The New York Islanders may have discovered platinum in a gold mine. The quality of the players in the Isles minors system is well known throughout the league. The jaw-droppingly awesome play that’s been exhibited by the Islanders patchwork second line since Andrew Ladd has been out injured is what’s been the surprise.
Mathew Barzal, with his head-turning skating and puckhandling skills, has thrived playing alongside Andrew Ladd and Jordan Eberle on the Islanders second line this season. Ladd’s leadership and Eberle’s ability to put himself in the middle of anything good that happens while he’s on the ice make the Isles second line arguably the most important piece of this team.