No Tavares, no prob for Isles
Trotz era starts with OT win
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders don’t have John Tavares anymore. They still have playmakers.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Mathew Barzal set up Josh Bailey’s power-play winner 43 seconds into overtime, and the Islanders began their post-Tavares era — and the beginning of the Barry Trotz coaching regime — by beating the Hurricanes 2-1 Thursday night.
“That whole power play has been really good through the preseason,” Trotz said. “[Bailey] understands the spots. Obviously, it runs through Mathew on that one side. They’ve got a real good understanding.”
Valtteri Filppula also scored as the Islanders gave Trotz a victory in his debut with the team and spoiled Rod Brind’Amour’s first game behind the Carolina bench.
“The amount of work this whole staff has put in has been pretty remarkable, and the amount of information coming our way is overwhelming at times,” Islanders alternate captain Cal Clutterbuck said. “Good to see him get that first one. He’s a seasoned guy and I think he’s prepared us well.”
Trotz took over shortly after leading Washington to its first Stanley Cup, taking over after Doug Weight was fired.
Brind’Amour, the captain of Carolina’s Cupwinning team in 2006, replaced Bill Peters after he left for Calgary.
Tavares signed with Toronto as a free agent.
Jordan Staal sent the game into OT by scoring a deflected goal with 1:35 remaining in regulation for Carolina, but the Islanders started overtime with a four-on-three advantage after Micheal Ferland was called for tripping Barzal with 3.2 seconds left.
Barzal threaded a crossice pass from the circle to Bailey, who ended it by snapping the puck past Petr Mrazek.
Mrazek stopped 18 shots for Carolina.
Thomas Greiss made 45 saves for the Islanders, and for a long while appeared headed for another saveheavy shutout in Raleigh.
He had also stopped 45 shots in a 3-0 victory over Carolina on Feb. 16.