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New York Islanders Five Bold Predictions for 2019-20 NHL Season

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 28, 2019 in Uniondale City. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 28, 2019 in Uniondale City. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 23: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders celebrates his game winning goal with teammates Anthony Beauvillier #18 and Ryan Pulock #6 in overtime as Keith Kinkaid #1 the New Jersey Devils skates off at Prudential Center on November 23, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 23: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders celebrates his game winning goal with teammates Anthony Beauvillier #18 and Ryan Pulock #6 in overtime as Keith Kinkaid #1 the New Jersey Devils skates off at Prudential Center on November 23, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Mathew Barzal to Score 90 Points

Since the playoffs, Mathew Barzal has been absolutely on fire. In the postseason the sophomore center scored seven points in eight games. When it mattered the most, he was one of the New York Islanders top producers.

And that top-level production has continued in the pre-season. In four games Barzal has seven points (two goals and five helpers). He’s been that dominant player we saw back in his rookie year where he scored 85 points.

Just five points short of where I think he can be in the 2019-20 season.

Much like Eberle, we’ve seen Barzal be that player we all saw a few years ago. Yes, Barry Trotz runs a defensive system, but he also lets his offensive players do what they do best.

Alex Ovechkin found new life under Trotz. He put up 87 points in 2017-18, his highest total since 2009-10 when he scored 109 points.

So long as offensive players remember their defensive responsibilities, Trotz is fine to let them fly. Something Mathew Barzal has shown he can do.

Barzal made that 85 point rookie season look effortless. The way he dominated defenses and create space for him and his linemates was remarkable. Can he get back to that this season? Absolutely. Can he be better? Again yes he can.

We know the New York Islanders power play will be better this season. Last season, on a power play that averaged a 14.5 percent efficiency Barzal scored 18 points (three goals and 15 assists). That’s nine points lower than his rookie season. Can he make up that nine points? Of course, he can.

Am I expecting too much from Barzal? Maybe just a little. Making up 28 points from last season is a big undertaking. But if there’s one player on the Islanders roster who can do that, it’s Mathew Barzal.

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