SAN JOSE, Calif. — There’s still a learning curve for Barry Trotz as he gets to know his new team.
But after trying to separate the puck-handling skills of Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle in the hopes of bettering two lines, the Islanders coach has reunited them in an effort to coax more production out of his top-six forwards.
Barzal had Eberle on his right wing for the second straight game as the Islanders concluded a four-game road trip against the Sharks on Saturday night at SAP Center. The two were a potent pair last season on a line completed either by Anthony Beauvillier or Andrew Ladd as Barzal won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year with 22 goals and 63 assists in 82 games.