SUNRISE, Fla. — Marek Zidlicky in for the injured Ryan Pulock on defense wasn’t a big surprise. Perhaps the shock came up front for the Islanders in Game 5 Friday night, with Ryan Strome a healthy scratch and veteran Steve Bernier taking Strome’s spot in the lineup for the crucial game.
Strome had a goal and assist in Game 1 but had been scoreless the next three. His primary line, with rookies Shane Prince and Alan Quine, had been pretty effective in limited minutes the first four games, but Jack Capuano decided to keep struggling veterans Josh Bailey and Nikolay Kulemin in the lineup for Game 5.