Ahead of the most important game of the playoffs so far for the Islanders, game six against the Philadelphia Flyers with a chance at an Eastern Conference Finals birth at stake, it’s time for another Drive 4 Five Mailbag! In this series, we will be answering questions that are asked to us on our Instagram, @drive4five, through the question and answer feature on Instagram stories, about the New York Islanders, potential trades, and hockey in general. This will be a collaborative effort by all the writers on the website as each week you will see different people answering the questions! If you want to ask a question to potentially be featured in next week’s mailbag, make sure to check our Instagram for the next time we post the question and answer box on our story! If you want to check out what we had to say in the last mailbag, you can check it out here!

From @itsjackiemojr: “Should there be a lineup change for game 6?”

“The New York Islanders played a rough game in game 5, and head coach Barry Trotz has a tough decision tonight in making a change in the lineup. Originally, the thought may be taking out Derick Brassard, who has been in-and-out of the lineup during the playoffs, but after scoring a crucial goal on Tuesday night and the possibility of Mathew Barzal being unavailable tonight, that shouldn’t be necessary. If Barzal happens to be out for the Islanders in game 6 tonight, I think Trotz will look to someone like Michael Dal Colle or Tom Kuhnhackl to fill in his spot, while potentially moving Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the first line to take Barzal’s spot.”

-Jake

From @iammitchwolf: “Who do you think gets the start in goal for game 6?”

“Although Thomas Greiss has excelled thus far this postseason, the job of starting goaltender is Semyon Varlamov’s to lose. Varlamov, having posted a 1.33 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) in the regular season, had a very productive season, whereas Greiss, having posted a -2.76 GSAx in the regular season, was not as productive in this time span. Varlamov has been one of the best goaltenders in the postseason so far, and his impact is one of the primary reasons the New York Islanders have been so successful. Altogether, we do not know exactly what Barry Trotz will do, but it is safe to expect to see Varlamov in goal for the Islanders in game 6.”

*All statistics are from Evolving-Hockey.

-Aidan

From @juliaknoblochh: “Which Islander do you think has been most important to their success thus far?”

“This question is a unique one because there is no correct answer. Every single player on the Islanders has been crucial for Barry Trotz. Each individual plays a role and masters it, focusing on the logo on the front, not the name on the back. This culture is why the Islanders are embarking on their best run in almost 30 years.

-David

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions, and make sure to keep an eye out on the Instagram story for the next time to submit questions, and check back next week for the next installment of the Drive4Five Mailbag! Also, make sure to cheer on the Islanders as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight in game 6!

SEF