Ilya Sorokin chat EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] center-turned-winger Mathew Barzal is headed back to his natural position for now. The 27-year-old, who has played the last two games at center ice alongside Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pagaeu, will be there yet again when the Islanders face the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/] on Saturday night up north. Also, Anthony Duclair is likely to return to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 19. Islanders head coach Patrick Roy provided two reasons why Barzal being back at the center is advantageous for the Islanders. BARZAL'S COMFORTABILITY Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNTM3NjMxMzk2MjQyOTc5/usatsi_24994404.jpg] Barzal has been a centerman all his life and has built his game to fit that mold. He's a puck possession with great vision and an ability to weave through the neutral zone and help his team get established in the offensive zone. While Barzal is coming off a tremendous season playing wing (23 goals, 57 assists, 80 GP), his first full season as a right winger alongside Bo Horvat, he is not always the possessor, which takes away from what he can do. Let's be clear. Barzal is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, and if Roy feels that his back at center helps the team win, No. 13 is completely on board. "I think he's excited to play center," Roy said. "He skates with the puck. He had a great game against Carolina. I mean, even [against] Chicago had a lot of puck possession. And against Carolina, I think that line had over five chances. So, I mean, it was a good game by them." It's clear that Roy likes Barzal down the middle. "I like him as a center because he could skate with the puck more. Feels like it's easier for him. I think it's his natural position, in a way," Roy said. MAKING OPPOSING COACHES THINK MORE Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNTEzNjM5MTcyMDU2MjIz/usatsi_25011810.jpg] When Barzal is at the wing, he's more or less been skating alongside Horvat. While people may think the two together make the team more dynamic--not saying fans are wrong, and time will tell if Barzal back at center, not with Horvat, pays off--it also allows the opposition to hone in on that line. Simply put, especially when the opponent is at home, they can wait to see who Roy puts out on the ice and match up accordingly. More often than not, the opponent is going to put out their best shutdown forward line and their top defense pairing against No. 13 and No. 14. But if Barzal is at center, not with Horvat -- Saturday's morning story will dive into this more--the opposition has to think a bit more and really strategize. "What I also like is having the centers [we have]. We have Nelson, Horvat, Barzal, and Cizikas. It's a lot tougher for the other teams to match up," Roy said. "They send their first pairing against line one. Now, they have to make decisions on who they are gonna send against the three lines. "So sometimes they're gonna see the third pairing more. And I think it's an advantage for us." FINAL THOUGHTS Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNTM3NjMxMzk2MjQyOTc5/usatsi_24994404.jpg] I know what you are thinking? Barzal doesn't win face-offs, so how is this going to work? Although he's won 5-of-8 since returning from his injury, Barzal is a career 42.3% face-off man, winning 43.8% this season. Roy knows this and that's why Jean-Gabriel Pageau is skating on his wing. No. 44 has been one of the best face-off men in the NHL, at 59.9% this season. There's no question that he's likely to take the majority of draws between the two, which he's done over the last two games (15-for-19). And yes, you are also still concerned about him being separate from Horvat. Sleep tight and enjoy your Friday night, and I'll have it for you when you wake up.
