This series was waiting for Mathew Barzal to insert himself into the proceedings after three games in which the Islanders’ superstar produced just one point.
Consider it done after a Game 4 in which Barzal scored a pair of goals, including the double-overtime winner, changed the arc of the game and drove play all night on a first line that had its best game so far.
“It’s tight out there. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a series where the checking is this tight on both sides, really,” Barzal said after the Islanders’ 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes pushed the series at least a couple of more days. “Every shift out there, our D, everyone, the checking, it’s on another level right now.”
Islanders’ 3-2 double OT win over the Capitals in Game 4. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Barzal, who operates best in space, said he did not actively approach things differently in Game 4. But, thinking out loud, said that perhaps being down 3-0 created a different approach unto itself.
“You almost can play a little more free because just the overall being down 3-0,” he said.
This was on display with Barzal’s first goal when he unleashed a shot after entering the zone and cutting back along the right wall.
That cutback is something Barzal does multiple times a game. Shooting it off the cutback is something he almost never does.
“We were on him for that,” Anders Lee said.
That goal, 10:10 into the second period, tied the game at 1-1 and opened things up for the Islanders, who had produced next to nothing through the opening 30 minutes.
“I think he was attacking,” Lee said. “He can control the puck as well as anyone in this league, but when he takes it to the net or takes it around the corner or brings the puck in, he brings it to another level. Love to see him get rewarded for that, but also give himself a chance by putting some on the net tonight.”
That is the sort of adjustment — just shooting the puck instead of playing for the perfect pass — the Islanders have wanted Barzal to make forever.
It came Saturday, just in time.
Matt Martin was out with a lower-body injury and called day-to-day.
Ruslan Iskhakov drew into the lineup, playing 5:58 in his playoff debut and second NHL game as Roy went to the young Russian over the likes of Simon Holmstrom or Oliver Wahlstrom.
“He did OK,” Roy said. “It was not easy coming in like this. For the bit he played, he gave us what we thought he was going to and I was very pleased with what I saw.”