Patrick Roy’s decision to mix up the lines in a big way by combining Brock Nelson, Mat Barzal, and Bo Horvat paid off tonight - but probably not in the way anyone expected. While all three of them never really dominated the game at any point, the Islanders’ supporting cast contributed to lock down one point in regulation. And then a monster shift from Barzal in overtime helped lead to Horvat’s game winner, just how they drew it all up.
There’s still a lot to be desired with how the New York Islanders have been playing, especially given how they looked completely lost for a large stretch of the third period in a tie game.