Newly acquired Andy Greene fits like a glove paired with Ryan Pulock on Islanders' defense
Andy Greene #4 of the Islanders skates with the puck past Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on February 17, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 2-1. Credit: Getty Images/Christian Petersen
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Andy Greene slipped comfortably into the role envisioned for him by Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz.
The defenseman was paired with Ryan Pulock, picked up an assist and logged 19 minutes, 46 seconds — including 2:32 on the penalty kill — in his Islanders debut Monday in a 2-1 loss to the Coyotes. Greene, 37, was acquired from the Devils on Sunday for minor-league defenseman David Quenneville and a second-round pick in 2021.
Essentially, Greene has the role that Adam Pelech filled before the latter suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury on Jan. 2.
“Duck’s legs under water,” Greene said of how comfortable he was in his first game with his new team after 13-plus seasons with the Devils. “I was sitting there trying to make simple reads and simple plays. Try to ease my way into the game and go from there.”
Trotz had Greene on the ice to start the game, and his first shift morphed into a penalty-killing shift when Brock Nelson was called for hooking 23 seconds into the first period.
“I really liked his game,” Trotz said. “It’s what the doctor ordered. He’s poised. I thought he handled their top line [which includes Greene’s former Devils teammate, Taylor Hall] and he’s a good complement for Pully. It’ll definitely be a good fit for us.”
Greene finished with two shots on net and one blocked shot.
Bardreau waived
Cole Bardreau was placed on waivers on Sunday. He had been recalled from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Wednesday because fourth-line center Casey Cizikas is out three to four weeks with a left leg laceration.
Bardreau, who can clear waivers at noon Tuesday, has one goal and one assist in 10 games. He was a minus-1 in 12:46 in a 5-0 loss at Nashville on Thursday night before being a healthy scratch for the 1-0 loss at Vegas on Saturday night and at Arizona on Monday.
It opens a spot on the 23-man roster for Lamoriello to perhaps make another move before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Bardreau, 26, played five seasons in the Flyers’ organization without a call-up.
Isles files
The Islanders’ top line of Jordan Eberle (24:01), Mathew Barzal (24:35) and Anders Lee (22:17) all logged season-high ice times . . . The Islanders were only 18-for-48 (38%) on faceoffs . . . They were 0-for-3 on the power play with only five man-advantage shots . . . The Islanders killed off both of the Coyotes’ power plays and have not allowed a power-play goal in four games. They are 12-for-13 on the penalty kill in their last seven games . . . Tom Kuhnhackl and rookie defenseman Noah Dobson were the other healthy scratches.
New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) celebrates with Andy Greene after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes in the third period during an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Coyotes won 2-1. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
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.
