What did Mathew Barzal learn from Game 5 that he can use in Game 6?
Mathew Barzal is in the Islanders lineup for Wednesday nights must-win Game 6 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum, $5,000 poorer but not suspended after letting his frustration take over in Monday nights 8-0 loss at Amalie Arena. Now, coach Barry Trotz wants to see what lesson his star center learned after receiving a five-minute cross-checking major and a game misconduct  plus NHL supplemental discipline  for his hit on Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta at the end of the second period in Game 5. "I cant tell you what hes learned because I dont know that yet," said Trotz, who expressed his "disappointment" in Barzal immediately after Game 5. "Its in his hands to show you what hes learned. Mathew is a good young player and good young players, youve got to fight for your space, youve got to fight for your inches. Youre going to have to take some abuse to be a top player. "Understanding the situation, understanding the player that you can be and what we want you to be, this is just another thing you learn from to be that complete star player that you covet in this league. He has the tools. The non-skill stuff is where you see young players grow the most. Everyones gone through that." Barzal was seemingly at risk for his first NHL suspension, especially with Rutta not returning for the third period of Game 5. But the leagues Department of Player Safety did not conduct a hearing on the play and instead just fined Barzal. "Having Barzy in the lineup is huge," defenseman Nick Leddy said. "Hes a guy on our team that drives us. We all know how talented he is as a player. Everyone knows how much we need him as well."