Mathew Barzal #13 of the Islanders celebrates his second period goal against the Buffalo Sabres at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, Mar. 6, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Here’s a statistic that runs counter to the Islanders’ reputation for lacking offense in their defensive-minded system under coach Barry Trotz: They were the only team in the NHL to have five players with nine or more goals entering Tuesday night’s game against the Bruins at Nassau Coliseum.
True, 15 goals spread equally in their three-game sweep of the last-place Sabres, completed with Sunday’s third straight 5-2 win at the Coliseum, helps on the scoresheet.