New York Islanders 3 Takeaways from 3-1 Loss to Buffalo Sabres

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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 29: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Barzal Needs Some Help

In the third period, being a goal down the New York Islanders needed a spark. They needed a player to deliver a moment of brilliance to pull the Islanders out of their malaise.

Mathew Barzal delivered that spark for the Islanders. For a good minute (it felt like longer) Barzal had the puck seemingly glued to his stick in the Buffalo zone. Even after shooting the puck on net, Barzal was right there to battle in the corner and retrieve it.

Barzal’s brilliance in creating scoring chances usually means that one of his teammates find an open space to bury in a goal. Usually that’s the case. Not this time.

His two linemates, Josh Bailey and Michael Dal Colle, were seemingly just watching the show unfold in front of them. The did very little to help Barzal retrieve the puck or even open up lanes for him to exploit. Barzal did it all on his own.

Barzal got back to the bench and cut a very frustrated figure. And rightfully so. He did everything possible to get a goal and his linemates provided very little assistance.

I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but a trade to bring in another top six winger for Mathew Barzal needs to happen yesterday. There’s only so much Barzal can do on his own.

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Whether that’s bringing in Artemi Panarin, Mark Stone, Tyler Toffoli, or another option. Barzal needs a proven NHL top six player to play with as soon as humanly possible.