Islanders' Mathew Barzal (13) celebrates his goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photo Credit: AP/JOHN WOODS
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Paul Maurice was trying to pay the Islanders a compliment, indicating how they stifled opponents defensively with their “heavy” style.
But when the Jets coach said, “they’ve got a high-end offensive line. They’ve got almost three checking lines and an offensive line,” he also spoke the truth of top-line center Mathew Barzal’s absolute importance to any Islanders’ success.
Barzal scored two goals, one on the power play, in Thursday night’s come-from-behind 3-1 win at Winnipeg.