EXCLUSIVE: Islanders Barzal & Horvat Discuss Defensive Issues

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders haven't had a true dynamic duo since the Stanley Cup years, but that was supposed to change this season with Mathew Barzal skating alongside Bo Horvat.

It's been a mixed bag for the duo nine games into the season. 

The two have combined for just two goals at five-on-five play (been on the ice for three) and have been on the ice for two goals against.

While being on the ice for two goals against in 103:34 isn't that bad, the concern from head coach Lane Lambert is the trading of chances. 

Despite the Islanders outshooting their opponents 69-64 when No. 13 and No. 14 are on the ice, they've been out-chanced 81-62, as goaltending has saved them on more than a few occasions. 

Before we go any further, it's important to note that the duo started the season alongside Simon Holmstrom, with Barzal on the left (more comfortable). 

That threesome played three games together, outshooting their opponents 23-14, out-chancing them 17-16, with no goals for either side. 

Lambert then shifted gears, elevating Anders Lee to the first line after a stint on the third line ahead of a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, moving Barzal back to the right (less comfortable). 

Since Lee has been on that line for the last five games, the Islanders have still outshot their opponents, 43-32, allowing two goals while scoring two themselves, but this is where the scoring chance differential has grown exponentially, being out-chanced 50-38 in 52:04 as a line. 

On Oct. 28, in what became a 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Lambert didn't think that his top line was providing enough of a spark, electing to remove Barzal from that line and swap him with Oliver Wahlstrom at the end of the second period, up 1-0.

On Oct. 30, in what became a 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Lambert wasn't thrilled with the defensive play of his top line, yet again making that same switch to start the third, up 1-0. 

That change, unlike in Columbus, cost the Islanders the game. Despite getting a second goal early in the third courtesy of Brock Nelson, their two-goal lead was squandered almost immediately after the changes. 

"I don't think we've been on for more than two goals, maybe. So we had some chances. Our goalies have bailed us out a couple of times, but I mean, I think, chance for chance, we're definitely out-weighing the other side," Barzal said back on Tuesday when THN asked about the latest line changes. "It is what it is. I mean, Lane's the coach, and he knows what he's doing. 

"So sometimes that switch-up can work the other way, and you switch up the line, and they go and score and just that little move can flip it that way."

Lambert elected to keep the Lee-Horvat-Barzal line together for the entirety of the Islanders' 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals in a game where that line was out-chanced 6-4, tied 3-3 in shots, with no goals. 

Following Saturday's morning skate, The Hockey News spoke with Barzal and Horvat to get their takes on their defensive play and how they can improve. 

"I feel like Bo is doing a good job with it," Barzal told THN. "I feel like I gotta maybe buckle down a little bit, but I feel like it's not been bad."

How can Barzal say that when the numbers say something different? That's because numbers don't tell the whole story. 

"It's just when we are in the defensive zone, we're not getting out of the zone," Barzal said. "So we got to find a way to get those transition pucks."

Yes, this line has turned the puck over, with Barzal averaging 1.44 giveaways per game (1.17 last season in 58 games). But, as Barzal said, if you can't get out of your zone, that means the opposition will out-chance you night after night. 

THN asked Horvat what he thinks the issue has been defensively. 

"There's always things we're going to work on. There are always things that we can get better at," Horvat told THN. "But I mean, for the most part, I think we have maybe one or two shifts. where we've got caught in our own ends a couple of times, but I think it's just a matter of communication for us. And I think if we talk a little bit more on our end, we will sort it out a little bit better.

Don't worry, we didn't forget to ask about the back-to-back games with line changes. 

"It's pretty standard, I think," Barzal said about moving around a bit. "I've been with everybody for a while now. So I don't think it really changes too much."

"I mean, it's just the way some of the games were going," Horvat said. "I mean, I think at different times in the game, certain situations, Lane just wants to know, obviously we have leads and stuff like that, so he wants to protect leads sometimes, and that's the way it goes. "Some lines always getting broken up. We're not going to stay together forever, but obviously, we prefer playing with each other."

Because of how strong the Islanders Nelson line has come out of the gate, one of the better lines in all of the National Hockey League, it seems that they are now Lambert's No. 1 line, and for good reason.

But that doesn't mean the Islanders or Lambert should have to ride that line and rely on that line for offense.

Horvat and Barzal each began eight-year extensions this season and are being paid handsomely to produce, not just on the offensive side of the puck but on the defensive side as well.

If the Islanders are going to make the playoffs for a second straight season, their newest dynamic duo will need to shore up their defensive game. 

All statistics in the article are courtesy of NaturalStatrick.com.