Out came the skill and in went the muscle. And it seemed to work.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz decided to scratch talented rookie Michael Dal Colle and dress the monstrous Ross Johnston for what would turn out to be his team’s 4-3 win over the Rangers on Thursday night at the Garden.
Johnston had been the one who goaded a reluctant Cody McLeod, on the night before Thanksgiving, into a fight that ended with McLeod breaking his hand and missing more than a month. Rangers coach David Quinn then put McLeod in the starting lineup Thursday, and he tried to fight Matt Martin off the opening faceoff.