Mathew Barzal of the Islanders looks on late in the third period against the Washington Capitals at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Saturday Jan. 18, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The in-season vacation was welcome, even necessary. The Islanders readily admitted to physical and mental exhaustion when they headed into their 10-day All-Star Game/bye week break.
Some players went to Arizona. Some traveled to the Caribbean. One went to Iceland. Mathew Barzal was in St. Louis for his second straight All-Star Game.
But well-rested can’t become overly-rusted as the Islanders battle to maintain a playoff spot.