Barry Trotz likened finding the right line combinations to figuring out a Rubik’s Cube.
"A Rubik’s Cube would probably be a better analogy to that than a puzzle," the Islanders coach said. "I’m just trying to get a little more production out of the lines."
At the core is how to coax the most production out of Mathew Barzal and his top line, whoever might be on it.
The Islanders concluded a three-game series against the Capitals on Tuesday night in Washington after a 1-0 shootout loss at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday and a 6-3 home defeat two nights later in which they were outscored 6-0 at even strength.