Barry Trotz’s lineup decisions paid off extremely well in the Islanders’ 4-0 Game 1 over the Flyers on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
He kept both burly Ross Johnston and agitating Leo Komarov in the lineup, placing them on third-line center Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s wings. Komarov and Johnston’s forecheck led to Pageau’s third-period goal and Johnston had a game-high 10 hits.
“Those two guys bring their 110% every day, every night, ever practice day,” Pageau said.
Derick Brassard remained a healthy scratch and Michael Dal Colle came out of the lineup with Cal Clutterbuck returning to the fourth line after a one-game absence because of an undisclosed injury.