GLENDALE, Ariz. – Barry Trotz didn’t broadcast any lineup decisions, running a high-tempo, 30-minute practice Friday at Gila River Arena without line rushes.
So, whether the coach keeps his longstanding second line together for Saturday night’s game against the Coyotes as the Islanders (1-2-1) continue a 13-game road trip, or, as he hinted he would do after Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime loss at Columbus, break up the slow-starting trio will remain a team secret until the puck drops.
"I’m settled," Trotz said of Saturday’s lineup. "We just didn’t do anything that was line related."
So, surely Trotz has informed Brock Nelson and wings Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey as to their immediate future after saying on Thursday, "their line hasn’t been really good the last couple of games…their analytics were terrible.