The Islanders were clinging to their one-goal lead in the third period of Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Wild when center Mathew Barzal got tangled along the boards with Minnesota's Joel Eriksson Ek.
A frustrated Barzal retaliated by striking out at Eriksson Ek and was called for roughing at 8:29, leaving coach Barry Trotz none too happy.
“For two periods we gave up nothing until we took the penalty in the third, and then they had a little push,” Trotz said. “That’s something we still have to learn. We had a goal lead, there’s no need for any retaliation penalties.