WASHINGTON — The differences between the Islanders’ and Maple Leafs’ systems are subtle, but important enough to matter.
They’re just big enough that it takes time for a player to shift from one to the other, and fans are just impatient enough that such time tends to matter.
“We just play a little bit more of a defensive style where we try and be as responsible as possible,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said.
“There’s always little changes and little things, whether it be things off of faceoffs or whatever it might be, how we cover off of faceoffs and things like that. They’re just very subtle things that have to be figured out.”
Pierre Engvall, though, seems to be past that learning period.
Acquired by the Islanders from Toronto a few days prior to the trade deadline at the cost of a 2024 third-round pick, Engvall had an underwhelming first week with his new team, then quickly worked past it.
Monday night might have been his best game since the trade: not only did Engvall score a first-period goal, but also he impacted every area of the ice with a blend of speed and physicality.
Chances are Engvall will only be on Long Island for the short haul.
It’s not impossible for the Islanders to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, but he likely will end up being a rental.
If he plays as he did Monday for the rest for the season, however, it will be well worth it.
“Last few games here, I’ve been feeling good,” Engvall said. “I gotta thank my teammates, taking care of me and help me a lot on and off the ice. Feels pretty good.”
The second line of Engvall, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri accounted for all three goals the Islanders scored before the Devils pulled their goaltender in an eventual 5-1 win on Monday.
The underlying numbers backed up the eye test.
The second line finished the game with an 11-4 shot margin and 77.45 expected goals percentage, per Natural Stat Trick.
Harping on lines that are subject to change on a whim is a dangerous game. But that trio looks to be one Lambert will keep intact for the playoffs — if the Islanders can seal up a berth over the final eight games of the regular season.
“I think we have that chemistry together,” Engvall said. “I think we find each other and work really hard and it’s just fun to play with them.”
The Islanders’ magic number over both Florida and Buffalo is 11. None of the teams played Tuesday, but the Panthers will be in action against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.