Defenseman Adam Pelech and rookie left wing Michael Dal Colle returned to the Islanders’ lineup for Sunday night’s game against the NHL-leading Lightning at Barclays Center, though coach Barry Trotz had different reasons for initially taking them out.
Dal Colle, 22, was a healthy scratch the previous two games because Trotz wanted Ross Johnston’s brawn in the lineup as the Islanders split a home-and-home series with the rival Rangers. Pelech’s absence in favor of seldom-used Luca Sbisa in Saturday’s 2-1 loss in Brooklyn was performance-related.
“I just thought Pelly has another level to his game,” Trotz said.