PHOTO: Dennis DaSilva / New York Islanders
With Mathew Barzal unavailable to start the season, we knew the New York Islanders’ lines would likely change a few times before he returned.
There was a game plan…
For Simon Holmstrom to get a good look on the top line after showing he had offensive potential in his toolbox.
For Cal Ritchie to start as the second-line center and prove that he could play a reliable two-way game down the middle.
For rookie Victor Eklund to get a feel for the NHL alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
For the Islanders’ fourth line to be an offensive unit that could provide much-needed secondary scoring.
Holmstrom–Horvat–Palmieri
Heineman–Ritchie–Schenn
Maccelli–Pageau–Eklund
Palat–Cizikas–Duclair
Plans change, and they did pretty quickly in Toronto.