Islanders Beat Flyers Lost in the New York Islanders 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-win-2nd-straight-defeat-flyers-3-2] on Wednesday night was Lane Lambert [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-lane-lambert-penalties-accountability]'s good utilization of shortening the bench late in the game. No, it wasn't Oliver Wahlstrom or Pierre Engvall whose skates didn't hit the ice in the final 5:22 of the third period with the Islanders up 3-1, then 3-2. It was star forward Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-win-2nd-straight-defeat-flyers-3-2]. The 27-year-old had been playing some of the best hockey of his career as of late, entering Friday's game on a four-game point streak, with two goals and two assists, to bring his point total to 15 through 17 games. As someone who transitions the puck as much as Barzal does, turnover numbers are always going to be higher. But some of the turnovers Wednesday night were blatant mistakes that were worrisome, especially on the power play, which has been red hot as of late. Not worrisome in the sense that Barzal's game is trending in the wrong direction or anything like that. But, in a game where the Islanders jumped out on top early and had a lead on home ice in a game New York needed, Barzal's struggles weren't helping the cause, with four turnovers and a handful of errant passes. So, Lambert decided to go into full defense mode, knowing the importance of locking down a third-period lead, which has been the Islanders' most vital issue this season. Anders Lee took shifts with Bo Horvat and the defensive Simon Holmstrom. Wahlstrom and Engvall didn't play the final 4:04. Sebastian Aho didn't play the final 5:44. Lambert knows during a game who's on top of the game and who is struggling and has shown a willingness to try and make the right decisions. Sometimes, they work out. Other times, they don't. Earlier this season, Lambert sat Pierre Engvall late in a game against the Minnesota Wild after a costly turnover before sitting one of the catalysts of one of the better lines in the NHL in a game against the elite Boston Bruins. The chat from the Islanders faithful went along the lines of, "If Lambert is going to sit Engvall for a turnover, would he do it to Barzal?" We have our answer. Lambert wanted his defensive forwards out there as much as possible — he trusted his gut. And that's a sure positive for a head coach who, despite his gut being wrong the first time, still trusted his gut, and it paid off. Confidence isn't just a player thing. Barzal will likely be flying once the puck drops against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night, hoping to help extend the Islanders' winning streak to a modest three games.
