they could be. He was a tireless worker. I hope he gets the appropriate response and then they can boo him after that because that’s fair. That’s kind of irrational, but I am really hoping it happens.”

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Without Tavares, the Islanders have transformed into one of the league’s most disciplined teams. They have gone from allowing the most goals in the NHL to the least in one season.

The dilemma now for Lamoriello is whether to risk what they’ve established with a trade before the Feb. 25 deadline or stand pat and hope their talent is enough for a deep playoff run.

“First, they have to realize how important chemistry is to a hockey team and this is a very tight hockey team. There are no superstars,” Goring said. “Obviously, [Mathew] Barzal is a very good player, but he is not a superstar, yet.

“Having said that, their power play has been very up and down. I am not breaking any news there. I’ve always thought a power play can make or break you in certain times in the playoffs. If they were to add something, that’s an area I would look at. I am not sure what part of the power play Lou would pinpoint to improve. That’s where they need to add, something that would improve the power play.”