It’ll be two teams playing out the string on Sunday evening at Barclays Center as the Islanders host the Hurricanes.
But Islanders coach Doug Weight downplayed any speculation that putting captain John Tavares on a line with Mathew Barzal, with the rookie nominally in the middle and Tavares on left wing, is a glimpse into what the lineup might look like next season if Tavares leaves via free agency.
“I guess that’s what fans do and what people outside the game do,” Weight said. “They’re going to critique and judge and maybe get into your head. It’s nothing like that.