Patrick Roy Swapping Barzal and Holmstrom on NY Islanders Top Power Play

On Saturday, the Islanders erupted for five unanswered 2nd period goals in a massive matinee comeback win over the Florida Panthers.

One of those goals came from the Islanders top power play unit. Mat Barzal drew a trip from Florida's Gus Forsling after an extended shift for the Isles superstar. Patrick Roy sat Barzal to catch his breath and sent Simon Holmstrom up to the top unit to start the man advantage.

Matthew Schaefer layed a puck off for Holmstrom who's snapeshot beat Daniil Tarasaov from 52 feet out giving the Islanders their first lead of the afternoon. Emil Heineman and Casey Cizikas would add red lights of their own in an onslaught middle period effort for the Islanders which saw them skate into the third period with a 5-2 lead. A lead backboned by Ilya Sorokin that the Islanders did not give up. A 5-2 final from Elmont saw the Islanders jump back into that 2nd spot in the Metropolitian Division just a point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Those very Pittsburgh Penguins will clash with the Islanders tonight on Long Island in a crucial four point battle in the phone-booth tight Eastern conference playoff race.

Patrick Roy is keeping his lines intact from Saturday skating Brayden Schenn up the middle flanked by Mat Barzal and Cal Ritchie. However, Mat Barzal will remain off that top power play unit for the Islanders. Patrick Roy said this morning that he liked the way it looked, explained Saturday's situation, and will keep it the same tonight.

Ilya Sorokin will be in the net for the Islanders while Evgeni Malkin will miss his 4th straight game with an upper body injury. Sidney Crosby is a game time decision. The puck drops at 7PM from Elmont.