Barry Trotz of the Islanders upset with the Predators' Peter Laviolette
BOSTON — Barry Trotz didn’t like what Predators coach Peter Laviolette did.
Two days later, the Islanders’ coach still was a bit annoyed that the Predators had their top players on the ice for a five-on-three power play late in the third period of Nashville’s 8-3 win at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday.
“I’ll see Peter maybe in the summer and we’ll discuss that a little bit,” Trotz said before Thursday night’s game against the Bruins at TD Garden. “I wasn’t a big fan of that. It’s 8-3 and you’re putting your guys blasting pucks and you’re putting guys at risk. That’s fine. Everybody has their own way of doing it. I probably wouldn’t have done it that way.
“It tells me a lot about him.”
The Predators went on a five-on-three advantage at 16:05 of the third period when defenseman Scott Mayfield received a double-minor for roughing against the Predators’ Craig Smith, who received just a two-minute minor for roughing.
Laviolette, who began his NHL head-coaching career with the Islanders from 2001-03, eventually sent out top defensemen Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis along with top-six forwards Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene.
Islanders center Casey Cizikas blocked three shots during the Predators’ two-man advantage, taking one shot off the arm and appearing temporarily in pain. The Predators did not score on the power play.
Scary moment
The third period Thursday featured a truly scary moment as Cal Clutterbuck rushed off the ice to the Islanders’ room at 14:47 after being cut by Patrice Bergeron’s skate blade, seemingly near his wrist.
The Islanders did not have an immediate update on Clutterbuck’s status.
“All I have right now is he’s gone to the hospital for evaluation,” Trotz said. “I think he’s getting stitched up. Hopefully, it’s not too serious, but those are always scary when the skate comes up.”
Isles files
Right wing Tom Kuhnhackl was on ice for 11:26 without a shot in his first NHL game since injuring his left leg at Ottawa on Oct. 25. His return meant Leo Komarov went back to being a healthy scratch after logging 11:37 without a shot on Tuesday on Brock Nelson’s right wing with Anthony Beauvillier. Trotz moved Josh Bailey to that spot while putting Kuhnhackl on Derick Brassard’s right wing along with Ross Johnston. It marked the first time in seven games the burly left wing did not start on Mathew Barzal’s top line. Instead, Trotz reunited Anders Lee and right wing Jordan Eberle with Barzal . . . Rookie defenseman Noah Dobson also was a healthy scratch . . . Right wing Michael Dal Colle (upper body) missed his second game but continued to skate on his own at the Islanders’ practice facility . . . Semyon Varlamov’s start pushed the franchise-record goalie rotation to start the season to 33 games.
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.
