Lack of First Line Stability Has Hurt Mathew Barzal
In the recent past, whenever Islanders’ fans would talk about the first line, they were referring to the Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Jordan Eberle line. However, that trio has not played together since the middle of the 2020-21 season due to Lee suffering a season-ending ACL injury and Eberle being drafted by the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft.
Head coach Barry Trotz has been trying to recreate the success of the Lee-Barzal-Eberle line for the entirety of this season. He has put nearly every forward as Barzal’s right-winger to try and find out who can fill the void. But the revolving door of wingers has taken a toll on Barzal’s productivity.
2019-20 season
The 2019-20 season was Barzal’s third season as a full-time NHL player. He played in 68 games (the season was cut short due to COVID-19) with Lee and Eberle as his wingers for the majority of the season.
In 68 games, Barzal scored 19 goals — the third most on the team. He also led the team in assists (41) and points (60). Barzal was also great on the man-advantage. He had four power-play goals and 12 power-play points.
2021-22 season
Flash forward two years and the Islanders’ top line looks a bit different. While Trotz has rotated the first line right-winger, the most common line combination has been Lee-Barzal-Josh Bailey.
At 32-years-old, Bailey — who is frequently criticized on social media — is a middle-six forward, not a first-line player. Bailey’s lack of speed and playmaking ability has inhibited Barzal’s development and production this season.
In 44 games, Barzal has recorded 36 points (12-24—36). His average goals per game went from 0.28 in the 2019-20 season to 0.27 in the current season. There was also a decrease in his average assists per game (0.60 to 0.55) and average points per game (0.88 to 0.82).
The First Line Needs to Be Solidified
With his speed, stick-handling and playmaking abilities, Barzal should be improving significantly each season. But in two years, his statistics have either remained about the same or gotten worse.
The production of the Islanders’ first-line has been negatively affected by the lack of a right-winger. Even Barzal has stated that he would like to have a solidified first line.
“I mean I would love some concrete chemistry with somebody. Just rotating guys in and out sometimes it’s hard to get that chemistry,” Barzal said. “I mean it’s nice to have a line that you’ve been with for a little bit.”
The recent first-line combination of Zach Parise, Barzal and Kyle Palmieri has been successful for its first two games. But with Parise and Palmieri’s inconsistency this season, who knows if this line will continue to work. Trotz may also want to move Lee back up to the first-line. Regardless, with only 35 games remaining in the season, Trotz needs to solidify his lines and stop shaking them up nearly every game.
I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five. Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.
