Bo Horvat brought a five-game point streak into Wednesday night’s match. Linemate Mathew Barzal had put together a four-game streak.
The Islanders’ top trio has been playing like one.
“I feel pretty in sync,” Barzal said before the Islanders faced the Flyers at UBS Arena. “I feel like we’re both just getting a gauge on each other on the ice. What needs to happen for our line to succeed.
“I feel like it’s been going better lately, for sure. Sometimes I’m not used to playing with a guy his caliber. He’s an elite player. Giving him space on the ice and not crowding the puck and knowing he’s going to win a battle.”
The Islanders returned to UBS Arena after a 1-1-2 western swing which ended with a 5-4 four-round shootout win in Calgary on Saturday night to snap an 0-4-3 skid.
“We’re starting to get more used to each other,” Horvat said. “He’s got tremendous skill and puck-handling ability. For me, it’s trying to get my timing and knowing where he’s going to be or how he’s going to act out there and how he’s going to maneuver around the ice. I’m starting to figure that out.”
The trip started with Horvat setting up Barzal for a one-timer goal just 40 seconds into the Islanders’ 4-1 loss in Edmonton on Nov. 13. Barzal returned the favor by setting up Horvat for a one-timer from the right circle to give the Islanders a 3-1 lead at 8:33 of the second period in their 4-3 eight-round shootout loss in Vancouver on Nov. 15. Barzal surprised everyone, including Horvat, by sending the puck back after Horvat fed him in the low slot.
Barzal had two goals and four assists in his previous four games while Horvat compiled one goal and four assists in his last five games. Each had two power-play assists in their streaks as the Islanders went 5-for-13 on the man advantage during the four-game trip.
“Pucks are just going in right now,” Horvat said. “We’re creating a lot more opportunities. We’re not trying to make the perfect play, I…
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