The statistics and analytics suggest a regression.

But neither the Islanders nor Simon Holmstrom view this season as such.

And the reason – namely because coach Patrick Roy still implicitly trusts Holmstrom’s defensive instincts and penalty-kill work – is why the 24-year-old Swede is still very much one of the Islanders’ core players.

“It definitely feels good, I’ve been working hard for it,” Holmstrom said. “You should never take anything for granted and I’m working hard every day to keep it being that way.”

The Islanders face the Ducks on Thursday night at UBS Arena in the middle match of a three-game homestand which opened with Holmstrom snapping a 14-game point drought with his first goal in 18 games as they outlasted Vegas, 5-4, in a four-round shootout.

Yet throughout the sco

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