Trotz has 'moderate' concern about Barzal's availability for Game 6
New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has "moderate" concern regarding Mathew Barzal's availability for the club's potential series-clinching contest Thursday, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
"I think everything is trending in the right direction right now. Hopefully by tomorrow we'll have more specifics," Trotz said.
The blue-chip pivot exited Game 5 on Tuesday after taking an inadvertent stick up high from Flyers captain Claude Giroux late in the third period and did not return.
I’m sure will hopefully get an update on Mathew Barzal in a little bit. But here’s where he got hurt in case anyone missed it. #Isles pic.twitter.com/9PSx1sFmpg
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) September 2, 2020
Barzal is the Islanders' most dynamic offensive talent and led the club with 60 points through 68 games this season. The 23-year-old has tallied four goals and 11 points through 14 playoff contests and paces all Islanders forwards in average ice time per game (18:33).
New York will get its second chance at advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 1993 on Thursday.