Islanders: Three internal lineup options after Anders Lee injury

Michael Dal Colle to the top line

Before you get upset, know that I’m not just pulling this one out of nowhere. According to NaturalStatTrick’s post-game report from Thursday, after Lee left the game in the first period, Michael Dal Colle took a few reps with Barzal and Eberle. The three played 2:33 of 5on5 time on Thursday. Here’s how that could look:

Dal Colle-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Komarov-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

The second line remained virtually untouched yesterday and the fourth line remained intact all night long. The trio of Beau-Nelson-Bailey played 7:10 at 5on5 while the fourth line was on the ice for 12:10 of 5on5 time. So Barry will likely opt to keep that up for the sake of consistency.

Michael Dal Colle on the top line would be an interesting move, he isn’t putting up points, but he’s played well enough to stay in the lineup. He’s a big guy who could be a good net-front player. But it would be one heck of a leap to think he could replace what Anders Lee gives the Islanders.

Barry tried it so it wouldn’t surprise me if he does so again.

Leo slots into the third line LW role next to Pageau and Wahlstrom because while I may have given the role to Czarnik earlier, Leo is certainly the next man up off the taxi squad for the Isles and not Czarnik.