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New York Islanders Five Most Important Players for 2019 Playoffs

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: The New York Islanders celebrate a 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 30, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. With the win, the Islanders qualify for the league playoffs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: The New York Islanders celebrate a 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 30, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. With the win, the Islanders qualify for the league playoffs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders skates against the Washington Capitals at the Barclays Center on September 28, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Brock Nelson

We’ve run out of ways to discuss the impact that Brock Nelson has had on the New York Islanders this season. He’s finally become a dependable player for the New York Islanders. It’s unfortunate that it took the arrival of Barry Trotz for that potential to manifest itself.

Brock has become one of Barry Trotz’s most trusted players because while coaching from the other side Barry saw a better player (subscription required) than whoever was coaching the Islanders:

"“I said, ‘I always looked at you as an opposing coach and I thought you had more,’” Trotz said on Saturday. “‘I don’t know you, I’m not with you day in and day out, but I always thought there was more.’”"

Brock is going to be asked to do a lot. From creating offense to also trying to keep one of Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin quite during the series. Again, two players who average over a point-per-game in the playoffs.

But Brock has shown some considerable success this season in playing a 200-foot role under Barry Trotz. He’s was more involved defensively, he could move the puck up the ice from the defensive zone, and put up a career high in points with 53.

Barry Trotz has put faith in Brock Nelson all season and it’s worked. He will obviously continue to do so in playoffs.

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