RALEIGH, N.C. — If this was Jordan Staal’s idea of initiating Mat Barzal to playoff hockey, then the young Islander couldn’t have been more receptive.
For when the 30-year-old Carolina captain delivered not one, not two, not even as few as three or four crosschecks to the 21-year-old Islanders center as they jostled for position at the Canes’ goalmouth with 4:10 remaining in the first period of Sunday’s Game 2 at Barclays Center, Barzal was only too happy to respond with some lumber of his own.
“Personally, I really enjoyed it,” Barzal told The Post, his face cracking into a wide-open smile, following Tuesday’s practice back home.