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Islanders: 5 things we learned in 16 game point streak

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: The New York Islanders celebrate their 4-3 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime and with the victory, (the Islanders are 15-0-1 since Oct. 12) extended their point streak to a franchise-record 16 games. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: The New York Islanders celebrate their 4-3 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime and with the victory, (the Islanders are 15-0-1 since Oct. 12) extended their point streak to a franchise-record 16 games. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Barry Trotz, head coach of the New York Islanders tends to the bench during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Barry Trotz, head coach of the New York Islanders tends to the bench during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Barry Trotz is a Genius

I’m sure you already knew that Barry Trotz was a genius. After all, he won the Jack Adams in 2019 for his genius in guiding the New York Islanders to a 103 point season.

Since the Islanders hired him he’s proven that top-level coaching isn’t just another expense in the NHL, it’s a vital addition to a championship-caliber team. Rather than gush about his work in general, I want to bring up a few key choices that Barry Trotz made to show his true genius

Derick Brassard

It just wasn’t working for the veteran forward on the third line. With linemates Leo Komarov and Michael Dal Colle, Brassard was anonymous through the first few games of the Islanders season.

But on October 24 the Islanders needed help up top. Jordan Eberle was out with injury, so Trotz moved Brassard up to the second line winger role and Brassard exploded to life.

Playing with Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson on the second line, Brass has 15 points through the Islanders 16 game streak. Including a five-game goal streak of his own.

The move has totally reinvigorated his season and given the Islanders a top-six option they previously didn’t have going into the 2019-20 season.

Josh Bailey

With Jordan Eberle back and Brassard on fire, Barry Trotz has been forced to use Josh Bailey all over the lineup. Including as a sub for Jordan Eberle when the top-line needed a shake-up against the Penguins on November 19.

Down two goals with a few minutes left, Trotz bumped Bailey up and Bailey almost immediately scored to get the Isles within a goal. Pulock would tie the game a minute and change later. But the shakeup is what sparked the Isles to life.

Trotz just seems to know what buttons need to be pushed and when they need to be pushed. There’s no wonder why a panel of NHL.com writers favored Trotz for the Jack Adams.

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