Before the Islanders blasted Igor Shesterkin for six goals on April 20, they scored only two goals in three games. One of them came courtesy of Travis Zajac, who scored the only goal in a two-game set against the Bruins last week. Thank you for voting and, hopefully, there will be more goals for you to vote on this weekend.

The other player in the trade with the New Jersey Devils, Kyle Palmieri, scored the game before against the Rangers, and it was time for Zajac to get in on the action. After 202 goals in New Jersey, third in franchise history, Travis Zajac got his first goal on Long Island.

He parked himself in front of the goal and tapped in a Mat Barzal pass to get the Islanders on the board. Although this goal is more about the assist, it took some veteran savvy to make it all work. Let’s break it down.

A pass from Jordan Eberle handcuffed Barzal and he whiffed on the one-timer attempt. The young center found the puck quickly and looked to make a play. He fought off a check from Charlie McAvoy and worked himself behind the net. Eberle got in Patrice Bergeron’s way, just slightly, as he went to pursue Barzal. This slowed Bergeron down just enough so that Barzal could get separation from him behind the net.

At this point, Barzal was below the goal line and all five Bruins were watching him. While Barzal may be the most dangerous player on the Islanders, the most dangerous player on the ice is always the one in front of the net, not below the goal line. Jeremy Lauzon was covering Zajac, but committed to cutting off Barzal who was moving to the other side of the net. He left Zajac all alone. This put three players on the puck carrier and none on Zajac who found a soft spot in front of Bruins’ goalie Tuukka Rask.

Barzal recognized this and made a highlight reel pass, spinning 180 degrees and sending the puck back the way he came from. The pass hit Zajac perfectly, and he had a wide-open net. Rask followed Barzal and expected him to come out to his left. When the pass came from behind him to Zajac on his right, Rask had no chance.

Barzal’s vision and playmaking ability combined with Zajac’s recognition and patience to stay in front of the net led to a nice goal. Zajac has been seeing time on the top line and goals like this should help his cause to stay there.

John Smark