What lessons the Sens can learn from the semifinalists

New York Islanders

The lesson: Identity matters

Let’s start with one of the teams where the lesson is less clear. In 2018, the Islanders lost captain and star player John Tavares to the Maple Leafs, prompting Toronto’s meteoric rise to perennial playoff success, I think.

That same off-season, the Islanders brought on Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello. Instead of flaming out with Tavares as many predicted, the Islanders swept the Penguins in the first round before bowing out to Carolina in four games in round two. The Islanders have since followed that surprise season up with back-to-back semifinal appearances, becoming a beacon of consistent success in the NHL.

This was largely due to Trotz’s emphasis on defensive hockey and Lamoriello building a team around his coach’s style, not to mention goaltending guru Mitch Korn following Trotz to Long Island. I’m not advocating for the Sens to commit to winning every game 2-1, especially not with the talent on the roster and in the system, but the Islanders’ identity has allowed them to play a cohesive style night-in and night-out.

The Sens already have the makings of a strong identity, with Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and others reminding us of the power of friendship, so maybe they should follow the Islanders’ lead and lean into it. This might mean not nickel-and-diming every young player when it comes to a contract extension, something this team has yet to prove they want to, or even can, do.