Mandatory Photo Credit:© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
(Elmont, NY) – Although the Islanders acquired Bo Horvat over a year ago, he still feels like a relatively new addition in New York.
Maybe that’s because the talent-laden top line he’s now a part of has yet to fully dominate – at least as far as the high bar fellow forward Matthew Barzal is setting.
Ahead of the Islanders’ loss Thursday, Barzal admitted he’d like to see his team’s top line play more like the guys that key the offensive attack for the perennial Stanley Cup contending Tampa Bay Lighting. “That line is hard, hard to play against,” Barzal said. “When we play them, they’ve always caused problems for us.”
The Isles had been on a hot streak before suffering back-to-back losses. Barzal likely sensed the interview was going in a negative direction – precisely because some have admitted they want to see more production from New York’s top line.
His comments alluded to the recent six-game winning streak, as he noted head coach Patrick Roy switched up the forward group leading into that stretch.
Still, Barzal admits he wants more: “I don’t think there’s been one game yet where there’s been a full 60 minutes — maybe the San Jose game — but a full 60 minutes where it’s just domination. There’s still a little bit of growing together. It’s different.”
But Barzal also sounds like he’s taking ownership of the situation and challenging himself to improve.
“I gotta do a better job respecting Nelly when he has the puck and Bo when he has the puck and being that guy who gets to the net. I gotta get to the net a little bit more and let them play a give-and-go game down low. Vice versa, when me and Bo are playing, Nelly’s there. But I think the overall picture’s been solid.”
Entering play on Friday, the Islanders clinging to the last playoff spot in the East.
