Head coach Barry Trotz of the Islanders watches from the bench during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 17, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. Credit: Getty Images/Christian Petersen
The most telling conversation Barry Trotz had as his Islanders lost all four games of a Western road trip in regulation while scoring just two goals came in Arizona.
Some Coyotes’ personnel noted to the coach how much not having to play against injured fourth-liners Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck impacted the Islanders’ 2-1 loss on Monday.
“They notice the Cizikas line is not there,” Trotz said.