New York Islanders: Barry Trotz Open To Lineup Changes

After digging themselves into a 3-0 series hole, the New York Islanders are pondering lineup changes including a change in net.

The New York Islanders have their backs up against the wall and are a desperate team in a 3-0 series hole. They need to do something desperate in order to get back into this series. Barry Trotz said he’s considering lineup changes.

While shaking up the forward lines absolutely makes sense, they’ve scored just three goals in the first three games, making changes at other positions doesn’t make too much sense.

Even though Thomas Hickey has struggled on the blue line there’s no way you are scratching him for an ice cold Luca Sbisa or Dennis Seidenberg. Sbisa played just nine games this year, the last one coming on January 12.

As for Dennis Seidenberg, he was on a PTO for most of the year and hasn’t played a game since April of 2018. So a switch on defense doesn’t seem to make much sense.

Trotz is also mulling over a potential goalie switch. Why some believe that this will spark the team makes little sense to me. First, Robin Lehner has been amazing in the playoffs, leading the way with a .946 save percentage and a 1.69 goals against average. That’s the best in the league.

As much as I like Thomas Greiss he hasn’t played in four weeks. The Islanders can’t afford to put a rusty goalie in net in a do-or-die game.

Scratch Tom Kuhnhackl in favor of Michael Dal Colle and call it day. The offense needs a spark, tinkering with the defense or goalie (the best part of this team) doesn’t make a lot of sense.

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