With Tavares and Barzal both being natural centers, Tavares shifted to the left wing at Saturday's practice. Tavares has some experience playing on the wing, namely during the 2012 lockout and on the 2014 Canadian Olympic team.
"It's not my natural position, but I've played it before. I've got a lot of versatility with my game to begin with," Tavares said.
The Islanders captain said he's also comfortable playing with the free-wheeling Barzal.
"I have a good sense of his game now, I obviously know him for close to a full season and have played with him on the power play," Tavares said. "I have a sense of what makes him really good, dynamic and be able to make plays, so just read off it, make plays myself and capitalize on our chances."
With the changes, Anthony Beauvillier will shift back to his natural position as he becomes the pivot between Anders Lee and Josh Bailey. Beauvillier has largely played left wing this season for the Islanders
"He's done a lot of good things this year since coming back," Weight said of Beauvillier. "He's got the ability at a young age to either play in the middle or the wing and make some people better around him and coulee be a good compliment with that speed with Anders and Bails."
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:
| FORWARDS |
| --- |
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
| JOHN TAVARES | MATHEW BARZAL | JORDAN EBERLE |
| ANDERS LEE | ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER | JOSH BAILEY |
| ANDREW LADD | BROCK NELSON | TANNER FRITZ |
| CHRIS WAGNER | CASEY CIZIKAS | CAL CLUTTERBUCK |
| DEFENSE |
| --- |
| NICK LEDDY | JOHNNY BOYCHUK |
| ADAM PELECH | SEBASTIAN AHO |
| THOMAS HICKEY | RYAN PULOCK |
