Islanders Fall 3-1 to Predators in Dying Seconds of Third New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-nashvile-predators-3-1-loss-stan-fischler] head coach Lane Lambert elected to separate Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-mathew-barzal-all-star-game-toronto-jersey] and Bo Horvat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/bo-horvat-new-york-islanders-vancouver-canucks-trade-lamoriello] Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs due to Casey Cizikas' injury. The 31-year-old center suffered a lower-body injury after blocking a shot against the Vancouver Canucks in their 5-2 loss, an injury that will keep him out of the lineup for a while as he's week-to-week. In the 4-3 overtime win over Toronto, Horvat was able to produce chances without Barzal, as his line with Anders Lee [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/anders-lee-new-york-islanders-2023-stanley-cup-playoffs-28-goals-captain] and Oliver Wahlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/oliver-wahlstrom-new-york-islanders-contract-qualifying-offer-injury-free-agency] was on the ice for seven shots compared to their opponent's five in 6:15 minutes. When Barzal's line was on the ice, skating alongside Kyle Palmieri [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/kyle-palmieri-new-york-islanders-brock-nelson-pierre-engvall] and Simon Holmstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/islanders-simon-holmstrom-goes-1-on-1-i-have-more-to-give], they were outshot 5-3 in 6:43 minutes. Barzal and Horvat played 6:28 together, alongside Lee, and were on the ice for five shots for and against. In the game against the Nashville Predators, a 3-1 loss on Saturday night, Horvat's line had five shots to the Predators' five in five minutes of action. Barzal's line was only on the ice for two shots for, allowing two shots against, in 5:04 minutes. The duo was on the ice for five shots on goal, with the Predators getting six in 6:37 minutes. This season, when the two have been together at 5-on-5, the Islanders have outshot their opponents 332 to 251, outscoring opponents 30-19. When Horvat has been without Barzal, the Islanders have been outshot 68-47, outscoring opponents 4-3. On the flip side, when Barzal hasn't had Horvat on the ice with him, the Islanders have been outshot 84-54 and have been outscored 8-4, per NaturalStatrick.com. Getting them back together full-time is paramount to the Islanders having more success, especially in transition. Here are three ways for that to happen. DOUBLE SHIFT Rather than separating Barzal and Horvat, Lambert could run three strong lines and double-shift Horvat, Brock Nelson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/brock-nelson-new-york-islanders-stan-fischler-stefen-rosner], and Jean-Gabriel Pageau [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/jean-gabriel-pageau-new-york-islanders-milestone-watch-2023-24] when he needs to play the fourth line. It's not uncommon for other teams to barely use their fourth line, and the Islanders' top six -- the typical Horvat and Nelson lines -- had played like an actual top six for most of this season before a fall-off in play from Pierre Engvall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/kyle-palmieri-new-york-islanders-brock-nelson-pierre-engvall]and Palmieri. But it's still their strongest lineup. Double-shifting is something that Lambert's already done in these games when he has put Horvat and Barzal back together. While we are on this subject, Lambert could also run 11 forwards and seven defensemen -- albeit not ideal heading into a back-to-back --, but he has the extra defenseman in Samuel Bolduc [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-samuel-bolduc-two-year-extension-defenseman-rfa] if he wants to go that route. RECALL A CENTER Despite being week to week, the Islanders decided not to place Cizikas on injured reserve (must miss seven days, retroactive to the date of injury), which would have created a roster spot. The Islanders haven't placed Cizikas on any list yet, but they could still do so, allowing them to recall a centerman from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Whether that would be Kyle MacLean [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/casey-cizikas-new-york-islanders-kyle-maclean-karson-kuhlman-brian-pinho] to make his NHL debut, veteran Karson Kuhlman, or even Otto Koivual, there are options in Bridgeport that could help fill a significant need in the lineup, even if it's in a limited role. MAKE A TRADE Currently, the Islanders have $3.437 million in cap space, with defenseman Ryan Pulock [https://www.google.com/search?q=pulock+ltir+bortu&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS979US979&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgcIARAuGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMgcIAxAAGIAEMgcIBBAAGIAEMgkIBRBFGDsYgAQyBggGEEUYPTIGCAcQRRg80gEIMTUxOWowajSoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] and his $6.15 million on long-term injured reserve. That gives them the financial ability to make a deal, and if Cizikas goes on injured reserve, as mentioned above, that would create the roster spot needed to bring in another player. If Cizikas is going to miss more than 10 games AND 24 days, the Islanders could place him on long-term injured reserve, adding another $2.5 million to their pockets -- until the 31-year-old center is ready to return. That means Cizikas would have to miss 10 games from the date of the injury AND 24 days and would be intelligible to return until after the All-Star break. So that part would be risky if the Islanders think he can return before then. But let's say the Islanders go that route. Here's a name that could fit the role: Adam Henrique [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/henriad01.html]. The 33-year-old centerman has been the subject of trade talks for the last few years, but with the Anaheim Ducks struggling again, the pending unrestricted free agent will likely be on the move. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNjI1MjkwNzA5MDg0MDkx/usatsi_22232008.jpg] Healthy for all 41 games, Henrique has 10 goals and 12 assists, winning 53.8 percent of his draws and playing second-line center. He is in the final year of a five-year deal with a cap hit of $5.825 million. Henrique's contract contains a modified no-trade clause with a list of 10 teams he does not want to be traded to. It's rather likely that the Ducks would retain 50 percent of Henrique's deal, making his cap hit $2.95 million, allowing the Islanders to fit him into their plans regardless of whether Cizikas' contract comes off the books. Back at the 2008 NHL Draft, current Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello drafted Henrique with the New Jersey Devils 82nd pick in the draft. So, there's the Lamoriello connection. Henrique could fill in as the Islanders' third-line center, allowing Pageau to remain with the fourth line until Cizikas can return. As for what the Islanders would have to give up, it would likely cost a second-round selection and a prospect. That said, the Anaheim Ducks clearly like their United States National Development Team Program players, recently trading for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier while already having Trevor Zegras on board. Islanders forward Wahlstrom, who signed a one-year qualifying offer this summer, hasn't played much this season, and when he has, he's been underwhelming. He was a product of the USNDTP. The 23-year-old forward is coming off his best showing of the season in their 3-1 loss to the Predators. What do the Islanders do when Cizikas is ready to come back? Henrique can play the wing and slot in on the third line, flipping Simon Holmstrom to his natural right-wing position. The grizzled veteran can also play in the top six if Lambert isn't sold on putting his go-to second line back together. FINAL THOUGHTS If the Islanders want to start winning consistently, they will need Barzal and Horvat to play together as much as possible. Yes, the Islanders have looked strong with these new-look lineups over the last two games, but it's not an ideal situation to have the dynamic duo separated for any length of time during a game. The Islanders will practice in Minnesota Sunday at 4 PM ET ahead of their 6 PM ET matchup with the Wild Monday night.
