Barzal, New York Islanders, ‘Back To Business’, Trotz Admits Mistake

“Moods great. You know it’s not all fun and games, it’s, it’s back to business,” were the first words out of New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal’s mouth following the first team skate since the debacle against the Seattle Kraken seven days ago.

A 3-0 loss on February 2nd left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. It was not so much about the result, but the severe lack of effort in a very winnable game on home ice, the last game before the All-Star break.

“I think we’re embarrassed with you know, just our effort level that game, myself included,” Mat Barzal said. “Just wasn’t good enough, especially in a game where you know, those two points are very valuable.”

“It was just just a weird hiccup for our team and you know, myself individually just was, wasn’t a good one.”

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz, who let his frustration be known following that loss last Wednesday, was asked about his message to the team. He provided that and more.

“My message was the disappointment I had and the disappointment that I felt and I give them a few reasons why,” Trotz said. “And we got to move forward.”

“I don’t know how this whole season is going to end but I do know that we need to just play as good a game on a consistent basis. We have not been consistent enough. And that’s on the group, that’s on me, that’s on everybody. We haven’t been as consistent as we need (to be). We have some guys that need to demand more of themselves. I need to demand more of them and get our consistency back…”

Trotz continued on about what he as the coach needs to do better in the second half of the season.

“Some guys (I’ve) given opportunity (to) have let me down and I stuck with them because of what they’ve done in the past or, you know what I think they may do,” Trotz said. “Sometimes I’ve had a little slower trigger finger on certain things.”

“This year has not gone the way I wanted it to go. Not gone the way I envisioned but you know, we got to stay in the moment and just take care of what we’re doing today get better and just work our way to a position where the winner more hockey games on a consistent basis.”

One of the fan base’s biggest complaints against Trotz this season has been the leash length for veterans compared to the younger players.

There has been a double standard, a standard that exists on all teams in every sport. But with how the Islanders season has gone on, there is no room left for mediocrity. If veterans are not living up to expectations, Trotz has now voiced the need for players to step up, not calling anyone out specifically but sending an overall message to his squad.

Only time will tell if Trotz follows his words here in the second half.

The Islanders are 17 points out of a wild-card spot and start a four-game road trip Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks. More on that matchup later today, with the start time not until 10:30 PM ET on TNT.