After mistakes, Barry Trotz scratches Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech vs. Vancouver
The Islanders' Adam Pelech intercepts a pass intended for the Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov during the first period of a game on Oct. 28. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker
Adam Pelech’s mistakes in the Islanders’ previous game proved costly to the defenseman in terms of his ice time for Tuesday night’s game against the Canucks at Barclays Center.
As in, Pelech didn’t receive any.
Instead, coach Barry Trotz inserted Luca Sbisa into the lineup for just the fourth time after the 28-year-old earned a one-year, $1.5-million deal off a training camp professional tryout offer.
Pelech, 24, was a healthy scratch for the second time this season after his missed assignment led to the Panthers’ first goal and his turnover and subsequent interference penalty resulted in the power-play winner in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss at Florida on Saturday night.
“He didn’t have his best game and he knows it,” Trotz said. “It doesn’t mean I don’t like the player or trust the player. It’s just a bit of accountability. There are certain things we’ve spoken about between me and him where I just need him to be a little bit better.
“Sbisa has worked his butt off, he deserved to get in there,” Trotz added. “The whole thing is to create competition within our group.”
Martin update
Left wing Matt Martin (upper body/day to day), who missed his fifth straight game, resumed practicing with his teammates as he participated in the optional morning skate.
“I’ll probably have a little more information in the next couple of days,” Trotz said. “This was really his first day with a semi-normal group. He’s got to join the normal group the next day or two and then we’ll see where we are.”
The Islanders have a full team practice scheduled on Wednesday.
Notes & Quotes
Left wing Ross Johnston was a healthy scratch for the 13th time this season…The Islanders wore their alternate jerseys for the second of three times this month…Tuesday was Military Appreciation Night at Barclays Center.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
