Barzal & All-Star New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/pierre-engvall-new-york-islanders-toronto-maple-leafs] forward Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-nhl-all-star-game-2024-media-dobson] had a strong showing throughout the 2024 NHL All-Star weekend. He went neck and neck with Connor McDavid through the Skills Competition before a six-point effort through two All-Star Games to help Team Matthews win $1 million. Against Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday night, Barzal showed off his All-Star skillset to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 10:31 of the first period. After picking up a loose puck after a drop pass from Anders Lee in the neutral zone, Barzal put on the jets, protecting the puck as he broke over the Maple Leafs blue line before peeling back. Mike Reilly tapped his stick, and Barzal fed him before the one-time shot hit the post. Guess who was the first one on the loose puck? Yep, Barzal, who crashed the slot after the pass and tapped home the puck to extend his point streak to a modest three games with two goals and two assists.
