The stage is set for the Islanders, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, with Game 1 of their first-round series against the Penguins set for Wednesday night at the Coliseum. As the spotlight searches the arena for a leading man, it will eventually focus on No. 13 in the home-blue sweater — and whether that’s good or bad is up to Mat Barzal.
The Islanders’ 21-year-old center is the reigning Calder Trophy winner, who spent a season under first-year coach Barry Trotz learning that he can’t win every game by himself. Even as the accolades kept coming, including his first All-Star appearance, Barzal constantly talked about just wanting to make the playoffs.