The Islanders Should Rest Players Ahead of the NHL Playoffs
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are quickly approaching and the Islanders have clinched a playoff spot. In New York’s final game of the season, the Islanders should look to rest veterans and star players to keep them fresh for the NHL postseason.
Resting players has many benefits. This could also be considered load management and is used frequently in sports like basketball. Sitting players allow them to work potentially resolve any minor injuries. This tactic of resting players is frowned upon by some fans, but with the final game having little significance, the Islanders should rest the players below.
Andy Greene
Andy Greene is one of the primary Islanders that should sit out the final game. The 38-year-old veteran has been great for the Islanders since he was acquired from the New Jersey Devils last season. The seasoned veteran has been a reliable top-six defenseman this season and should get rest so he can be at his best in the playoffs.
Braydon Coburn, acquired from the Ottawa Senators, could replace Greene. Coburn plays a relatively similar game to Greene. Both players are defensively stable and provide similar offensive production.
Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal is not a player the Islanders would rest due to age, but rather to prevent unnecessary injuries. The Islanders’ position in the standings is practically set. Playing their star player in a meaningless game could result in a tragic injury that would ruin the Islanders chances at a deep playoff run.
Kieffer Bellows could replace Barzal. Bellows has been rotating in and out of the lineup for the entire season. The Islanders could experiment and play Bellows in a prominent position so see what he brings in a bigger role.
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Austin Czarnik is another option. The center has not played much for the Islanders this season. Czarnik could help the Islanders in the playoffs if an injury happens, and getting him game-ready for one night just could be beneficial.
Resting players will always be a heavily debated topic in the sports world. People watch for the star players, and sitting an all-star like Barzal is not something the average fan would want; however, rest reduces the risk of injury. And this tactic should be used today.
