COLUMBUS, Ohio — First, Barry Trotz spoke one-on-one to the players on the Islanders’ second line. Then, the coach altered that trio for Thursday night’s key Metropolitan Division matchup against the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Tom Kuhnhackl took rookie Michael Dal Colle’s spot on Mathew Barzal’s left wing along with Josh Bailey after Trotz described the line as “disconnected” in Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss at Buffalo.
But it’s not likely Trotz – who made a point after Tuesday’s game and Thursday’s morning skate to insist he didn’t need to sit anybody – was targeting Dal Colle as the issue.