Mathew Barzal is the Islanders’ leading scorer, which has been the case since his rookie season.
But the top-line center also is leading the team with 24 penalty minutes and was in the penalty box for high sticking when Kevin Hayes scored the power-play overtime winner in the Islanders’ 4-3 loss on Sunday night in Philadelphia.
It was his second minor penalty of the night — and seventh of the season — following a second-period holding call against Hayes.
"Yeah, absolutely," coach Barry Trotz said when asked if it was concerning. "He’s taken some untimely ones.