NY Islanders new look top line found some instant magic in pre-season debut

Well, that went even better than expected.

You never know how quickly chemistry will develop. Sometimes, it takes weeks or months, and sometimes, it simply never materializes at all. Optimism and intrigue surrounded the New York Islanders' new top line heading into Tuesday's pre-season tilt with the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and the early results were very encouraging.

Anthony Duclair and Mathew Barzal scored on a give-and-go in the first period, providing a glimpse of the "magic" that Duclair spoke of them creating at the team's golf outing to start training camp. Barzal scored twice, with Duclair assisting on both of them, and Bo Horvat added an unassisted goal for himself later as the Isles built a 3-0 lead. Overall, the line combined for three goals and two assists in their first game action as a line.

"The top line played very well,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said after the game. “They were very good offensively and defensively. I'm very happy about the way they played."

The chemistry of Barzal and Horvat, which was delayed due to Barzal's injury in February of the 2022-23 season, formed last year as Barzal transitioned to wing. However, the opposite wing was a rotation throughout the year, starting with Simon Holmstrom, ending with Casey Cizikas and even having Brock Nelson be part of an all center top line for a stretch of the second-half.

Having Duclair provides an opportunity for stability on the first line throughout the year, something the Isles have rarely had in recent seasons. “He’s easy to play with, always open,” Barzal said of Duclair. “I thought he did a good job with forechecking. He's a bigger guy than I thought, he was good with winning battles and getting in the corners. He’s not afraid to hang onto it down there. I think that's going to be the key for our line, just turning pucks over and transition game.”

There will soon be more of this first line to see, and more of a chance for them to show us what they can do together, but the first impression made a mark and provided a glimpse of what may be something special on Long Island.