Mathew Barzal says NHL game is slowing down for him
Mathew Barzal of the Islanders skates against Phillip Danault of the Montreal Canadiens at Barclays Center on Mar. 2, 2018 in New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
CALGARY, Alberta — Mathew Barzal’s offensive game is built on puck control and creativity, but the rookie said that during the past month or so, the NHL game has begun to slow down for him, which has helped him become a more rounded player.
“I think in the last 10 games or so, my complete game has been the best it has been so far this season, just back-checking, trying to steal more pucks, that kind of stuff,” he said before Sunday’s game. “The coaches want me to be one of the top offensive guys but also reliable on defense, and I’m trying to do that lately.”
Ladd skates with Barzal
Doug Weight tweaked his lines for Sunday’s game against the Flames, flipping Andrew Ladd and Anthony Beauvillier. He put Ladd back with early-season linemates Barzal and Jordan Eberle and had Beauvillier with Brock Nelson and Tanner Fritz. He also dressed Ross Johnston on the fourth line, replacing Chris Wagner.
Weight again went with Christopher Gibson in goal, his second consecutive start and third on the four-game trip. He lost in overtime in Pittsburgh and in a shootout in Edmonton.
“He’s trying to get his traction and get the feel of the league,” Weight said. “He’s been thrown into the fire, but I think it is especially [because] he’s played well that we give him an opportunity to go back and, like I said, get a little traction and some feel. He’s really competed well.”
Home away from home
The Islanders’ long trip to Western Canada served as a homecoming for many players. Their roster is among the most heavily Canadian in the NHL, with a large number of Western Canadians in the group.
Of the 19 players who were set to appear in Sunday’s game, 15 were born in Canada — eight in Western Canada — three in the United States and one in Europe. And that one, Gibson, moved to Canada from Finland when he was 15 and has lived here since.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
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