Jason Chimera said he "always saw it." Even when the New York Islanders were struggling during the first half of last season, with one-goal losses and late-game breakdowns, Chimera’s confidence that the team eventually would turn its game around never wavered.
▸IN Eberle/Barzal/Dal Colle
▸OUT Strome/Hamonic/Grabovski
The 38-year-old left wing was right, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome as the Islanders missed the Stanley Cup playoffs by a point.
"The second half was more of the team I signed with," said Chimera, who’s entering his second season with New York. "It was the same team as the first half when, for whatever reason, it just wasn’t working. It was a fun ride at the end, though, for sure."
The Islanders immediately went to work when the campaign concluded to ensure that the ride continues this season and returns them to the playoffs.
