Islanders at Blues preview: No Tavares? No problem

Billy Hurst-USA TODAY SportsLast off-season was a whirlwind for Islanders fans. Their franchise center, John Tavares, left in free agency to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Losing a superstar for nothing dampened the enthusiasm the fanbase felt for Rookie of the Year Mathew Barzal, who had scored 22 goals and added 63 assists (!) for them the year prior.

The addition of Barry Trotz as coach was a silver lining, and one that fans should be feeling pretty good about now. Barzal’s off to the All-Star Game in San Jose, and has six goals in his last eight games. The Islanders are 22-13-4 as of right now, good enough for being one point out of a playoff spot in the East (and third in the…