The Islanders’ first line has been struggling to consistently score goals since captain Anders Lee’s season was cut short on March 11, 2021. The line went from being one of the best offensive lines on the team to arguably, one of the worst during the regular season. The Islanders’ success in the playoffs is directly related to how well their top line plays and as of recent, they have underperformed.

The Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in overtime in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Isles’ first line, consisting of Leo Komarov, Mathew Barzal, and Jordan Eberle, did not contribute to any of the goals. All three players were held off the scoresheet. The three top liners combined for only four shots on goal. Jean-Gabriel Pageau (who plays on the third line) recorded five shots on goal. A top line, consisting of what should be the three best forwards on the team, should not record fewer shots on goal than a single player, especially one who is among the bottom six forwards in the lineup.

The only positive thing to come out of Game 1 for the Islanders’ first line was that Komarov recorded 14 hits. As of May 16, 2021, that is the single-game highest amount of hits in the NHL this year.

While the Islanders faced a different outcome in Game 2, the first line did not. For the second game in a row, all three players recorded zero points and they all had a plus/minus of zero. While the three players may not have scored a goal or gotten an assist, they did at least get more shots on goal. Komarov recorded two shots on goal and Barzal and Eberle recorded three.

The Islanders had a tough loss against the Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once again, the first line did not score any goals. However, they did record some assists. Eberle had one assist and Barzal had two, one of which was earned on the power play. The two also started getting pucks to the net more (Eberle had three shots on goal, Barzal had five). Unfortunately, Komarov did not have as good of a game. He recorded zero points, had a plus/minus score of -1, and only played 11:49.

In the series against Pittsburgh, every single game (as of Game 3) has been determined by one goal. Every goal matters. In Game 3, the Islanders’ first line was outperformed by their own fourth line. The identity line combined for two goals and one assist. Technically, both lines earned the same number of points, but assists don’t win games, goals do.

From a visual standpoint, the Islanders’ first line looked great in Game 4 of the playoffs. Eberle scored a power-play goal and Barzal got an assist on a power-play goal. However, the stats from Game 4 tell a different story. Barzal had possession of the puck several times throughout the game as well as multiple breakaways. Yet, he only recorded one shot on goal. Eberle was not much better, recording only two shots on goal. Komarov had the worst game amongst the three of them recording zero points and only one shot on goal.

The Islanders are now heading into Game 5 with the series tied 2-2. The first line has only scored one goal meanwhile every other offensive line has already scored at least two. If the Islanders’ top line cannot find a way to consistently score in the next game or two, the Isles’ playoff run will be short-lived.