GDT: GDT #17 New York Islanders @ Vancouver Canucks | November 14th | 10:00 PM | F/W 5-2

[Mr Misunderstood]

But isn't it the coaches' job to figure that out and maybe make him the player he was in his youth? The isles have had a number of coaches going though the bench since Tavares' time and none have actually made him a better player.
I like Barzal a lot, but it is worrisome how the team improves without him, like last season.

This is absolutely true, it is the coach's job to get the most they can out of a player and put them in the best position to succeed.

Centering a line separate from Tavares allowed Barzal to drive his own line (like you pointed out) and force the opposing team to decide who they were going to deploy their top pairing D against.

Please, please, please try to repeat that again. Horvat and Barzal will still play together a lot on PP, extra attacker situations and OT.

 

[Osakahaus]

Didnt watch last nights game but can we agree that adding in George has actually been a net plus, while Dobson has been kinda meh? Also Grant Hutton finally getting a chance to play is a great thing to see. We really do need to see more from the D, and last night was great. Shame we gave up another first goal but what are ya gonna do?

 

[Rehabguy]

Barzal was a great player when Tavares was on the team. He consistently looked to move the puck to the more senior players and made himself an option on the play. Tavares leaves , and he started to over handle the puck to the point teams could put 2 on him and eliminate any positive productivity. He became a very difficult player to play with.

I think when Tavares left he became the defacto top scoring threat or points getter on the team. Maybe he felt he had to carry the load of the team's offense once Tavares left which also appears what some of his detractors here have implied and yes as a result maybe he pushing the issue by overplaying the puck at times. The blessing in disguise with his current injury is that it forced the other lines to step up and "rediscover" their scoring touch which Roy's giving them every opportunity to do with the new system he put into place.

We haven't seen Pageau or Lee play this well in years. I credit this to their new system which with Barzal's absence forced the rest of the team to adapt even sooner. It forced the issue so to speak. When Barzal and Duclair return that should be seen as the cherry on top. It's always good to have both north and south players as well as east and west players depending on the type of opponent they face. Options or a different look is always a good thing. What we shouldn't expect is for one line to carry to load which appeared to be the case when Barzal is in the line-up.

With Barzal out of the lineup it forced the other players to be less spectators and to participate and step up to the challenge. This is a great outcome to the otherwise unfortunate situation.

 

[Rehabguy]

But isn't it the coaches' job to figure that out and maybe make him the player he was in his youth? The isles have had a number of coaches going though the bench since Tavares' time and none have actually made him a better player.
I like Barzal a lot, but it is worrisome how the team improves without him, like last season.

See above. It's not that they improved it's that it forced them to get involved. At any point in time Barzal only plays with 2 other forwards on the ice. He has nothing to do for example with how Pageau or any of our 2nd or third liners play their game. His absence forced the other players to step their game up. Now if he was a goaltender, you might have a good point but he's only one forward. But if you expect only one line to carry the load that's when the team runs into trouble. That's when detractors start getting on Barzal's case or assume when he's out of the line-up the team magically does better. It's not magic. It's called effort.

Anyone can play the blame game. Why is the team playing better right now. Hmmm, I think it is because Romanov's out, or Pelech's out, or Reilly's out. Or Barzal's out. It's a silly way to look at things. Truth of the matter is when Barzal, Duclair and Horvat were on the same line they were forming a dominating line and that's all THEY are responsible for. I would love to have those two back in the line-up and to see this team winning games with all cylinders firing.

I do agree with the idea of keeping Pageau, Lee and Horvat together for a while though I think Horvat's game suffered a notch down. I wouldn't mind seeing Tysplakov alongside Duclair and Barzal if they could make that happen. I think that would be a real formidable line. I don't think they are getting the best out of Tsyplakov yet. As capable a set up man as he has been shown to be, he was known recently in the KHL as a very good finisher. With Duclair and Barzal on the same line it should open up the ice for him and allow him to get into position for that quick release of his.

Duclair Barzal Tsyplakov
Pageau Horvat Lee
Engvall Nelson Palmieri
Cizikis McLean Martin/Wally/Holmstrom

Tough decisions ahead it seems.

 

[NittanyIsle]

The hard truth missed in all of this....we've outplayed most teams this year. We've either blown leads late or had an insanely high danger chance materialize into very few goals.

The third line is so much better YOY and the 4th line isn't great, but isn't a drag. So the fact that guys are scoring while we're injured is great, but I wouldn't trade anyone right now. Not with how Lee and Pager are playing and not when Pelly and Duclair and Barzy get back either.

 

[Rehabguy]

The hard truth missed in all of this....we've outplayed most teams this year. We've either blown leads late or had an insanely high danger chance materialize into very few goals.

The third line is so much better YOY and the 4th line isn't great, but isn't a drag. So the fact that guys are scoring while we're injured is great, but I wouldn't trade anyone right now. Not with how Lee and Pager are playing and not when Pelly and Duclair and Barzy get back either.

With all the opportunities they were getting they just forgot how to pull the trigger. As the confidence grows the scoring will come. If it all comes together this team has another playoff run in them and who knows what happens after that. Things are definitely looking better.

 

[Tahoeblue]

See above. It's not that they improved it's that it forced them to get involved. At any point in time Barzal only plays with 2 other forwards on the ice. He has nothing to do for example with how Pageau or any of our 2nd or third liners play their game. His absence forced the other players to step their game up. Now if he was a goaltender, you might have a good point but he's only one forward. But if you expect only one line to carry the load that's when the team runs into trouble. That's when detractors start getting on Barzal's case or assume when he's out of the line-up the team magically does better. It's not magic. It's called effort.

Anyone can play the blame game. Why is the team playing better right now. Hmmm, I think it is because Romanov's out, or Pelech's out, or Reilly's out. Or Barzal's out. It's a silly way to look at things. Truth of the matter is when Barzal, Duclair and Horvat were on the same line they were forming a dominating line and that's all THEY are responsible for. I would love to have those two back in the line-up and to see this team winning games with all cylinders firing.

I do agree with the idea of keeping Pageau, Lee and Horvat together for a while though I think Horvat's game suffered a notch down. I wouldn't mind seeing Tysplakov alongside Duclair and Barzal if they could make that happen. I think that would be a real formidable line. I don't think they are getting the best out of Tsyplakov yet. As capable a set up man as he has been shown to be, he was known recently in the KHL as a very good finisher. With Duclair and Barzal on the same line it should open up the ice for him and allow him to get into position for that quick release of his.

Duclair Barzal Tsyplakov
Pageau Horvat Lee
Engvall Nelson Palmieri
Cizikis McLean Martin/Wally/Holmstrom

Tough decisions ahead it seems.

I have the exact same players for lines 1-3 as well. I would like to see Cizikas with Holmstrom and Foudy on the 4th line for a spell. I could see the argument of Holmstrom playing up in the lineup. He could be a late bloomer and seems to be trying to shoot more. I hope he turns into a Sherangovich type for this team. Solid W last night