Initial Thoughts On How Mathew Barzal's Absence Affects Lineup, Power Play
Mathew Barzal is headed back to Long Island after suffering an upper-body injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Good morning!
The Elmonters is a paid subscription newsletter. But today is FREE FRIDAY!
If you haven’t already, please consider becoming a paid subscriber today to view all content.
Hope you enjoy!
ISLANDERS NEWS
Islanders Offensive Struggles Don't Just Fall On Forward Group - THN
Islanders Brock Nelson, Anders Lee & Bo Horvat Remember Johnny Gaudreau - THN
Islanders Goalie Ilya Sorokin Breaks Another Career Record As Hot Start Continues - THN
Islanders & Their Battle With Mental Toughness: 'We Have To Find A Way To Calm Down The Play - THN
Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy Changes Plan, Decides To Overload Top Power Play Unit - THN
BUFFALO -- New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is on his way back to Long Island due to an upper-body injury, the team announced on Friday morning.
There won’t be a timeline announcement until he meets with team doctors.
Read more at The Hockey News.
Initial Thoughts On How Mathew Barzal's Absence Affects Lineup, Power Play
BUFFALO — Mathew Barzal’s injury is the last thing the New York Islanders need at this time.
Here’s the play where Barzal likely got hurt:
Let’s be honest. With Barzal in the lineup, the Islanders have struggled offensively, with the supporting cast and understudies failing to make the play a success. But the show must go on.
You have to feel for Bo Horvat, who already lost Barzal once before, a 24-game absence less than three weeks after coming to Long Island via a trade from the Vancouver Canucks.
When Anthony Duclair went down with a long-term injury, Horvat was already under pressure to produce, and now the pressure must feel a bit overwhelming, as Horvat has struggled with three goals and two assists in 10 games.
I caught up with Horvat after Friday’s morning skate.
“It [stinks], and it's not ideal. But again, guys have gone down in the past, and the other guys have stepped up, and that's going to be the exact same thing going forward. We've got the guys in here to do it, and we have to get it done."
Horvat will now play with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
"Pageau and Lee are smart players, and they've been playing really well together all year. So, I am just going to try to do my job, win my face-off, and work hard. Hopefully, we have success."
There’s no positives to Barzal being out. But how much does Barzal’s absence impact the lineups?
Barzal’s Absence At 5-on-5
The game becomes simpler for Horvat.
The second line (Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri) remains together, the Islanders’ best line thus far.
Oliver Wahlstrom gets what truly could be the final opportunity to show Roy he can be a factor.
Casey Cizikas is back together with Pierre Engvall & Simon Holmstrom, a line that played well last season. Holmstrom is a bottom-six player, so this is a more comfortable spot for him.
The Engvall saga continues, where more ice time will show if he can help this team or if cutting ties at some point is the likely outcome.
Crashing the net and having the defense jump in on rushes isn’t a want but a need to succeed, even more so without Barzal.
Barzal’s Absence On Power Play
The power play becomes simpler.
Less passing, more shooting with traffic and rebounds.
Wrist shots from the point are paramount.
Noah Dobson needs to carry the puck confidently, with no Barzal drop pass to set up an option.
Final Takeaways
There is no positive to Barzal being out.
However, it does allow for some different approaches to their 5-on-5 game and the power play. Barzal is an ultra-talented player who uses his skating, hand-eye coordination, and IQ to make difficult plays.
While his skills also make him difficult to defend, when he’s doing those things while also showing off his shot, the skills also make him difficult to play with, which is why there’s been such a rotation on his line pre and post-Horvat.
Horvat and Duclair ‘s understanding of Barzal’s game is why those three had success early on and will continue to succeed when they’re healthy.
But right now, staring a three-game losing streak in the face, Barzal’s absence forces the Islanders’ four offensive lines and top power-play unit to play the most basic version of hockey, a north-south game, getting shots and trying to find dirty goals.
Certain players get newfound opportunities, most notably Wahlstrom.
Can he and the others rise to the occasion and help the Islanders at least tread water?
Again, there are no positives to Barzal being out.
Puck drop in Buffalo is coming your way at 7 PM ET on MSGSN.
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
