Barry Trotz is OK with Islanders taking late icing calls
Islanders coach Barry Trotz talks to some players against the Penguins at Barclays Center on Nov. 1. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
NEWARK — With Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid off for an extra skater, the Islanders iced the puck three times in the final 1:32 of regulation of their 4-3 overtime win on Friday as Anders Lee and Cal Clutterbuck shot at the empty net from their own zone.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz approves of that strategy, even though Marcus Johansson tied the score with 10.2 seconds left after a faceoff in the Islanders’ zone caused by an icing.
“Unless you’ve got some room [to skate], I’ll take those chances,” Trotz said. “There’s no right or wrong answer.”
Boychuk mending
Defenseman Johnny Boychuk left the ice gingerly and headed to the Islanders’ dressing room at 17:59 of the second period after taking an unpenalized cross-check from Travis Zajac. But Boychuk was on the ice to start the third period.
“He hit me in the ribs,” Boychuk said. “But it’s fine. It wasn’t dirty, it was just the right spot.”
Good laugh
Trotz earned some knowing chuckles when he was asked if it’s exciting to watch freewheeling center Mathew Barzal in a three-on-three overtime.
“Well, it depends,” Trotz said. “With the puck or without? With the puck, when he’s got a step on a guy, I get pretty excited.”
Isles files
Trotz said there is a chance that goalie Thomas Greiss will start again Saturday night against the Hurricanes . . . Defenseman Nick Leddy scored his first goal in 32 games, dating to March 11 . . . Boston College denied, via Twitter, reports that right wing Oliver Wahlstrom, selected 11th overall by the Islanders in June, is leaving to play junior hockey. He was in Boston College’s lineup on Friday.
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.