Islanders head coach Barry Trotz watches from the bench during the third period of the game at the NYCB LIVE's Nassau Coliseum on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. Photo Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Barry Trotz wasn’t kidding.
The Islanders coach said before Saturday night’s game against the Florida Panthers at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum he “absolutely” was thinking of shuffling his lines to spark more five-on-five offense.
The top line of Mathew Barzal centering captain Anders Lee and right wing Jordan Eberle remained intact. But that was it.
The identity fourth line was completely broken up, with center Casey Cizikas missing his second straight game and left wing Matt Martin a healthy scratch for the first time this season.