Mathew Barzal #13 of the Islanders skates with the puck during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mathew Barzal turned 24 on Wednesday, which meant he no longer can be considered a young, rising star in the NHL. Instead, he should now be thought of as a star in his prime.
Barzal, who led the Islanders in scoring in the regular season, was tied for fifth on the team in scoring in the postseason entering Game 6 of the Isles’ first-round series Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Coliseum, with three assists in the series’ first five games.