Mathew Barzal of the Islanders celebrates his second-period goal against the Lightning with teammate Derick Brassard at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Friday. Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac
Mathew Barzal will always consider himself a “pass-first guy,” a playmaker who creates opportunities for his teammates.
Still, he had the design of his CCM stick changed this season to help him score more goals.
“I just made it a little whippier and changed my curve a little bit, put a little more hook on it,” Barzal said. “Not too drastic, just a little nick on it. It gives me a little toe to suck it in and shoot it a little better.