Islanders: Three keys to getting Mathew Barzal back on track

1 of 3

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (13). (Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports) /

New York Islanders Mathew Barzal hasn’t been at his best for a while now. How can he fix that to get to where he needs to be?

Mathew Barzal has been quiet of late. The New York Islanders star center has a single point over his last five games. And sadly the way Barzal goes, so do the Islanders.

The team has enough depth to pull out wins here are there even if Barzal is on a cold streak, but it’s typically a more labored victory without number 13 pulling the strings in the offensive zone. So it’s no coincidence that the Islanders have gone 2-2-1 over their last five games.

Getting Barzal up to his usual self has to be one of the New York Islanders top priorities at the moment.

I know that strong defensive play is the hallmark of a Barry Trotz system and it’s what has brought the Islanders so much success since he arrived. But, it’s also true that without offense you can’t win games.

So how does Mathew Barzal get back to his best?

Shoot

Mathew barzal is averaging less than two shots on goal per game over his last eight outings. That’s just not enough. Barzal is at his most effective when he’s getting more pucks on the net.

Truth be told that goes for just about every player in the NHL. The more pucks on the net the more they produce. Usually.

A certain portion of this can be attributed to linemates. They clearly aren’t helping in creating shooting lanes for Barzal to shoot at. (More on his linemates in a second).

But at a certain point, it’s up to Barzal to find a way to goal. He certainly has enough of the puck during the game to get these pucks on the net, even if they are from relatively lower scoring areas.

Shoot for a rebound and perhaps Loe, who’s crashing to the net can get out past the goalie. The point is to get more shots on net it sounds simple because it really is just that simple.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 14: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Better Wingers

It’s the first thing you probably said the second you read the title for this article. And you aren’t wrong. Mathew Barzal needs to play with better players than Leo Komarov or Travis Zajac.

Uncle Leo can be a very useful role player in the bottom six, but pulling him out of the element and into a top-line role where creating offense is to some degree his primary function doesn’t work. Sure, people can point to the underlying WOWY stats that Barzal shares with Komarov. If you haven’t seen them Barzal is apparently better with Komarov than without.

But it’s clearly not working when Barzal has a single point over his last five while averaging exactly to shots on goal per game. With all due respect to Leo Komarov, he just isn’t bringing enough to the line. His inclusion forces Barzal to pick up more responsibility than he needs to.

The other day I looked at a few options for the top line based on what those players have done this season at an individual level. The best option seems like Wahlstrom. Though he’ll have to get out of Trotz’s dog house first.

The next best option is Brock Nelson. Pulling him up to the top line gives Barzal another set of capable hands to play with and a considerable goal threat.

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handle bench duties against the New Jersey Devils at Nassau Coliseum on January 21, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Play the Barry Way (More)

You’ll probably say: “isn’t he already doing that?” Looking at his stats certainly tells you he is. After winning a Calder Trophy in 2017-18 with 85 points in 82 Barzal has dropped to the 60 point range. This year is essentially the same. He’s on pace for 67 point.

But there’s certainly more that he can do. Specifically, getting the puck in deep when he doesn’t have a better option. That type of play was painfully clear against the Caps on Saturday.

Watch how on Sprong’s goal Barzal gains the red line but doubles back when he realizes his lane to the O-zone is blocked. A turnover is created and the puck is in the back of the net.

That type of play happens at least a few times per game. If it’s not in the neutral zone, then it happens in the O-zone when two defenders collapse on his and take away his time and space. A play that almost always results in a turnover and the loss of possession.

The better play is to get deep in the O-zone for a winger to retrieve.

I know this fix doesn’t equate to more production. But Barzal the ‘fix’ for Barzal might just be getting back to basics. Do the simple things well and do as Oliver Wahlstrom would say at the start of the year: “fall in love with your entire game”.

Doing that should yield more.

Home / Editorials